header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
July 3
1925 - By letter, Wyatt Earp beseeches his friend William S. Hart to portray him in a movie, to correct the "lies about me." Hart never did. [story]
Hart-Wyatt Earp


| Monday, Jun 22, 2020
spike
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19. | Image: World Health Organization.

 

For three days in a row, Los Angeles County saw a spike of 2,000 new daily cases of COVID-19, marking some of the fastest spreads of the novel coronavirus in the nation.

“While many of us are done with this virus, unfortunately, this virus is not done with us,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer on Monday.

Nearly 86,000 Angelenos have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far, according to health officials. That figure includes a spike of 2,571 new confirmed cases Monday and likely points to a higher rate of community transmission, which means health officials are seeing an increase among people who did not know they were infected, showed no symptoms and spread the virus to others.

“What we really saw today and I think what we’ve been seeing all along is what I would call a real increase that’s attributed to community transmission,” said Ferrer during the COVID-19 broadcast update.

The daily death rate has fallen in the last few weeks, but L.A., Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties in Southern California have seen a steady rise in infections as more sectors of the economy reopen and people return to work and their daily activities for the first time since March.

In total, 3,137 people in L.A. County are dead with 18 new deaths reported on Monday. Hospitalizations have increased along with infections among people between the ages of 18 and 40.

Ferrer said it’s likely that virus spike could be happening in a number of locations including the recent protests against police violence, but it’s difficult to say with certainty.

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rising across the nation’s most populous state, California Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated Monday the state’s more than 400 hospitals have not been overwhelmed and are equipped with adequate medical supplies. While hospitalizations have increased 16% over the last two weeks and the number of people in intensive care has risen by 11%, Newsom said capacity is still “fairly stable.”

“We’re in a position to absorb even greater increases, so I want you to know we’re managing this,” Newsom said during a coronavirus press briefing Monday afternoon.

The governor credited the state’s efforts over the last few months to prepare by stockpiling nearly 200 million masks and acquiring thousands of new hospital beds. But he implored Californians to abide by the mandatory mask rules he ordered last week and encouraged residents to report businesses “thumbing their nose” at the rules, saying the mask order will be enforced if necessary.

“When you go to a restaurant and it’s clear that they’re not practicing what we are preaching, report that,” said Newsom.

Newsom said more than 92,000 tests were administered statewide Sunday — a record — and that 11 counties, including Los Angeles, Riverside, Fresno and Stanislaus were being monitored due to increasing hospitalizations and confirmed cases. On Saturday, the state registered a daily high with 4,515 new confirmed cases.

“Total number of cases are going up in the state of California,” Newsom said, urging residents to continue social distancing and wearing masks. “We are not out of the first wave of this virus.”

Also Monday, Ferrer said she has been the target of death threats for several weeks.

“I like the hundreds of other health officials have in fact received threats and hate mail,” said Ferrer during the broadcast update.

According to Ferrer, someone suggested during a Facebook Live public briefing last month that she should be shot.

“I didn’t immediately see the message, but my husband did, my children did, and so did my colleagues,” said Ferrer, who has become the public face of daily briefings on the death rate and infections from in L.A. County.

“It’s not really about me,” said Ferrer. “It’s about the fact that public health officials, and the team of folks that support us, are doing the best we can to save lives.”

In neighboring Orange County, former county public health director Dr. Nichole Quick was the target of harassment from a vocal contingent of residents who opposed the county’s health order for residents to wear cloth face masks in public. After Quick resigned, the county lifted its face mask health order — a move that was supplanted by Newsom’s statewide mask order.

In San Francisco, city officials announced they’re speeding up their timeline to reopen hair salons, barbers, museums, zoos, tattoo shops, outdoor bars and massage parlors. Some of the businesses were set to reopen in mid-July but will be given the green light to do so starting next week, according to city officials.

The city will reopen those businesses on June 29 as they expect to receive approval from the California Department of Public Health.

“We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially, and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement.

The city will need to continue to meet key health indicators on testing, contact tracing, health equipment availability and hospital bed capacity.

On Monday, San Francisco reported 3,058 cases and 47 deaths since the start of the pandemic in March, while the state of California has reported nearly 170,000 cases and over 5,400 deaths.

— By Nathan Solis and Nick Cahill

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Wednesday, Jul 3, 2024
Celebrate Fourth of July in the Santa Clarita Valley
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Santa Clarita with a full day of festive events including a run, pancake breakfast, parade and fireworks.
Wednesday, Jul 3, 2024
County Health Issues Excessive Heat Warning Through Monday
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:
Wednesday, Jul 3, 2024
Barger: Do Your Part to Prevent Wildfires
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, accompanied by dangerously hot temperatures and excessive heat warnings in portions of Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, Supervisor Kathryn Barger is reminding residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires. She issued the following statement today: 
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Santa Clarita with a full day of festive events including a run, pancake breakfast, parade and fireworks.
Celebrate Fourth of July in the Santa Clarita Valley
In an effort to prevent vehicle thefts or thefts from vehicles, remember the following simple safety tips.
Sheriff’s Department Gives Vehicle Theft Awareness Tips
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority annual Point-in Time count of residents experiencing homelessness revealed a 22.9% reduction in the level  of homeless veterans. 
Veteran Homeless Drops 22 Percent From Previous Year
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity kicked off its award-winning Youth@Work program, announcing the availability of up to 10,000 paid employment opportunities for local county youth.
County Kicks-Off Annual Youth@Work Program
The city of Santa Clarita’s The Big I Do event is returning on Valentine’s Day, 2025, with chances to win big. 
The Big I Do Returns With Lavish Giveaways
More than 17.7 million Californians now have a REAL ID, an increase of 137,929 from the previous month, according to California Department of Motor Vehicles data.
Start Summer By Upgrading to a REAL ID
Those who own rental properties or mobile home parks, it’s time to complete the Rent Registry 2024-25 registration.
L.A. County Rent Registry Now Open
SCVEDC recently participated in two major investment conferences: SelectLA hosted by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, as well as the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C.
Local Leaders Look to Attract Major Investors
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today applauded the passage of AB 1955,  Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act).
State Schools Chief Celebrates Passage of LGBTQ+ Legislation
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:
County Health Issues Excessive Heat Warning Through Monday
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, accompanied by dangerously hot temperatures and excessive heat warnings in portions of Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, Supervisor Kathryn Barger is reminding residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires. She issued the following statement today: 
Barger: Do Your Part to Prevent Wildfires
1925 - By letter, Wyatt Earp beseeches his friend William S. Hart to portray him in a movie, to correct the "lies about me." Hart never did. [story]
Hart-Wyatt Earp
With an excessive heat warning in effect this week, the city of Santa Clarita strongly urges residents to prioritize heat safety and preparedness during the Fourth of July Parade and the holiday weekend.
Stay Cool, Safe During the Fourth of July Holiday
California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has announced his bill to make wildfire settlement payments tax-free cleared its first hurdle in the Assembly, passing out of the Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
Wilk’s Bill to Make Wildfire Settlements Tax-free Clears First Assembly Committee
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently presented deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with the highly esteemed MADD Award. This award recognizes their unwavering commitment to road safety and dedication to preventing the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
MADD Awards Presented to Pair of SCV Sheriff’s Station Deputies
The First Presbyterian Church of Newhall is hosting an eight-week grief and loss recovery group, scheduled to run 2-3:30 p.m. on eight consecutive Sundays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 3.
Sept. 15: Presbyterian Church Hosts Grief, Loss Recovery Group
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a new online case management system that provides faster response times. The modern digital system provides drivers, as well as their attorneys, with a more convenient way to interact with the Driver Safety office at the DMV.
DMV’s Driver Safety Team Provides New Online Access
The city of Santa Clarita has issued a traffic alert for residents traveling to Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Main Entrance to Central Park Closed for Parking Lot Paving
As an excessive heat warning descends upon portions of North County this week, including the Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County officials remind SCV residents of county resources that bring free or low-cost heat relief.
County Offers Cooling Centers, Summer Pool Program
The Santa Clarita Valley opera company, Mission Opera opens its seventh Season Oct. 26-27 with "Cold Sassy Tree" by Carlisle Floyd, an American opera in English, based on the 1989 historical American novel by Olive Ann Burns.
Oct. 26-27: Mission Opera Presents ‘Cold Sassy Tree
Thanks to the cooperation and diligence of Santa Clarita Valley area residents and local agricultural officials, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, working in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, has declared an end to the Tau fruit fly quarantine following the eradication of the invasive pest.
Tau Fruit Fly Quarantine Lifted in SCV
The Hello Auto Group has announced its third annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive. This year, the Hello Auto Group will partner with three Santa Clarita Valley school districts, Sulphur Springs Union School District, Newhall School District and Castaic Union School District, to support students preparing for the upcoming school year.
Hello Auto Group Launches Annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive
The Regal Summer Movie Express is underway offering family movies for $1 a ticket now through Aug. 7.
Family Movies $1 During Regal Summer Movie Express
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit investigators are asking for the public’s help locating At Risk Missing Person Tim Paul Hood.
LASD Seeks Public’s Help Locating Man Missing from Canyon Country
SCVNews.com