The state’s positivity rate – how many people tested positive compared to the total number tested – has also increased in recent days, such as hospitalization, which has risen by almost 30% in two weeks, the governor said.

The governor points to family gatherings

Newsom chided residents who held private events at their homes, including family gatherings, children’s play dates and birthday parties.

“Many of us seem to have cabin fever. Some of us, I think, develop a little amnesia. Others have just honestly lowered their guard,” the governor said on Wednesday.

“People are mingling and that is increasing the spread of the virus,” he added.

The governor’s words echoed reports from several parts of the country where health officials linked a number of new cases to family gatherings.

“Avoid meeting at home with people who don’t live in the same house,” local officials wrote.

Cases in younger people

The governor also noted an increase in the number of young people who tested positive for the virus.

“There is a feeling that many young people, both of you are young so you feel a little more invincible but, with respect, often that can be a selfish mindset,” Newsom said.

Even if younger people may not show many symptoms, they are still spreading the virus.

“And they can spread it to people who can’t handle the virus like younger, healthier people,” he said.

The governor’s warning is in accordance with that made by leaders of cities and other US states – including throughout the South – who say more and more young people are testing positive.

Officials across the country have pointed to parties, bars and other gatherings as the venue for the spread.

It is unclear whether the protests impacted

Because of the high volume of incoming cases, officials have not been able to “determine whether the source of the right exposure is a protest,” said Los Angeles County Health Director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer.

“I want to say that it’s very possible, given the increasing numbers we see that some of these are actually people who might be in a crowded situation in one of the protests where there is spread,” Ferrer said.

CNN has contacted the district health department for further details.

The state health department said last weekend there was not enough data to “assess the impact of the recent protests.”

In San Francisco, officials said several testing sites offering free testing did not ask people to be tested whether they had recently participated in a demonstration.

And in Alameda District, spokesman Neetu Balram said in a statement there was still no “clear correlation between protest activities and an increase in testing or positive cases.”

“We monitor our data constantly to inform our guidelines and reopen actions. We encourage anyone who protests to be tested,” the statement said.

Some prisons are cause for concern

Following reporters’ questions during his press conference, Newsom also cited a number of prisons as a matter of state.

One of them – the San Quentin State Prison – has more than 450 inmates who have tested positive. About 42% of detainees at the facility are medically vulnerable, Newsom said.

And according to data from the state’s correction department, 433 new cases at the facility came in the past two weeks.

The governor said the state recently submitted a plan to the court to ask a number of prisoners approaching their release date to be released from prison early, to help reduce the population of the facility.

The process will begin July 1 and will be accelerated for facilities such as San Quentin, Newsom said.