latimes--2020-03-31--Veteran Santa Rosa police detective dies of COVID-19

A Santa Rosa police detective who was among the first infected with coronavirus in the department has died , officials announced Tuesday .
“ It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a member of our SRPD family , Detective Marylou Armer .
Marylou has faithfully served our community in the Santa Rosa Police Department for the past 20 years , ” the department said in a statement .
The department , which memorialized the loss on its social media accounts , added : “ Marylou was one of the first employees to test positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness .
Our hearts are with the family and Marylou will be deeply missed.
” The New York police announced that 1,048 officers and 145 civilian employees have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Five of the department staff have died .
Of those positive , 17 have recovered and returned to the job .
As of Tuesday , 15.6 % of the department ’ s officers are out sick .
The Los Angeles police department continues to test more of its 13,000 employees , and nearly 30 have tested positive .
Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moore and his commanders have planned out scenarios in which up to 30 % and perhaps even half of the department calls in sick .
These are worst-case scenarios , and officials do not think it will get that bad .
Officers in many locations this week began switching to 12-hour shifts to bolster the number on patrol and to provide security at eight homeless shelters .
The department has already transferred hundreds of detectives to patrol functions .
Moore said that in the last few weeks the department had entirely mobilized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assignments and operations have been put aside , and everyone has been assigned to concentrate on essential public safety functions .

A Santa Rosa police detective who was among the first infected with coronavirus in the department has died, officials announced Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a member of our SRPD family, Detective Marylou Armer. Marylou has faithfully served our community in the Santa Rosa Police Department for the past 20 years,” the department said in a statement.
The department, which memorialized the loss on its social media accounts, added: “Marylou was one of the first employees to test positive for COVID-19 and today succumbed to complications from the illness. Our hearts are with the family and Marylou will be deeply missed.”
Coronavirus is spreading in police departments nationally.
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The New York police announced that 1,048 officers and 145 civilian employees have tested positive for the coronavirus. Five of the department staff have died.
Of those positive, 17 have recovered and returned to the job. As of Tuesday, 15.6% of the department’s officers are out sick.
The Los Angeles police department continues to test more of its 13,000 employees, and nearly 30 have tested positive. Four are department leaders.
Police Chief Michel Moore and his commanders have planned out scenarios in which up to 30% and perhaps even half of the department calls in sick. These are worst-case scenarios, and officials do not think it will get that bad.
Officers in many locations this week began switching to 12-hour shifts to bolster the number on patrol and to provide security at eight homeless shelters. The department has already transferred hundreds of detectives to patrol functions.
Moore said that in the last few weeks the department had entirely mobilized. Vacation days have been canceled, unnecessary assignments and operations have been put aside, and everyone has been assigned to concentrate on essential public safety functions.


latimes--2020-03-31--They are not delicate flowers. Here's how to help seniors in your life

The United States is home to roughly 49 million people who are 65 years or older , including 5.3 million in California .
Many are at risk for severe illness with COVID-19 , meaning that they must be extra vigilant to prevent being exposed to the coronavirus .
Their families and caregivers must also be especially careful .
Seniors wrestle with numerous questions each day , including how to safely access essential services and cope with store hoarding , isolation and other challenges .
Here are some answers to many of these questions .
What precautions should seniors take to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same precautions as everyone else .
That means staying inside , avoiding contact with sick people , limiting contact with others and ensuring that people you live with do the same .
People should wash their hands regularly , clean indoor surfaces and wear gloves if they are handling anything outside their residence .
What can people do to support seniors ?
Regular communication with seniors — from a distance — is extremely important .
Family and caregivers need to know what medications seniors are taking , and make sure they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as food and cleaning supplies .
As for seniors , the AARP and other groups recommend seeking out a “ buddy ” — someone who will check on you , help you prepare and stock up on supplies , and help care for you if needed .
Numerous neighborhood groups and nonprofits are working to organize efforts for seniors , and deliver services and essential goods safely .
How can I help my older friends and family deal with loneliness ?
Take time each day to call an older person you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living alone , as do 28 % of seniors nationwide , according to a 2017 federal report .
If they ’ re tech savvy , use Facetime , Skype , Zoom or another app to do a video call .
AARP : How to stay connected , entertained while you are home alone As the writer Pearl Buck said during an earlier age , “ Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them.
” How can I care for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Caregivers , friends and family must follow all the precautions listed above .
Be aware that you could be a “ silent spreader ” unknowingly infecting other people .
Nancy McPherson , California state director of the AARP , recommends that neighbors help with the networking needed to support seniors .
“ If you have an elderly neighbor who lives alone , offer to give your phone number to their children who live out of town , so they can have another contact on the same street as their parent , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have to also need to exercise “ tough love , ” discouraging elders from unnecessary visits to markets and other crowded spaces .
These can be difficult conversations , but until the contagion ebbs , they can ’ t be avoided .
Why are seniors at high risk from COVID-19 ?
Not all seniors are at high risk , but older Americans tend to have weakened immune systems , and most have at least one risk factor , such as diabetes , hypertension or a previous bout of pneumonia , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at UC San Francisco School of Medicine .
Because of these risk factors , “ old people are more likely to get very sick , need hospitalization , require breathing support and to die , ” Aronson recently told Times columnist George Skelton .
Last week , the CDC released a report examining U.S. coronavirus cases through March 16 .
The report found that 80 % of deaths associated with COVID-19 were among adults 65 and older , with the highest fatality rates involving persons 85 and older .
How can I tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ?
How can I spot it in a loved one ?
COVID-19 symptoms include fever , cough and trouble breathing .
New research adds to the evidence that those infected can lose their sense of smell .
Apple and the CDC recently released an app to help identify symptoms .
If you think you are infected , call your doctor .
Physicians can schedule telephone and “ telehealth visits ” to reduce the potential spread of the virus to other patients and health care workers .
AARP : This is a what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping for essentials ?
Numerous grocery stores have set “ senior hours ” to help the elderly assess stores without long lines .
In Los Angeles , the city approved an ordinance requiring stores to dedicate the first hour of business to seniors , the disabled and those who care for them .
What will the stimulus bill mean for seniors ?
The $ 2-trillion economic stimulus package passed by Congress contains several important relief provisions for retirees .
People now receiving Social Security retirement and disability benefits will be getting the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being sent to most adults , subject to the same income limitations ( $ 75,000 in adjusted gross income for single filers and $ 150,000 for joint filers ) .
Reuters offers more details here : How the $ 2 trillion U.S. coronavirus relief bill impacts retirement savers

Antonia Jandres, 87, and her daughter Marta Jandres, wait in a line of cars to receive a test for COVID-19 at the Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles.
The United States is home to roughly 49 million people who are 65 years or older, including 5.3 million in California. Many are at risk for severe illness with COVID-19, meaning that they must be extra vigilant to prevent being exposed to the coronavirus. Their families and caregivers must also be especially careful.
Seniors wrestle with numerous questions each day, including how to safely access essential services and cope with store hoarding, isolation and other challenges. Here are some answers to many of these questions.
What precautions should seniors take to prevent being infected?
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Seniors should take the same precautions as everyone else. That means staying inside, avoiding contact with sick people, limiting contact with others and ensuring that people you live with do the same.
People should wash their hands regularly, clean indoor surfaces and wear gloves if they are handling anything outside their residence.
What risk do seniors face from being stigmatized?
There are concerns worldwide that seniors will increasingly bear the brunt of hasty government decisions on the virus. As Bethany Brown, a research at Human Rights Watch, stated Monday: “Older people face risks to their rights...if governments do not take their specific experiences into account.”
One concern is government officials discounting the lives of elders in efforts to prop up the economy. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently fueled such fears, saying: “Those of us who are 70-plus, we’ll take care of ourselves. But don’t sacrifice the economy.”
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What can people do to support seniors?
Regular communication with seniors — from a distance — is extremely important. Family and caregivers need to know what medications seniors are taking, and make sure they have an adequate supply of other essentials, such as food and cleaning supplies.
As for seniors, the AARP and other groups recommend seeking out a “buddy” — someone who will check on you, help you prepare and stock up on supplies, and help care for you if needed.
Numerous neighborhood groups and nonprofits are working to organize efforts for seniors, and deliver services and essential goods safely.
How can I help my older friends and family deal with loneliness?
Take time each day to call an older person you know, especially if he or she is living alone, as do 28% of seniors nationwide, according to a 2017 federal report. If they’re tech savvy, use Facetime, Skype, Zoom or another app to do a video call.
AARP: How to stay connected, entertained while you are home alone
As the writer Pearl Buck said during an earlier age, “Our society must make it right and possible for old people not to fear the young or be deserted by them.”
How can I care for an elderly person without putting them at risk?
Caregivers, friends and family must follow all the precautions listed above. Be aware that you could be a “silent spreader” unknowingly infecting other people.
Nancy McPherson, California state director of the AARP, recommends that neighbors help with the networking needed to support seniors.
“If you have an elderly neighbor who lives alone, offer to give your phone number to their children who live out of town, so they can have another contact on the same street as their parent,” said McPherson.
At times, caregivers may have to also need to exercise “tough love,” discouraging elders from unnecessary visits to markets and other crowded spaces. These can be difficult conversations, but until the contagion ebbs, they can’t be avoided.
Why are seniors at high risk from COVID-19?
Not all seniors are at high risk, but older Americans tend to have weakened immune systems, and most have at least one risk factor, such as diabetes, hypertension or a previous bout of pneumonia, according to Dr. Louise Aronson, a geriatrics professor at UC San Francisco School of Medicine.
Because of these risk factors, “old people are more likely to get very sick, need hospitalization, require breathing support and to die,” Aronson recently told Times columnist George Skelton.
Last week, the CDC released a report examining U.S. coronavirus cases through March 16. The report found that 80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 were among adults 65 and older, with the highest fatality rates involving persons 85 and older.
How can I tell if I might be infected with the coronavirus? How can I spot it in a loved one?
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and trouble breathing. New research adds to the evidence that those infected can lose their sense of smell.
Apple and the CDC recently released an app to help identify symptoms.
If you think you are infected, call your doctor. Physicians can schedule telephone and “telehealth visits” to reduce the potential spread of the virus to other patients and health care workers.
AARP: This is a what a coronavirus infection feels like
What about shopping for essentials?
Numerous grocery stores have set “senior hours” to help the elderly assess stores without long lines.
In Los Angeles, the city approved an ordinance requiring stores to dedicate the first hour of business to seniors, the disabled and those who care for them.
What will the stimulus bill mean for seniors?
The $2-trillion economic stimulus package passed by Congress contains several important relief provisions for retirees.
People now receiving Social Security retirement and disability benefits will be getting the same one-time $1,200 stimulus payments that are being sent to most adults, subject to the same income limitations ($75,000 in adjusted gross income for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers).
Reuters offers more details here: How the $2 trillion U.S. coronavirus relief bill impacts retirement savers


latimes--2020-03-31--Orange County inmate's death was not linked to coronavirus outbreak, officials say

A 69-year-old man who spent roughly two months in the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana before he died at a hospital Sunday tested negative for the coronavirus , which causes the COVID-19 illness , sheriff ’ s officials said Tuesday .
The man , who has not been identified publicly , was booked Jan. 24 on suspicion of a probation violation and possession of narcotics , said Carrie Braun , a spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department .
The man , who officials say was suffering from a medical condition that affected his breathing , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday where he was tested for the virus .
He died two days later , Braun said .
The test results ultimately showed he was not infected , officials said .
Orange County Public Defender Sharon Petrosino said her office had been working to get the inmate , a former combat Marine who had been a prisoner of war and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder , released .
But Orange County Dist .
Atty .
Todd Spitzer , who said the inmate died of preexisting health problems , said his office did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that because he had already been sentenced , prosecutors did not have the authority to weigh in on the case .
The news of the death comes as coronavirus infections continue to climb in Orange County .
The total number of cases in the county reached 502 on Tuesday .
Seven people — three men and four women — have died of the virus .
Four of those individuals were at least age 65 , and one was between ages 45 and 64 .
One person who died was between 25 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 and 44 years old , according to data from the Orange County Health Care Agency .
As of Monday , nine people who had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were being isolated in the jail .
Five inmates have tested positive , and roughly 150 are being quarantined under observation , Sheriff Don Barnes said .
Times staff writers Luke Money and Maura Dolan contributed to this report .

A 69-year-old man who was housed in the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana died Sunday.
A 69-year-old man who spent roughly two months in the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana before he died at a hospital Sunday tested negative for the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 illness, sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.
The man, who has not been identified publicly, was booked Jan. 24 on suspicion of a probation violation and possession of narcotics, said Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The man, who officials say was suffering from a medical condition that affected his breathing, was taken from the jail to a hospital Friday where he was tested for the virus. He died two days later, Braun said.
The test results ultimately showed he was not infected, officials said.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
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Orange County Public Defender Sharon Petrosino said her office had been working to get the inmate, a former combat Marine who had been a prisoner of war and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, released.
But Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer, who said the inmate died of preexisting health problems, said his office did not oppose the man’s release, noting that because he had already been sentenced, prosecutors did not have the authority to weigh in on the case.
The news of the death comes as coronavirus infections continue to climb in Orange County.
The total number of cases in the county reached 502 on Tuesday. Seven people — three men and four women — have died of the virus. Four of those individuals were at least age 65, and one was between ages 45 and 64. One person who died was between 25 and 34 years old and another was between 35 and 44 years old, according to data from the Orange County Health Care Agency.
As of Monday, nine people who had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 were being isolated in the jail. Five inmates have tested positive, and roughly 150 are being quarantined under observation, Sheriff Don Barnes said.
Times staff writers Luke Money and Maura Dolan contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-01--Man charged with intentionally derailing train near hospital ship Mercy over coronavirus concerns

Federal prosecutors charged a locomotive driver at the Port of Los Angeles with intentionally derailing a train near the U.S. Navy ’ s hospital ship Mercy because he suspected it was not there to help with the coronavirus crisis .
Eduardo Moreno , 44 , of San Pedro , was charged with deliberately wrecking a train during the incident Tuesday , which lead to a derailment and fuel leak , according to charges .
Prosecutors allege that Moreno derailed the train and deliberately crashed through barriers designed to stop engines before grinding to a halt 250 yards from the Mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care of the incident without an explosion or injury .
According to an affidavit , a California Highway Patrol officer saw the crash and took Moreno into custody at the scene .
Moreno reportedly said , “ You only get this chance once .
The whole world is watching .
I had to .
People don ’ t know what ’ s going on here .
Now they will.
” Moreno used a locomotive used to move cargo to barrel through a steel barrier and chain-link fence before eventually ending up in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court filing .
Prosecutors allege that during an interview he admitted he ran the train beyond the track because he believed the Mercy was part of suspicious activities involving the coronavirus .
“ Sometimes you just get a little snap and man , it was fricking exciting .
.
.
I just had it and I was committed .
I just went for it , I had one chance , ” Moreno said when interviewed by authorities .
According to the affidavit , he said he thought his act would bring media attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” referring to the Mercy .
He could not be reached for comment .
Such a charge upon conviction can result in up to 20 years in prison .
The Mercy arrived at the port of Los Angeles last week .
The Mercy has roughly 800 medical staffers , 1,000 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms .
The ship will house patients who do not have COVID-19 in an attempt to free up regional hospital beds for those who do .
Some patients who are already hospitalized in Los Angeles County will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , port officials said Thursday .

Prosecutors said a man suspicious of the Navy hospital ship Mercy crashed a train near it on Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors charged a locomotive driver at the Port of Los Angeles with intentionally derailing a train near the U.S. Navy’s hospital ship Mercy because he suspected it was not there to help with the coronavirus crisis.
Eduardo Moreno, 44, of San Pedro, was charged with deliberately wrecking a train during the incident Tuesday, which lead to a derailment and fuel leak, according to charges.
Prosecutors allege that Moreno derailed the train and deliberately crashed through barriers designed to stop engines before grinding to a halt 250 yards from the Mercy.
Firefighters and a hazmat team took care of the incident without an explosion or injury.
According to an affidavit, a California Highway Patrol officer saw the crash and took Moreno into custody at the scene.
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Moreno reportedly said, “You only get this chance once. The whole world is watching. I had to. People don’t know what’s going on here. Now they will.”
Moreno used a locomotive used to move cargo to barrel through a steel barrier and chain-link fence before eventually ending up in a second chain-link fence, according to the court filing.
Prosecutors allege that during an interview he admitted he ran the train beyond the track because he believed the Mercy was part of suspicious activities involving the coronavirus.
“Sometimes you just get a little snap and man, it was fricking exciting . . . I just had it and I was committed. I just went for it, I had one chance,” Moreno said when interviewed by authorities.
According to the affidavit, he said he thought his act would bring media attention and “people could see for themselves,” referring to the Mercy.
He could not be reached for comment.
Such a charge upon conviction can result in up to 20 years in prison.
The Mercy arrived at the port of Los Angeles last week.
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The Mercy has roughly 800 medical staffers, 1,000 hospital beds and 12 operating rooms.
The ship will house patients who do not have COVID-19 in an attempt to free up regional hospital beds for those who do. Some patients who are already hospitalized in Los Angeles County will be transferred to the ship for ongoing treatment, port officials said Thursday.


latimes--2020-04-01--Ex-USC admissions official to plead guilty to running scam to admit unqualified Chinese students

In exchange for money , a former admissions official at USC helped graduate students from China gain acceptance to the school by submitting doctored transcripts , fraudulent letters of recommendation and bogus personal statements in their applications , according to a plea agreement filed in federal court .
Hiu Kit David Chong , an assistant director in USC ’ s Office of Graduate Admissions from 2008 to 2016 , agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud in an agreement signed last month and unsealed Wednesday .
Between February 2015 and December 2018 , Chong purchased college transcripts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 per phony academic record , the plea agreement said .
Chong submitted the transcripts , along with fake letters of recommendation and personal statements , on behalf of three international students who were admitted to graduate programs at USC .
Identified only by their initials — F.J. , Z.L.
, and S.L .
— they each paid Chong between $ 8,000 and $ 10,000 , according to the plea agreement .
Chong has admitted falling for an FBI ruse that lured him into presenting a fictitious international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to USC with doctored transcripts , in exchange for $ 8,500 in cash .
Remarkably , the fake applicant was admitted to USC , Chong told the undercover agent .
The ruse began in July 2017 , when an agent emailed Chong with the subject line , “ Help to get in university.
” The agent was masquerading as “ Alex , ” whose friend ’ s son , Guoqiang , was applying to American universities with only a 2.1 grade-point average .
In a recorded phone call , Chong told the agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scores for standardized tests , such as the Graduate Record Examinations and Test of English as a Foreign Language , he could pay a surrogate to take it for him , the plea agreement said .
The following year , Chong met the agent in Los Angeles .
The agent handed Chong Guoqiang ’ s transcript from a Chinese university , showing a 2.6 GPA .
Four months later , the plea agreement said , Chong submitted an application on behalf of Guoqiang .
His GPA was a 3.47 .
In November 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fictitious Guoqiang had been admitted to USC .
The agent met him in December 2018 and handed over $ 8,500 in cash , according to the plea agreement .
In all , Chong admitted collecting about $ 40,000 from international students and people he believed to be international students .

Three international students each paid a former USC graduate admissions official between $8,000 and $10,000, according to a plea agreement.
In exchange for money, a former admissions official at USC helped graduate students from China gain acceptance to the school by submitting doctored transcripts, fraudulent letters of recommendation and bogus personal statements in their applications, according to a plea agreement filed in federal court.
Hiu Kit David Chong, who worked in USC’s Office of Graduate Admission from 2008 to 2016, agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud in an agreement signed last month and unsealed Wednesday.
Chong’s admissions scheme was separate altogether from the one perpetrated by William “Rick” Singer, a Newport Beach consultant who bribed USC officials, sneaked his star-studded clientele’s children into the school with bogus applications and rigged test scores, and brought, in one USC lawyer’s words, “a media circus” upon the campus south of downtown Los Angeles.
The investigation into Chong’s scam preceded the one into Singer. FBI agents in Los Angeles had been pursuing Chong no later than mid-2017, court records show, about nine months before federal authorities in Boston, investigating a Yale soccer coach suspected of taking bribes, were turned onto Singer.
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“Compared to some of the other scandals we’ve seen, this wasn’t really on the scale of what Rick Singer was doing,” said Stanley Friedman, Chong’s attorney. “Nonetheless it was wrong, as [Chong] acknowledged.”
Chong, who returned to Southern California from China in January to resolve his case, is embarrassed, regretful and takes full responsibility for his crimes, Friedman said.
As an assistant director of graduate admissions, Chong’s position allowed him “to learn the ins and outs of the admissions process at USC,” Friedman said. He also operated a side business in Monterey Park, So Cal International Group Inc., which advised students from China on how to apply to graduate programs at American universities, Friedman said.
A USC spokeswoman said the school cooperated with the authorities and believes the fraud was “isolated to one rogue former employee.” Chong concealed his crimes from USC, she said in a statement, and continued committing them for 2½ years after leaving his position.
Between February 2015 and December 2018, Chong purchased college transcripts from a supplier in China, who charged $1,000 to $2,000 per phony academic record, the plea agreement said. Chong submitted the transcripts, along with fake letters of recommendation and personal statements, on behalf of three international students who were admitted to graduate programs at USC.
Identified only by their initials — F.J., Z.L. and S.L. — they each paid Chong between $8,000 and $10,000, according to the plea agreement.
Chong has admitted falling for an FBI ruse that lured him into presenting a fictitious international applicant — “Lin Guoqiang” — to USC with doctored transcripts, in exchange for $8,500 in cash. Remarkably, the fake applicant was admitted to USC, Chong told the undercover agent. The ruse began in July 2017, when an agent emailed Chong with the subject line, “Help to get in university.” The agent was masquerading as “Alex,” whose friend’s son, Guoqiang, was applying to American universities with only a 2.1 grade-point average.
In a recorded phone call, Chong told the agent that while he couldn’t fabricate scores for standardized tests, such as the Graduate Record Examinations and the Test of English as a Foreign Language, he could pay a surrogate to take it for him, the plea agreement said.
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The following year, Chong met the agent in Los Angeles. The agent handed Guoqiang’s transcript from a Chinese university, showing a 2.6 GPA, to Chong. Four months later, the plea agreement said, Chong submitted an application on behalf of Guoqiang. His GPA was a 3.47.
In November 2018, Chong told the agent that the fictitious Guoqiang had been admitted to USC. The agent met him in December 2018 and handed over $8,500 in cash, according to the plea agreement. In all, Chong admitted collecting about $40,000 from international students and people he believed to be international students.


latimes--2020-04-01--Riverside County in urgent need of hospital beds, ventilators for coronavirus patients

All hospital beds in Riverside County could be occupied by mid-April if local coronavirus cases continue to rise at their current rate , according to a modeling projection calculated by Geoffrey Leung , Riverside University Health System ’ s chief of medical staff .
On Tuesday afternoon , the county reported 371 confirmed cases — 80 more than the previous day — and 13 fatalities , records show .
During a news conference last Thursday , Leung said cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County were doubling every 4.7 days .
This means the current 371 cases could jump to nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to surge projections .
The number of current cases , however , already have surpassed the county ’ s initial forecasts .
Though health officials predicted about 214 cases by Monday , the number of cases reached 291 , well over the original projection , Brooke Federico , the county ’ s public information officer , said Tuesday .
Health officials said their projections were based on the county ’ s latest statistics and were expected to change over time .
If cases continue at this rate , or faster , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by April 22 and intensive care beds could be filled by April 12 , officials showed on their Facebook page .
On Tuesday , the county reported there were 1,399 available hospital beds and 102 ICU beds .
Leung anticipates the county will need an additional 3,000 beds by early May to treat the anticipated increased number of COVID-19 patients .
In addition to hospital bed shortages , health officials forecast that the county could run out of ventilators by April 26 .
The county currently has 172 .
By early May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalizations , 50,000 confirmed cases and 1,000 deaths .
“ This underscores the importance of all of our hospitals having a surge plan and plans for expanding their hospital beds and intensive care unit beds , ” Leung said during the news conference last Thursday .
To meet these demands , officials are hoping that federal medical stations will help alleviate stress at local hospitals .
A 125-bed station at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio is expected to be operational within a few days , Federico said .
There are about 35 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Medical Assistance Team and 10 from the state ’ s National Guard medical strike team — at the site .
A second temporary hospital , which will also offer an additional 125 hospital beds , is still in the works .
Federico said the county was still deciding on a location .
The additional 250 beds were not included in Leung ’ s projections , she said Wednesday .
On Tuesday , the county announced a new public health recommendation for residents to cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings don ’ t have to be hospital grade , as those should be saved for medical workers , Leung said .
Instead a bandanna , fabric mask or neck gaiter will suffice .
These items can be washed and reused .
“ We ’ re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted , and that means our strategy must change too , ” Dr. Cameron Kaiser , the county ’ s public health officer , said Tuesday .
“ Covering your face doesn ’ t change the orders everyone must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible and maintain social distancing , but it ’ s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.
” Riverside County appears to be the first in Southern California to implement this recommendation , although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s advice is unequivocal : Healthy people who do not work in the healthcare sector and are not taking care of an infected person at home do not need to wear masks .
Riverside County officials said a Cochrane Review study cemented their decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Based on our research , cities that have been able to flatten the curve [ implemented ] face coverings [ to be worn by ] the general public , ” Federico said .
“ A number of studies show that droplet transmissions significantly reduce ” when the general public dons masks .
Face coverings also deter people from touching their faces , spurs them to wash their hands more frequently , and encourages them to continue practicing social distancing while influencing others around them to do the same , she said .
Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public health , told residents that , although projections of increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and fatalities seemed alarming , the county could help determine its own fate .
“ The numbers that Dr. Leung shares are frightening , no doubt , but that is only one possibility , ” she said during last Thursday ’ s news conference .
“ That doesn ’ t have to be our future .
By taking recommendations seriously , we can change those numbers .
We have the ability to control our own future as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to take all of us working together.
” In addition to the recommendation to wear masks , county officials are requesting that the public send donations of supplies including masks ( surgical , N95 or handmade ) , cardiac monitors and personal protective equipment to hospitals .
The county is also seeking more medical volunteers including physicians , nurses , pharmacists , assistants and technicians to assist with patients .
Only licensed practitioners or students pursuing degrees in any of those areas can volunteer .
For more information on how to volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s .

All hospital beds in Riverside County could be occupied by mid-April if local coronavirus cases continue to rise at their current rate, according to a modeling projection calculated by Geoffrey Leung, Riverside University Health System’s chief of medical staff.
On Tuesday afternoon, the county reported 371 confirmed cases — 80 more than the previous day — and 13 fatalities, records show.
During a news conference last Thursday, Leung said cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County were doubling every 4.7 days. This means the current 371 cases could jump to nearly 1,500 by the week of April 12, according to surge projections.
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The number of current cases, however, already have surpassed the county’s initial forecasts.
Though health officials predicted about 214 cases by Monday, the number of cases reached 291, well over the original projection, Brooke Federico, the county’s public information officer, said Tuesday.
Health officials said their projections were based on the county’s latest statistics and were expected to change over time.
If cases continue at this rate, or faster, all basic hospital beds could be filled by April 22 and intensive care beds could be filled by April 12, officials showed on their Facebook page. On Tuesday, the county reported there were 1,399 available hospital beds and 102 ICU beds. Leung anticipates the county will need an additional 3,000 beds by early May to treat the anticipated increased number of COVID-19 patients.
In addition to hospital bed shortages, health officials forecast that the county could run out of ventilators by April 26. The county currently has 172.
By early May, officials said there could be 9,000 virus-related hospitalizations, 50,000 confirmed cases and 1,000 deaths.
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“This underscores the importance of all of our hospitals having a surge plan and plans for expanding their hospital beds and intensive care unit beds,” Leung said during the news conference last Thursday.
To meet these demands, officials are hoping that federal medical stations will help alleviate stress at local hospitals. A 125-bed station at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio is expected to be operational within a few days, Federico said. There are about 35 staffers — including 25 members of the California Medical Assistance Team and 10 from the state’s National Guard medical strike team — at the site.
A second temporary hospital, which will also offer an additional 125 hospital beds, is still in the works. Federico said the county was still deciding on a location.
The additional 250 beds were not included in Leung’s projections, she said Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the county announced a new public health recommendation for residents to cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential errands or appointments. The face coverings don’t have to be hospital grade, as those should be saved for medical workers, Leung said. Instead a bandanna, fabric mask or neck gaiter will suffice. These items can be washed and reused.
“We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted, and that means our strategy must change too,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the county’s public health officer, said Tuesday. “Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.”
Riverside County appears to be the first in Southern California to implement this recommendation, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advice is unequivocal: Healthy people who do not work in the healthcare sector and are not taking care of an infected person at home do not need to wear masks. Riverside County officials said a Cochrane Review study cemented their decision to move forward with this recommendation.
“Based on our research, cities that have been able to flatten the curve [implemented] face coverings [to be worn by] the general public,” Federico said. “A number of studies show that droplet transmissions significantly reduce” when the general public dons masks.
Face coverings also deter people from touching their faces, spurs them to wash their hands more frequently, and encourages them to continue practicing social distancing while influencing others around them to do the same, she said.
Kim Saruwatari, the county’s director of public health, told residents that, although projections of increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and fatalities seemed alarming, the county could help determine its own fate.
“The numbers that Dr. Leung shares are frightening, no doubt, but that is only one possibility,” she said during last Thursday’s news conference. “That doesn’t have to be our future. By taking recommendations seriously, we can change those numbers. We have the ability to control our own future as a county, but it’s going to take all of us working together.”
In addition to the recommendation to wear masks, county officials are requesting that the public send donations of supplies including masks (surgical, N95 or handmade), cardiac monitors and personal protective equipment to hospitals. The county is also seeking more medical volunteers including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, assistants and technicians to assist with patients. Only licensed practitioners or students pursuing degrees in any of those areas can volunteer.


latimes--2020-04-01--Beverly Hills police find 192 rolls of toilet paper inside stolen SUV

It wasn ’ t a pot of gold , but something perhaps more valuable in this era of coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ a stolen sports utility vehicle and found 192 rolls of toilet paper inside .
Police @ @ @ @ @ it was unclear whether the toilet paper was stolen or where it came from .
@ @ @ @ @ for several charges — unrelated to the toilet paper , ” said Beverly Hills Police @ @ @ @ @ paper has been in short supply due to supermarket hoarding in the midst of the @ @ @ @ @ , the department quipped : “ Gives ‘ They saw me rollin ’ ... ’ @ @ @ @ @ ”

It wasn’t a pot of gold, but something perhaps more valuable in this era of coronavirus.
Beverly Hills police pulled over a stolen sports utility vehicle and found 192 rolls of toilet paper inside. Police arrested the driver but said it was unclear whether the toilet paper was stolen or where it came from.
“The driver was arrested for several charges — unrelated to the toilet paper,” said Beverly Hills Police Lt. Elizabeth Albanese.
Toilet paper has been in short supply due to supermarket hoarding in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Twitter, the department quipped: “Gives ‘They saw me rollin’...’ a whole new meaning.”


latimes--2020-04-01--This is where the coronavirus has been found in Orange County

Orange County saw a significant surge in new coronavirus infections Wednesday , bringing the county ’ s total case count to 606 .
That ’ s up 107 cases from Tuesday .
The county also reported three new coronavirus-related deaths , for a total of 10 since the COVID-19 pandemic began .
Countywide , 67 people are currently hospitalized — 31 of them in intensive care .
As the number of patients continues to climb , county officials have urged residents to continue following stay-at-home orders and to maintain a healthy distance from others when they do need to venture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no longer a debate , ” county Supervisor Andrew Do said Tuesday .
“ All over the world , this practice is put in place — from Denmark to Moscow , and here in the U.S. from New York to Washington state .
The effectiveness in limiting the spread of COVID-19 can be found in how early the policy of shelter-in-place is implemented , and how rigorously people adhere to this policy.
” Cases by community : Aliso Viejo — 6 Anaheim — 56 Brea — 4 Buena Park — 19 Costa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Point — 11 Fountain Valley — 8 Fullerton — 13 Garden Grove — 12 Huntington Beach — 39 Irvine — 57 La Habra — 5 La Palma — 6 Laguna Beach — 25 Laguna Hills — 3 Laguna Niguel — 16 Laguna Woods — Fewer than 5* Lake Forest — 11 Los Alamitos — Fewer than 5* Mission Viejo — 16 Newport Beach — 54 Orange — 17 Placentia — 11 Rancho Santa Margarita — 8 San Clemente — 30 San Juan Capistrano — 13 Santa Ana — 36 Seal Beach — 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park — 4 Westminster — 7 Yorba Linda — 19 Other — 16 Unknown — 44 *The county generally does not provide exact counts for cities that have fewer than 25,000 residents and fewer than five cases .
Those , as well as results from unincorporated areas , are reflected in the “ other ” category .
Note : Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information .

A surfer rides a wave near the closed Newport Pier on Tuesday amid social distancing regulations that have been put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Orange County saw a significant surge in new coronavirus infections Wednesday, bringing the county’s total case count to 606.
That’s up 107 cases from Tuesday. The county also reported three new coronavirus-related deaths, for a total of 10 since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Countywide, 67 people are currently hospitalized — 31 of them in intensive care.
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As the number of patients continues to climb, county officials have urged residents to continue following stay-at-home orders and to maintain a healthy distance from others when they do need to venture outside.
“Social distancing and isolation is no longer a debate,” county Supervisor Andrew Do said Tuesday. “All over the world, this practice is put in place — from Denmark to Moscow, and here in the U.S. from New York to Washington state. The effectiveness in limiting the spread of COVID-19 can be found in how early the policy of shelter-in-place is implemented, and how rigorously people adhere to this policy.”
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 3
18-24 — 65
25-34 — 96
35-44 — 100
45-64 — 236
65+ — 106
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 1
45-64 — 1
65+ — 6
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 6
Anaheim — 56
Brea — 4
Buena Park — 19
Costa Mesa — 12
Cypress — 15
Dana Point — 11
Fountain Valley — 8
Fullerton — 13
Garden Grove — 12
Huntington Beach — 39
Irvine — 57
La Habra — 5
La Palma — 6
Laguna Beach — 25
Laguna Hills — 3
Laguna Niguel — 16
Laguna Woods — Fewer than 5*
Lake Forest — 11
Los Alamitos — Fewer than 5*
Mission Viejo — 16
Newport Beach — 54
Orange — 17
Placentia — 11
Rancho Santa Margarita — 8
San Clemente — 30
San Juan Capistrano — 13
Santa Ana — 36
Seal Beach — 2
Stanton — 1
Tustin — 10
Villa Park — 4
Westminster — 7
Yorba Linda — 19
Other — 16
Unknown — 44
*The county generally does not provide exact counts for cities that have fewer than 25,000 residents and fewer than five cases. Those, as well as results from unincorporated areas, are reflected in the “other” category.
Note: Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-04-01--Commentary: What L.A.'s future looks like from New York and my coronavirus time machine

Since the second week of March , my self-quarantine routine has become increasingly finite and fixed : the same waking hours , the same couple dozen scrolls through Twitter , the same Zoom meetings , the same late-night Netflix bingeing .
The same sameness .
In the late morning , I turn on the television to watch the daily press briefing of my state ’ s governor , Andrew Cuomo , who offers projections of a pandemic surge that he tells us is still more than two weeks nigh .
He is charismatic and clear-spoken .
He starts with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he becomes visibly more emotional .
His empathy has made him an overnight political and cultural lodestar .
His words are not a vaccine , but they are something .
They are a lot , actually .
Hours later , I tune into the daily press briefing of my future state ’ s governor , Gavin Newsom .
I tune in to that , too .
He offers projections of a pandemic surge just starting to accelerate , whose peak is likely at least three weeks nigh .
He is also charismatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo .
He comes armed with numbers , which he follows with his opinions , delivered with a polish and conviction that stamps him , too , as a high-ceiling politician .
His words , they are a lot , too .
But I ’ ve come to anticipate the California governor ’ s message .
Because I ’ ve heard it before .
I took a position with The Times in February .
Today , in fact , was supposed to be moving day after nearly three decades in New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family and I will remain for the foreseeable future , I watch the news from California on a sort of eerie tape-delay .
Both governors echo the projections of the scientists that place California roughly a week , maybe two , behind New York on the COVID-19 curve .
The story of New York , and its largest city — considered to be the epicenter of the public health crisis — and the lessons Los Angeles can learn from us , have become a regular feature of the California news cycle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists offer their steady stream of forecasts .
It is like watching a weather front moving in reverse , east to west .
The projections are informed , but can not provide the precision everyone craves .
Conversations with my West Coast friends and colleagues have taken on an increased urgency and anxiety .
They all want a peek inside this pandemic time machine .
My window into New York City isn ’ t all that different from yours .
I restrict my Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-sanctioned outside time to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , generally along Manhattan ’ s East River and extending no farther than seven city blocks .
When people ask me , “ What does it look like ?
” I strike a sunny note first .
In a somewhat cruel irony , this March has been , meteorologically speaking , the most glorious I can recall in my three decades here , more closely resembling a Southern California spring than Southern California has enjoyed this month .
But , yes , the streets and bridges are empty and occasionally , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The death toll in New York state is pacing to eclipse that of 9/11 by early next week .
A field hospital has been erected in Central Park ’ s East Meadow , one of the city ’ s most idyllic spaces .
People are visibly scared .
What they really want to know , however , is “ What does it feel like , what does your intuition tell you , ” as if I , and other New Yorkers , have an advance scouting report on this apocalyptic opponent .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one friend from the Valley asked , would we mind banging a trash can lid when we know what exactly is coming for them ?
This one is trickier .
With every passing day here , the virus becomes less of an abstraction and more of , well , life .
We all know someone who has been infected , too many know someone who lost a family member , some know hospital workers who , in response to our apologetic pleas for guidance and intel , reply simply : “ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dark comedy , as well .
For Southern Californians looking to flee the state via automobile , a story : In addition to knowing multiple friends who have been infected ( for me , closing in on a dozen as of this writing ) , I know now of someone who has been pulled over in the neighboring state of Connecticut , not for speeding or driving under the influence ... but for driving with a New York license plate .
This has become a trend in recent days , with offenders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at their destination .
But there is optimism , a shared sense of danger blunted by a willingness to do what it takes to “ conquer the Corona.
” Even with my limited eyewitness , I feel confident saying that New Yorkers are taking it , as Southern college football coaches like to say , “ serious as a heart attack.
” Social distancing — one area , crucially , that California has been ahead of the New York curve — has become as intuitive as not running a red light .
Shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women at our checkout lines , some stealthily sliding them cash the way they might have , a month earlier , slipped a club bouncer a twenty at 2 a.m .
The bros have embraced Dr. Anthony Fauci as if he were Aaron Judge .
Residents give their thanks to healthcare workers through neighborhood karaoke .
Service is appreciated in a way it hasn ’ t been since 9/11 .
Last Friday , at precisely seven o ’ clock in the evening , a crescendo started to build outside our apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Marathon , which on the first Sunday of every November passes by a block away , on 1st Avenue .
It was the sustained chorus of excited clapping , whistling and the occasional whoop , actually lots of whoops .
New Yorkers , via social media , had appointed the hour as an opportunity to thank and celebrate all the workers who have been our community ’ s oxygen for close to a month now : the doctors and nurses , the grocery store workers and transit workers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help in any way they can .
For five , nonstop minutes ( a ritual that has continued every night since at the same hour ) , the chorus continued , as residents began to trickle out of their building .
An emergency vehicle came into view , heading north on 1st , and a young woman started to jump in quick anticipatory bursts before unleashing , with full-throated conviction , a message we can all get behind , no coastal tape-delay necessary : We ’ re going to get through this @

Since the second week of March, my self-quarantine routine has become increasingly finite and fixed: the same waking hours, the same couple dozen scrolls through Twitter, the same Zoom meetings, the same late-night Netflix bingeing. The same sameness.
In the late morning, I turn on the television to watch the daily press briefing of my state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, who offers projections of a pandemic surge that he tells us is still more than two weeks nigh. He is charismatic and clear-spoken. He starts with the numbers, then offers his opinions, when he becomes visibly more emotional. His empathy has made him an overnight political and cultural lodestar. His words are not a vaccine, but they are something. They are a lot, actually.
Hours later, I tune into the daily press briefing of my future state’s governor, Gavin Newsom. He offers projections of a pandemic surge just starting to accelerate, whose peak is likely at least three weeks nigh. He is also charismatic and clear-spoken, though more circumspect than Cuomo. He comes armed with numbers, which he follows with his opinions, delivered with a polish and conviction that stamps him, too, as a high-ceiling politician. His words, they are a lot, too.
Advertisement
But I’ve come to anticipate the California governor’s message. Because I’ve heard it before.
A week before.
I took a position with The Times in February. Today, in fact, was supposed to be moving day after nearly three decades in New York City. From 2,500 miles away, where my family and I will remain for the foreseeable future, I watch the news from California on a sort of eerie tape-delay. Both governors echo the projections of the scientists that place California roughly a week, maybe two, behind New York on the COVID-19 curve. The story of New York, and its largest city — considered to be the epicenter of the public health crisis — and the lessons Los Angeles can learn from us, have become a regular feature of the California news cycle.
Like meteorologists, infectious disease doctors and scientists offer their steady stream of forecasts. It is like watching a weather front moving in reverse, east to west. The projections are informed, but cannot provide the precision everyone craves. Conversations with my West Coast friends and colleagues have taken on an increased urgency and anxiety.
They all want a peek inside this pandemic time machine.
***
My window into New York City isn’t all that different from yours. I restrict my CDC-sanctioned outside time to one family walk and two dog walks a day, generally along Manhattan’s East River and extending no farther than seven city blocks. When people ask me, “What does it look like?” I strike a sunny note first. In a somewhat cruel irony, this March has been, meteorologically speaking, the most glorious I can recall in my three decades here, more closely resembling a Southern California spring than Southern California has enjoyed this month.
But, yes, the streets and bridges are empty and occasionally, too, are many of the shelves. The death toll in New York state is pacing to eclipse that of 9/11 by early next week. A field hospital has been erected in Central Park’s East Meadow, one of the city’s most idyllic spaces. People are visibly scared.
Advertisement
If we can decode the signs, one friend from the Valley asked, would we mind banging a trash can lid when we know what exactly is coming for them?
What they really want to know, however, is “What does it feel like, what does your intuition tell you,” as if I, and other New Yorkers, have an advance scouting report on this apocalyptic opponent. And if we can decode the signs, one friend from the Valley asked, would we mind banging a trash can lid when we know what exactly is coming for them?
This one is trickier. With every passing day here, the virus becomes less of an abstraction and more of, well, life. We all know someone who has been infected, too many know someone who lost a family member, some know hospital workers who, in response to our apologetic pleas for guidance and intel, reply simply: “It’s bad.”
There is an element of dark comedy, as well. For Southern Californians looking to flee the state via automobile, a story: In addition to knowing multiple friends who have been infected (for me, closing in on a dozen as of this writing), I know now of someone who has been pulled over in the neighboring state of Connecticut, not for speeding or driving under the influence... but for driving with a New York license plate. This has become a trend in recent days, with offenders being ordered to self-quarantine when they arrive at their destination.
But there is optimism, a shared sense of danger blunted by a willingness to do what it takes to “conquer the Corona.” Even with my limited eyewitness, I feel confident saying that New Yorkers are taking it, as Southern college football coaches like to say, “serious as a heart attack.” Social distancing — one area, crucially, that California has been ahead of the New York curve — has become as intuitive as not running a red light. Shoppers, six feet apart, thank the men and women at our checkout lines, some stealthily sliding them cash the way they might have, a month earlier, slipped a club bouncer a twenty at 2 a.m. The bros have embraced Dr. Anthony Fauci as if he were Aaron Judge. Residents give their thanks to healthcare workers through neighborhood karaoke. Service is appreciated in a way it hasn’t been since 9/11.
California Social distancing may have helped California slow the virus and avoid New York’s fate The coronavirus continues to spread rapidly in the Bay Area and Seattle, but so far at a rate slower than in the country’s other hot spots such as New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Louisiana.
***
Last Friday, at precisely seven o’clock in the evening, a crescendo started to build outside our apartment, one that I immediately recognized from the New York Marathon, which on the first Sunday of every November passes by a block away, on 1st Avenue. It was the sustained chorus of excited clapping, whistling and the occasional whoop, actually lots of whoops. New Yorkers, via social media, had appointed the hour as an opportunity to thank and celebrate all the workers who have been our community’s oxygen for close to a month now: the doctors and nurses, the grocery store workers and transit workers, the salaried municipal workers and the volunteers desperate to help in any way they can.
For five, nonstop minutes (a ritual that has continued every night since at the same hour), the chorus continued, as residents began to trickle out of their building. An emergency vehicle came into view, heading north on 1st, and a young woman started to jump in quick anticipatory bursts before unleashing, with full-throated conviction, a message we can all get behind, no coastal tape-delay necessary: We’re going to get through this.


latimes--2020-04-01--Orange County sees biggest one-day jump in coronavirus infections, three new deaths

Orange County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections so far Wednesday , as officials announced 107 new cases — more than in the previous three days combined — and three additional deaths .
In all , 606 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths have been confirmed countywide , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
Of those who have died , six were 65 or older and two were between 25 and 34 .
One was between 35 and 44 and the other was between 45 and 64 .
Sixty-seven patients were hospitalized as of Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Though the one-day increase was the biggest seen so far — prior to Wednesday , Orange County hadn ’ t announced more than 80 new cases in a given day — the recent surge continued a steady skyward trend in terms of coronavirus infections in the region .
A week ago , there were only 184 confirmed cases countywide .
The latest update also poured cold water on any hope that the relatively small case growth reported last weekend indicated the county had turned a corner — a conclusion health officials had warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county Health Care Agency , said Tuesday that “ it would be false to say the current case count is going downward.
” “ Many people have mild symptoms and they never get tested , ” he said .
“ We don ’ t really know the true count of people who may have COVID-19 currently in Orange County , because we don ’ t have that testing capability.
” Countywide , 7,271 people had been tested as of Wednesday .

Cyclists have the street to themselves in Newport Beach on Tuesday.
Orange County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections so far Wednesday, as officials announced 107 new cases — more than in the previous three days combined — and three additional deaths.
In all, 606 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths have been confirmed countywide, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
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Of those who have died, six were 65 or older and two were between 25 and 34. One was between 35 and 44 and the other was between 45 and 64.
Sixty-seven patients were hospitalized as of Wednesday, 31 of them in intensive care.
Though the one-day increase was the biggest seen so far — prior to Wednesday, Orange County hadn’t announced more than 80 new cases in a given day — the recent surge continued a steady skyward trend in terms of coronavirus infections in the region.
A week ago, there were only 184 confirmed cases countywide.
The latest update also poured cold water on any hope that the relatively small case growth reported last weekend indicated the county had turned a corner — a conclusion health officials had warned against.
Richard Sanchez, director of the county Health Care Agency, said Tuesday that “it would be false to say the current case count is going downward.”
“Many people have mild symptoms and they never get tested,” he said. “We don’t really know the true count of people who may have COVID-19 currently in Orange County, because we don’t have that testing capability.”
Countywide, 7,271 people had been tested as of Wednesday.
As the number of coronavirus infections continues its upward trajectory, officials announced Wednesday that the Fairview Developmental Center — a state-owned property in Costa Mesa — will be used as an alternative care site to relieve stress on other regional hospitals.
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Repurposing the center, which has long housed adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities, is part of a wider effort to boost hospital capacity statewide.
Fairview, at 2501 Harbor Blvd., will provide up to 1,100 new hospital beds that should be available later this month, according to Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach).
“Around the world and in other states, we have seen the horrific images and heard the heartbreaking stories of COVID-19 patients dying in hospital corridors because there are not enough beds,” she said in a statement. “We are aggressively preparing for California’s surge to try to avoid that nightmare.”
Nancy Bargmann, director of the California Department of Developmental Services, said her agency “is pleased to be a part of statewide solutions to meet the moment by increasing hospital capacity for the general public through the utilization of our Fairview facility.”
State medical personnel will staff the site, and admissions “will be determined by local medical providers with an emphasis on moving patients who require monitoring and low-to-medium levels of care,” according to state officials.
Doing so, officials said, will free up space at traditional hospitals for patients in more serious condition.
“As our nation and country face this public health crisis together, Costa Mesa leaders have undertaken a coordinated and collaborative effort with all levels of government and we remain in constant communication,” City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison said in a statement. “With the rise in COVID-19 cases in Orange County to 606 and 10 deaths, it is imperative that we have the resources needed to treat all those who need care.”
Though Costa Mesa officials fiercely fought against a proposal in February to move coronavirus patients to Fairview, they said this week that much has changed since then and it is vital to work together to combat the disease.
“COVID-19 is a beast raging through our communities,” Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley said in a statement. “The threat of the virus upends our lives. Our only defense is the strength of our people. It takes sacrifice, courage, patience, trust and strong partnerships. Now more than ever we must join forces to crush COVID before it crushes us.”


latimes--2020-04-01--Rep. Devin Nunes calls California closures overkill, contradicting health officials and experts

Republican Congressman Devin Nunes criticized California ’ s strict social distancing restrictions and stay-at-home rules and said people needed to get back to work soon to prevent more economic distress .
“ The schools were just canceled out here in California , which is way overkill , ” Nunes said .
“ It ’ s possible kids could have gone back to school in two weeks , four weeks.
” Nunes said he was optimistic about a vaccine for the virus being developed and that the nation needed to focus on getting people back to work over the next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe we can wait until the end of April , ” he said .
Nunes ’ comments on Fox News conflict with urgent guidance from local , state and federal governments as well as from medical experts who say the restrictions on movement are essential to slowing the virus and preventing many deaths .
On Tuesday , one California health official said the state faced 5,000 coronavirus deaths a week if the state ’ s stay-at-home policies were relaxed too early .
Some health officers in California said there were early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , health officer for Contra Costa County , says California ’ s coronavirus death toll has been about 10 % of New York ’ s .
Some California officials said the stay-at-home orders would remain in place until at least May .
But Nunes said that was too late .
“ I will tell you this : If we don ’ t start to get people back to work in this country over the next week to two weeks , I don ’ t believe we can wait until the end of April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I just don ’ t know of any economy that ’ s ever survived or you unplug the entire economy and expect things to go back and be normal.
” Meanwhile , Santa Clara County ’ s health officer , Dr. Sara Cody , said Tuesday that she was seeing a bit of slowing in the number of COVID-19 cases , although she added that she was speaking cautiously .
“ The sacrifice that everyone has made , I believe it is starting to bend the curve .
But it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t been in place for long enough , ” Cody said at a news conference .
“ So we need to keep at it .
We just need to keep at it .
I believe it ’ s beginning to make a difference , and it ’ s giving our hospitals more time.
” At a Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday , officials spoke at length about ways to curb the effects of the virus .
County parks were closed , and fees for patients who visit a doctor for COVID-19-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also secured four motels to house vulnerable members of the homeless population .
The message from Dr. Robert Levin , the county ’ s public health officer , was grim : Ventura County could see as many as 1,000 people die from COVID-19 if efforts to flatten the curve were relaxed too early .
“ The actions we ’ re taking we hope will curtail that and diminish that significantly , ” said Levin , who cautioned that what health officials were up against with the novel coronavirus would not be like what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49 people in the county two years ago .

Hannah Fry, Rong-Gong Lin II, Melissa Gomez

Republican Congressman Devin Nunes criticized California’s strict social distancing restrictions and stay-at-home rules and said people needed to get back to work soon to prevent more economic distress.
“The schools were just canceled out here in California, which is way overkill,” Nunes said. “It’s possible kids could have gone back to school in two weeks, four weeks.”
Nunes said he was optimistic about a vaccine for the virus being developed and that the nation needed to focus on getting people back to work over the next week or two weeks. “I don’t believe we can wait until the end of April,” he said.
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Nunes’ comments on Fox News conflict with urgent guidance from local, state and federal governments as well as from medical experts who say the restrictions on movement are essential to slowing the virus and preventing many deaths.
On Tuesday, one California health official said the state faced 5,000 coronavirus deaths a week if the state’s stay-at-home policies were relaxed too early.
Some health officers in California said there were early signs that the shelter-in-place order was working . Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County, says California’s coronavirus death toll has been about 10% of New York’s.
Some California officials said the stay-at-home orders would remain in place until at least May. But Nunes said that was too late.
“I will tell you this: If we don’t start to get people back to work in this country over the next week to two weeks, I don’t believe we can wait until the end of April,” he told Fox News. “I just don’t know of any economy that’s ever survived or you unplug the entire economy and expect things to go back and be normal.”
Meanwhile, Santa Clara County’s health officer, Dr. Sara Cody, said Tuesday that she was seeing a bit of slowing in the number of COVID-19 cases, although she added that she was speaking cautiously.
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“The sacrifice that everyone has made, I believe it is starting to bend the curve. But it’s not enough, and it hasn’t been in place for long enough,” Cody said at a news conference. “So we need to keep at it. We just need to keep at it. I believe it’s beginning to make a difference, and it’s giving our hospitals more time.”
At a Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, officials spoke at length about ways to curb the effects of the virus. County parks were closed, and fees for patients who visit a doctor for COVID-19-related symptoms have been waived. The county also secured four motels to house vulnerable members of the homeless population.
The message from Dr. Robert Levin, the county’s public health officer, was grim: Ventura County could see as many as 1,000 people die from COVID-19 if efforts to flatten the curve were relaxed too early.
“The actions we’re taking we hope will curtail that and diminish that significantly,” said Levin, who cautioned that what health officials were up against with the novel coronavirus would not be like what they saw with influenza, which killed 49 people in the county two years ago.


latimes--2020-04-01--L.A. County juvenile hall officer tests positive for coronavirus, 21 youths in quarantine

A Los Angeles County probation officer who works inside a Sylmar juvenile hall has tested positive for the coronavirus , according to an email reviewed by The Times .
Probation officials declined to provide information about the officer , citing privacy laws , but said 21 juvenile detainees at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall have been quarantined .
None of the juveniles are symptomatic , said Adam Wolfson , communications director for the Probation Department .
The officer had been isolating at home while awaiting the test results , the email said .
In a statement , probation officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking this incident very seriously including working with our health care partners to mitigate any additional cases.
” “ Medical staff on site are closely monitoring health of youth potentially exposed and any other individuals present in the housing unit in question , ” the statement said .
“ No staff or youth are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and ( they ) are being continually monitored by health staff.
” Extensive cleaning of the unit at the juvenile hall where the employee worked is underway , probation officials said .
Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sylmar juvenile courthouse also tested positive for the virus , leading officials to close the courthouse for several days .
The courthouse is attached to the Nidorf juvenile hall .
The public defender contracted the virus after caring for a relative who had also tested positive , a news release issued by the Los Angeles County Superior Court said .
A spokeswoman for the public defender ’ s office has declined to provide updates on the attorney who tested positive .
Concern about potential outbreaks among incarcerated populations has driven widespread efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California in recent weeks .
On Tuesday , lawyers for Gov .
Gavin Newsom said they would grant early release to about 3,500 state prison inmates who were serving time for nonviolent crimes and had fewer than 60 days left on their sentences .
The L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department has also made moves to shrink its normally 17,000-inmate jail population amid the health crisis , releasing inmates with fewer than 30 days left on their sentences as well as those awaiting trial for misdemeanor offenses who are being held on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similar calls have been made to release juvenile offenders who are awaiting trial or being held on technical probation violations .
Despite those efforts , an inmate at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility was confirmed to have contracted the virus on Tuesday .
Four others who work in the jails — a sheriff ’ s deputy , a custody assistant , a nursing assistant and a doctor — have also tested positive and 16 additional people have been placed under quarantine .

A probation officer who works at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar has tested positive for the coronavirus, and 21 juveniles are now on quarantine.
A Los Angeles County probation officer who works inside a Sylmar juvenile hall has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an email reviewed by The Times.
Probation officials declined to provide information about the officer, citing privacy laws, but said 21 juvenile detainees at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall have been quarantined. None of the juveniles are symptomatic, said Adam Wolfson, communications director for the Probation Department.
The officer had been isolating at home while awaiting the test results, the email said.
In a statement, probation officials said they were “acting quickly and taking this incident very seriously including working with our health care partners to mitigate any additional cases.”
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“Medical staff on site are closely monitoring health of youth potentially exposed and any other individuals present in the housing unit in question,” the statement said. “No staff or youth are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and (they) are being continually monitored by health staff.”
Extensive cleaning of the unit at the juvenile hall where the employee worked is underway, probation officials said.
Earlier this month, a public defender assigned to the Sylmar juvenile courthouse also tested positive for the virus, leading officials to close the courthouse for several days. The courthouse is attached to the Nidorf juvenile hall. The public defender contracted the virus after caring for a relative who had also tested positive, a news release issued by the Los Angeles County Superior Court said.
A spokeswoman for the public defender’s office has declined to provide updates on the attorney who tested positive.
Concern about potential outbreaks among incarcerated populations has driven widespread efforts to reduce the adult prison population in California in recent weeks. On Tuesday, lawyers for Gov. Gavin Newsom said they would grant early release to about 3,500 state prison inmates who were serving time for nonviolent crimes and had fewer than 60 days left on their sentences.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has also made moves to shrink its normally 17,000-inmate jail population amid the health crisis, releasing inmates with fewer than 30 days left on their sentences as well as those awaiting trial for misdemeanor offenses who are being held on a bail of less than $50,000.
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Similar calls have been made to release juvenile offenders who are awaiting trial or being held on technical probation violations.
Despite those efforts, an inmate at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility was confirmed to have contracted the virus on Tuesday. Four others who work in the jails — a sheriff’s deputy, a custody assistant, a nursing assistant and a doctor — have also tested positive and 16 additional people have been placed under quarantine.


latimes--2020-04-01--Public schools expected to remain closed for the rest of the academic year, Newsom says

California ’ s public K-12 school campuses are expected to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year in response to the escalating coronavirus pandemic as educators take on the massive challenge of distance learning for about 6.1 million students , state officials announced Wednesday .
Families and educators should operate “ with the expectation now that schools will not reopen , but classes are in ” for the rest of the school year , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
“ To all of the moms , all the teachers , all the caregivers , I know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Newsom said .
“ I know what we ’ re asking of you over the course of the next few months.
” The announcement makes good on comments the governor made during a March 17 briefing , when he said it was unlikely that campuses would reopen during the current school year .
Also , State Supt .
of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond echoed the same message in a letter Tuesday to school district officials statewide , and on Wednesday during Newsom ’ s news conference .
“ We ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging all ... our schools to proceed as if we can only educate our kids through distance learning for the remainder of the school year , ” Thurmond said Wednesday .
“ Quite frankly , none of us knows when it ’ s safe enough for students to return to campus.
” Newsom stopped short of issuing an executive order related to school closures , instead acknowledging the reality that schools will not reopen based on the state ’ s predictions of how the virus will spread in the next few months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor .
California is home to 12 % of the nation ’ s school-age children .
Seven states have already shut down campuses for the remainder of the school year , according to tracking by Education Week .
Others appear headed in that direction .
New York City ’ s public school system , that largest in the nation with about 1 million students , remains closed indefinitely .
In his letter , Thurmond said the sobering reality should compel school systems to redouble their efforts to keep students learning .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that school is over for the year , but rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning , ” Thurmond wrote .
For every child to have access to distance learning for the remainder of the school year , many would need better access to internet and devices .
Newsom also announced Wednesday a partnership with Google , which is providing free Wi-Fi to 100,000 households in the state — but more help is needed .
“ When we went into school closure , about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , ” state Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said .
“ We ’ re probably cutting that by more than half at this point .
And we ’ ll continue to ... try to close the gap.
” Los Angeles Unified , the state ’ s largest school system , was among those that did not wait for the state .
L.A. schools Supt .
Austin Beutner has authorized spending $ 100 million from district reserves for computers and portable Wi-Fi hotspots .
About 80 % of district students are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time of the closure , district officials estimated that at least one-fourth were unable to continue their studies online .
District efforts to close that gap continue .
On Wednesday , Bell High handed out about 200 computers to students and their families , along with instructions for obtaining free broadband service .
In recognition of the new education reality , the governor ’ s office on Wednesday released a “ framework ” endorsed by school labor and management groups on how to work together going forward .
In California , unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district , a process that could result in instructional delays and potential conflict in the current crisis .
The framework is not an executive order but officials expect broad , if not universal , compliance .
“ Emergency declarations have not suspended obligations to bargain with exclusive representatives , ” the framework says in part .
“ The first priority must be essential service to the public while maintaining employee safety.
” The framework was needed because a few districts did not initially collaborate with unions , said Jeff Freitas , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some initial working arrangements will need to be revisited with the extension of campus closures , he said .
Some union critics had accused labor of being obstructionist and delaying services to students .
The state will soon offer guidance on grading and graduation requirements , and the education department will host a webinar Thursday with experts on special education through distance learning , officials said .
They reiterated that learning should still be happening for all students .
“ While right now our campuses are closed to our kids , school is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , we are asking everyone to accelerate their efforts to make sure that our students get a great education , ” Thurmond said .
Seniors will get a break as the University of California and the Cal State system have eased entrance requirements .
“ We ’ re working with our higher education community to make sure that while we can ’ t provide a graduation ceremony for our students , we can ensure that they graduate and that they move forward , ” Thurmond said .
Families are also coming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students are getting food from 5,200 sites across the state , she said .
That includes more than 60 in L.A. Unified , which is also delivering food to homeless shelters in L.A .

California’s public K-12 school campuses are expected to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year in response to the escalating coronavirus pandemic as educators take on the massive challenge of distance learning for about 6.1 million students, state officials announced Wednesday.
Families and educators should operate “with the expectation now that schools will not reopen, but classes are in” for the rest of the school year, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
“To all of the moms, all the teachers, all the caregivers, I know how stressful this is, trust me,” Newsom said. “I know what we’re asking of you over the course of the next few months.”
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The announcement makes good on comments the governor made during a March 17 briefing, when he said it was unlikely that campuses would reopen during the current school year. Also, State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond echoed the same message in a letter Tuesday to school district officials statewide, and on Wednesday during Newsom’s news conference.
“We’ve been in communication with superintendents around the state urging all ... our schools to proceed as if we can only educate our kids through distance learning for the remainder of the school year,” Thurmond said Wednesday. “Quite frankly, none of us knows when it’s safe enough for students to return to campus.”
Newsom stopped short of issuing an executive order related to school closures, instead acknowledging the reality that schools will not reopen based on the state’s predictions of how the virus will spread in the next few months, said Nathan Click, a spokesman for the governor.
California is home to 12% of the nation’s school-age children. Seven states have already shut down campuses for the remainder of the school year, according to tracking by Education Week. Others appear headed in that direction. New York City’s public school system, that largest in the nation with about 1 million students, remains closed indefinitely.
In his letter, Thurmond said the sobering reality should compel school systems to redouble their efforts to keep students learning.
“This is in no way to suggest that school is over for the year, but rather we should put all efforts into strengthening our delivery of education through distance learning,” Thurmond wrote.
Advertisement
For every child to have access to distance learning for the remainder of the school year, many would need better access to internet and devices. Newsom also announced Wednesday a partnership with Google, which is providing free Wi-Fi to 100,000 households in the state — but more help is needed.
“When we went into school closure, about 20% of California students lacked digital connectivity at home,” state Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond said. “We’re probably cutting that by more than half at this point. And we’ll continue to ... try to close the gap.”
Los Angeles Unified, the state’s largest school system, was among those that did not wait for the state. L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner has authorized spending $100 million from district reserves for computers and portable Wi-Fi hotspots. About 80% of district students are members of low-income households and, at the time of the closure, district officials estimated that at least one-fourth were unable to continue their studies online.
District efforts to close that gap continue. On Wednesday, Bell High handed out about 200 computers to students and their families, along with instructions for obtaining free broadband service.
In recognition of the new education reality, the governor’s office on Wednesday released a “framework” endorsed by school labor and management groups on how to work together going forward. In California, unions typically negotiate over working conditions district by district, a process that could result in instructional delays and potential conflict in the current crisis.
The framework is not an executive order but officials expect broad, if not universal, compliance.
“Emergency declarations have not suspended obligations to bargain with exclusive representatives,” the framework says in part. “The first priority must be essential service to the public while maintaining employee safety.”
The framework was needed because a few districts did not initially collaborate with unions, said Jeff Freitas, president of the California Federation of Teachers. And some initial working arrangements will need to be revisited with the extension of campus closures, he said.
Some union critics had accused labor of being obstructionist and delaying services to students.
The state will soon offer guidance on grading and graduation requirements, and the education department will host a webinar Thursday with experts on special education through distance learning, officials said. They reiterated that learning should still be happening for all students.
“While right now our campuses are closed to our kids, school is not out for the year. In fact, we are asking everyone to accelerate their efforts to make sure that our students get a great education,” Thurmond said. Seniors will get a break as the University of California and the Cal State system have eased entrance requirements.
“We’re working with our higher education community to make sure that while we can’t provide a graduation ceremony for our students, we can ensure that they graduate and that they move forward,” Thurmond said.
Families are also coming to campuses for meals, Darling-Hammond said — students are getting food from 5,200 sites across the state, she said. That includes more than 60 in L.A. Unified, which is also delivering food to homeless shelters in L.A.
Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.