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Friday, March 26, 2021
L.A. County’s COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped below 700 for the first time since October, according to public health officials.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in L.A. County dropped below 700 for the first time since October of last year, public health officials announced Friday. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 859 new cases of COVID-19 and 39 related deaths today. Officials said more than 200 of those cases are associated with a backlog of lab reports. There are 692 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county, with 26% receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
After administering nearly half a million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, the federally-run vaccination sites at California State University, Los Angeles and the RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland will close April 11, officials announced Friday. Federal and state officials said they are “coordinating closely with local officials on the possibility of reusing the two sites.” — KTLA
Today, Long Beach became one of California’s first jurisdictions to expand vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 and older, almost a week ahead of schedule, as the state is set to open up eligibility to the vaccine for anyone in that age group starting April 1. Long Beach officials have not indicated whether the city will also make vaccinations available to anyone 16 and older ahead of the April 15 state guideline. — Long Beach Post
Thursday, March 25, 2021
California to Expand Vaccine Eligibility to All Residents 16 and Older April 15
Los Angeles County marks a grim milestone as COVID-19 deaths in the region top 23,000.
Los Angeles County public health officials recorded 608 new cases of COVID-19 and 66 related deaths Thursday. To date, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has identified 1,216,250 infections and 23,020 deaths. There are 729 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in L.A. County, with 23% receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
All Californians 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on April 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday, as state officials anticipate an increase in the vaccine supply. Residents 50 and older will be able to sign up for a vaccination appointment starting April 1. — Patch
L.A. County residents who lost family members to COVID-19 will be able to apply for financial assistance to cover funeral costs next month, according to the county Office of Emergency Management. Applicants may receive up to $9,000 per funeral and up to $35,500 per application, as residents can apply for help covering costs for multiple funerals. To qualify, applicants must provide a death certificate listing the coronavirus as the cause of death, as well as receipts showing the cost of the funeral. — CBS Los Angeles
San Diego County officials have identified two cases of a coronavirus variant first discovered in Brazil which can reinfect people who have already been infected by other varieties. One of the infected people lives in the area, while the other recently entered the country from Mexico and is not a local resident. “The resident of San Diego County had no travel history, so that means that there must be at least one other case in San Diego,” said Dr. Eric McDonald, medical director of the county’s epidemiology department. — Los Angeles Times
The Natural History Museum will reopen April 1, and the La Brea Tar Pits April 8, officials announced Tuesday. Guests will be required to wear a face covering and purchase their tickets in advance. All visitors will be provided with styluses so they can use touchscreens in the museum without having to make physical contact with them. — Patch
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
California Prisons to Resume In-Person Visitations
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced it will start enforcing parking ordinances next week.
Los Angeles County public health officials recorded 666 new cases of COVID-19 and 92 related deaths Wednesday. There are 719 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 in the county, with 25% of them receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
L.A. County may see a further rolling back of restrictions by early April due to a declining COVID-19 case rate. However, Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County’s public health director, warned residents Wednesday that highly infectious coronavirus variants appear to be spreading across the region, heightening the need for continued mask-wearing and infection control measures. Out of 73 coronavirus specimens examined over the past week, 34% were identified as being the California variant, and 29% were identified as the variant first found in the U.K. “This signifies that 63% of the variant sequences this past week are what we call ‘variants of concern’ because they have the probability of increased transmissibility and potentially more severe disease,” she said. — NBC Los Angeles
Some California prisons are set to resume in-person visitations for inmates on April 10, per the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Each facility will determine whether it is safe to resume visitations depending on the number of active infections among staff and inmates. All visitors will be required to wear a face covering and undergo a temperature check and COVID-19 test. — Patch
Under revised state guidelines, Californians will be allowed to attend outdoor sporting events starting April 1. And today, the Dodgers released a set of protocols for Dodger Stadium just in time for the team’s home opener scheduled for April 9. The new rules include digital-only tickets, physically distanced pods of two to six people and cash-less and contact-free sales in the stadium. — NBC Los Angeles
Los Angeles County sheriffs will resume enforcing state and county parking ordinances starting April 1, following a hiatus due to the pandemic. Cars parked in street sweeping zones will be cited, as will cars with an expired registration, and those with a delinquent registration for more than six months will be towed, according to officials. — Pasadena Now
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Los Angeles County Inches Toward Less-Restrictive Orange Tier
Evidence shows vaccinations are starting to curb the spread of COVID-19 across L.A. County, according to public health director Barbara Ferrer.
Los Angeles County public health officials reported 490 new cases of COVID-19 and 66 related deaths Tuesday. There are 713 people currently hospitalized with the virus, with 25% of them receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
L.A. County’s average daily rate of new coronavirus infections fell to 3.7 per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s latest tally, putting the region on track to move into the less-restrictive orange tier in California’s reopening blueprint. Counties qualify for the orange tier if their case rate is 3.9 or less. Before L.A. County can make the move, it has to remain in the red tier — which the region entered on March 12 — for a minimum of three weeks. The county must also meet the orange tier criteria for two consecutive weeks. — Deadline, Long Beach Post
The latest figures show that COVID-19 vaccinations are starting to curb the virus’s spread in the region, L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer announced Monday, citing the falling number of nursing home residents and health care workers becoming infected. “I think this is good news — lots of people vaccinated, much lower rates of transmission,” she said. — KTLA
Band, drum line, choir and drama events can now resume following revisions to the state’s coronavirus guidelines for youth sports announced Monday. This is the third time public health officials have made changes to the youth sports guidance since it was first issued last week. Initially, sideline cheer, band and drum line events were not allowed to take place. State officials are also reviewing rules regarding spectators at youth and adult sporting events. — Patch
Monday, March 22, 2021
AstraZeneca Study Shows Vaccine is 79% Effective at Preventing Symptomatic Infections
A long-term vaccination site opened Monday for residents in Southeast Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County health officials confirmed 516 new cases of COVID-19 and 9 related deaths Monday. To date, the L.A. County Department of Public Health has identified 1,214,683 infections and 22,806 deaths. There are 750 currently hospitalized with the virus in the county. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Southeast Los Angeles residents can now get a COVID-19 shot at the region’s first long-term vaccination site in the City of Bell. Eligible residents in Southeast L.A. can make an appointment by calling (323) 538-7802 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by emailing [email protected] — ABC Los Angeles
In a study of 30,000 people, AstraZeneca found that its COVID-19 vaccine was 79% effective at preventing symptomatic infections. There were also zero instances of severe illnesses or hospitalization among vaccinated volunteers. According to the drugmaker, independent safety monitors found no serious side effects. The company announced plans to file an application with the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization of its vaccine in the coming weeks. — The Associated Press
Breweries, distilleries and wineries may now reopen for indoor service at 25% capacity if food is provided, following changes to the county’s health order that went into effect over the weekend. Establishments that do not serve food may open for outdoor service with certain restrictions, including reservations and 90-minute limits for all guests. Limited-service businesses, like bank and credit union branches, check cashing services and dry cleaners, are also permitted to resume indoors operations at 50% capacity. — Spectrum News 1