SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Gov. Gavin Newsom is sticking to a mid-May projection of when the COVID-19 outbreak will reach its peak in California. While confirmed cases and deaths are rising in California, the rate of hospitalizations and intensive-care placements – a key indicator of resources the state needs – have been increasing more slowly. Newsom said they rose less than 5% over the weekend. A new analysis by researchers at the University of Washington shows California will hit its peak of COVID-19 deaths on April 17. Newsom isn’t changing his forecast for the state but he and the researchers agree things will worsen if people stop social distancing.