According to the CDCs current map of Covid deaths from January 2020 - January 2021, California is on the low end of the spectrum for Covid deaths.
I call BS on this article.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_deathsper100k
It very well might be BS.
I used to be a pro at filtering BS and hype from reality. These last 10 years have not been so kind to that talent.
Hard for me to say one way or another. Personally 3 cousins of mine have died from Covid-19 in November from being at a funeral (open-air). Not smart!