LOS ANGELES (AP) — Thirteen counties in the Greater Sacramento region of California are falling under the strictest coronavirus restrictions as the pandemic brings a surge in deaths and hospitalizations.

The region will fall under the state’s stay-at-home curbs on businesses and restaurant dining just before midnight Thursday. More than half of the state's population already is under those restrictions as they quickly run out of intensive care beds because of COVID-19.

Los Angeles County has recorded more than 8,000 virus deaths. County health director Barbara Ferrer gave a sob Thursday as she announced the numbers and said the death rate is soaring.