Friday, July 10, 2020
According to the World Health Organization, the coronavirus can remain airborne and infect people even as they practice social distancing.
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer revealed that as some people are still refusing to wear masks in public, enforcement of some kind could be coming our way. — ABC 7
In a grim address to the city, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti told Angelenos that hospitalizations are still on the rise. Garcetti also noted that the region was down to 405 available hospital beds, with 113 ICU beds remaining. — Deadline
And as temperatures flare this weekend, the mayor also reminded residents of the importance of adhering to public health guidelines: “Gatherings large and small are a major source of spread,” he said. “Even though we know it’s going to be very hot this weekend, it’s not a green light for a pool party or barbecue.” — KTLA
According to revised guidelines from the World Health Organization, the coronavirus can linger in the air indoors, potentially for hours, infecting people even as they practice social distancing. WHO officials recommend avoiding enclosed spaces with poor ventilation as well as large gatherings of people. — L.A. Times
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Garcetti Warns Second Stay-at-Home Order Possible if Cases Continue to Rise
As the number of people getting tested for COVID-19 increases nationwide, so does the time patients have to wait for results.
Mayor Eric Garcetti warned Angelenos that L.A. could face a second mandatory stay-at-home order should coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to rise. According to the mayor, people should stay at home as much as possible and “assume everyone around you is infectious.” — ABC 7
COVID-19 in California by the numbers: 9,690 new confirmed cases (302,483 total); 136 new deaths (6,859 total). — L.A. Times
As more people are tested for the coronavirus, the wait-time for results grows longer. Health experts recommend that patients act as if they have COVID-19 while they wait for results. “The fact that we can’t quickly get results back so that other people are not unintentionally exposed is the reason we are continuing in this spiral with COVID-19,” said Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. — L.A. Times
Following some discouraging earlier reports, county health officials say a majority of inspected restaurants in L.A. County are now following health guidelines to slow the spread of the coronavirus. — Eater Los Angeles
A petition is making the rounds in Orange County asking that restaurants publicly report COVID-19 outbreaks among staff, however, health officials in O.C. say they “have no immediate plans” to disclose that data. — Eater Los Angeles
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
As Demand Outpaces Supply, Officials Pivot on Who Should Get Tested
Local health officials tell schools to prepare to continue online learning.
In the past 24 hours, the state reported 11,694 new cases, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Cases and hospitalizations also continue to surge. — Deadline
County officials are shifting their recommendations on who should get tested to people who are showing symptoms, work in a high-risk environment or have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus. — L.A. Times
Eligible renters in need of assistance due to the coronavirus pandemic can apply for $2,000 in funds from the city. Registration for the Emergency Renters Relief Program begins Monday, July 13 and ends Friday, July 17. Visit hcidla.lacity.org for more information. — KTLA
Several restaurants in Orange County have temporarily closed to deep clean and sanitize after finding out one or more employees were exposed to or infected with COVID-19. — The Orange County Register
As confirmed cases of the coronavirus continue to rise, all public and private schools must prepare to continue distance learning protocols, according to a leaked call between school representatives and county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “Every single school district at this point needs to have plans in place to continue distance learning for 100% of the time,” Ferrer said. “We would be irresponsible if we didn’t say to you that you have to have the back-up plan ready.” — KTLA
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
How Did We Get Here? L.A. County Coronavirus Cases Hit New High
L.A. County sees yet another peak in COVID-19 cases, leading us to ask: How did we get here?
The L.A. County Department of Public Health points the finger at young Angelenos for driving the recent increase in coronavirus cases. Fifty percent of new cases reported are from those between the ages of 18 and 40. — Fox 11
We’ve hit a brand-new high and hospitalizations are also increasing:
How did we end up here — from being the poster child of proactive measures to the country’s latest hot spot? The simple answer is we let our guard down. — Vox
Inside the LASH — formerly the St. Vincent Medical Center, turned Los Angeles Surge Hospital — which during the course of 39 days and $21.5 million in operating costs before its closure, treated 64 patients. Ninety percent of patients were Latinx and largely uninsured. “LASH was a representation of how COVID disproportionately affects Latino communities.” — L.A. Times
You may not have known they were closed to begin with, but Los Angeles will reopen hazard waste disposal centers this Saturday. — My News L.A.
Reopening L.A. improved mental health, but at what cost? — L.A. Times
Monday, July 6, 2020
Coronavirus Cases Hit New High; Cops Still Spotted Without Masks
A new high in single-day COVID-19 cases in L.A. County over the weekend as cops are still spotted without masks despite mandates.
As officials resume reporting after “data processing improvements,” the numbers from Friday, Saturday and Sunday are in: 7,232 cumulative cases, with Friday’s count of 3,187 indicating a new record in single-day cases. — CBS L.A.
The arts have been hit particularly hard by the economic impact of COVID-19: Employment has fallen 39% in the sector. — Deadline
Winery and hospitality company Plumpjack, tied to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and two other state legislators, received $350,000 in federal COVID-19 aid from the Paycheck Protection Program. — KTLA
Most of the farmworkers at Villa Las Brisas in Oxnard — 188 out of 216 — have tested positive for the coronavirus, highlighting the vulnerability of migrant farmworkers who often live in close quarters. — NBC 4
In spite of being told to wear masks, many L.A. cops are still spotted without them. — LAist