Los Angeles County reported nearly 45,000 new cases of COVID-19 this weekend, an alarmingly high number in light of the typical delays in weekend reporting. Officials reported 23,553 new cases for Saturday, and another 21,200 positive tests Sunday, after a one-day record of 27,091 new infections were reported Friday.
The omicron-fueled surge that is sending COVID-19 cases rocketing in the U.S. is putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers, and experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.
Top financial institutions have concluded that while most businesses were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses within the personal care and retail sectors will have a longer path to recovery than most, having seen a 45% decrease in revenue in 2020.
I don’t think that more than 400,000 people dead is normal. The inability to formally mourn our departed loved ones isn’t normal. Crazy white people storming the Capitol surely isn’t normal. And conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Green is so far away from normal that she is on the insanity spectrum.
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a mobile vaccination program today aimed at bringing COVID-19 vaccines to neighborhoods with the highest rates of the virus and coronavirus-related deaths.
Last weekend, Los Angeles slowly opened specific sectors of stores for the first time since March. Mother’s Day weekend embarked on new territory for the City of Los Angeles; as of May 8, thousands of businesses opened for curbside service. L.A. looked to their elected officials to guide the following steps into recovery. The effects will come to light in the following weeks. Monday, May 11 L.A. County shared their updated news surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, they clarified what future moves will be taken into economic recovery. Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer disclosed statistics surrounding the positive cases and COVID-19 related death rates within the Los Angeles region. The city is still far from uplifting all the Safer at Home Order directives, but public officials share their deliberations with the community about future steps in relaxing a few details in the Safer at Home Order.
Mayor Eric Garcetti continues to keep Los Angeles informed; Wednesday, April 15. The elected public official shared in full transparency, there is no certain date for life to go back to the way it was. Mayor Garcetti shared five pillars to get L.A. on the right track to strategically lift quarantine guidelines and construct a new normal. The Los Angeles Mayor believes Testing, surveillance, immediate response, Hospital Capacity, and ongoing research will give L.A. a fighting chance and continue our progress post pandemic. The L.A. elected official broke down the health aspect, but also the economic disproportion that needed to be addressed.
Another update within testing for COVID-19, 1,000 random L.A. residents will be tested with a serologic or an antibody test. This test does not detect the actual virus, it detects the triggered antibodies surrounding the virus. It will be able to detect current or past infections. This will be able to determine who may have had the virus in the past, but never revealed any symptoms. The random testing will be going on for the next few months. The last update was the use of cloth coverings, wearing some type of covering while being outside was highly stressed. It is recommended that the cloth covers be made of cotton. Before putting on your face, it is suggested to wash your hands. Children that are two and under should not use cloth face coverings and parents should monitor available coverings for young children. The new updates behind the Stay at Home order assist L.A. County Officials prepare for the recovery stages of COVID-19.
Joseph Nicchitta, Director of Consumer and Business Affairs disclosed there is a motion among the county official table, detailing a relief fund for small businesses. The goal for the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is to provide timely and accurate information. This level of office is looking to cover multiple tiers of business, such as the “Gig” economy and business owners where English is their secondary language. As of March 26. There is a central hub for information, The Business and Worker Disaster Health Center. Assistance from established business personnel directly from the Department of Consumer and Business, and other public departments are available within that function to assist those in need. Collectively there are nine languages available within this central hub. The Emergency Operations Center are pulling together federal and local aid to support the fragile immune system of our economy.
Monday, March 30. Los Angeles city officials publicized latest updates surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The county has partnered with local cities to secure additional hotels and motels to be used for multiple functions at this time. The Los Angeles tax collector and treasurer disclosed more information about payment arrangements for property tax, as we approach the deadline on April 10. The Emergency Operations center remains to be the focal resource for information during this time of crisis.
Newsom said he is directing more than $42 million in emergency funding to expand California’s healthcare infrastructure as hospitals brace for an influx of patients.
Thursday, March 19. county and city officials gathered to explain new California Executive Order N-33-20, also known as, “Safer at Home, Stay at home” order. The new state regulation mandates all non-essential businesses to comply with social distancing guidelines by closing, secondary businesses in L.A. will be closed until April 19, with a possibility of an extension. The Safer at home, stay at home order suspends “any public or private gatherings of any size that would occur outside of a single home.” There are occupations exempt from the juridical act of the stay home order. Jobs such as emergency personnel, first responders, and government employees are permitted to go to work in order to keep the city’s infrastructure. Mayor Garcetti expressed this “new way of living” will be beneficial for overall health and human preservation, it will also provide support in flattening the curve of the spread COVID-19.
The overall number of coronavirus cases in L.A. County stood at 231 today — out of a state total of 675 — and a second person in the county has died from the virus.
There has been city issued orders to close public placements, that includes restaurants, movie theaters, and bars. Health inspectors are out assuring exposed environments are compliant with social distancing guidelines. Barbara closed by showing gratitude to all essential service workers which include; grocery store employees, hospitals, pharmacist, first responders, public safety, and public health agencies, she recognized these groups are the foundation to maintaining the city’s infrastructure.
Four Brooklyn Nets players have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing the total to seven known players in the NBA.
The team announced Tuesday that one player is exhibiting symptoms, while the other three are asymptomatic. All four players have been isolated and are under the care of team physicians.