As in Arizona, the pandemic is starting to take a toll on the Mexican state of Sonora not seen in months.

On Thursday, 34 new COVID-19 deaths were announced, the largest number seen since August, perhaps the darkest month of Sonora’s pandemic to date, according to state data tracked by the University of Sonora.

That tragic figure comes after several weeks of sustained growth in daily cases. The picture at hospitals in some of Sonora’s most important cities is also dire.

Statewide, public hospitals are more than half full, and private facilities are approaching 80% occupancy. But in the sizable border city of San Luis Rio Colorado, hospitals are approaching 100% , and are at 80% in Hermosillo, the capital and largest city, according to a state release.

The troubling trends come during a month when many gather for holiday parties known as posadas, which health officials are urging Sonorans to avoid.