With a population of around 40 million, the country's most populous state saw its deaths from COVID-19 rise by 142 to reach 10,011 over the past 24 hours, the department said in its daily report.

Meanwhile, confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state increased by 8,436 to reach 538,416, it added.

There have been 8,596,882 tests conducted in California, which represent an increase of 96,419 over the prior 24-hour reporting period.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly across California, which remains the worst-hit state in the United States.

Experts say the real number of people infected is unknown and likely much higher than official tallies. 

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