latimes--2020-04-03--'Please don't lose hope,' officials say as L.A. County coronavirus deaths rise to 78

The death toll from the coronavirus jumped again Thursday to 78 in Los Angeles County as officials warned residents “ many weeks of work ” were ahead before the region might see signs that the spread was slowing .
Although cases are rising across the state , Los Angeles County — the state ’ s most populous — has seen a large number of fatalities and new cases .
Officials acknowledged the psychological toll of the losses but said it ’ s essential people keep following social distancing rules and follow health guidelines .
“ Please don ’ t lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop following all of the directives that you are following right now to slow the spread of COVID-19 , ” said Barbara Ferrer , director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
The county confirmed 13 new coronavirus-related deaths Thursday , bringing the toll to 78 .
Twelve of the victims were older than 65 , and all but one of them had underlying health conditions , Ferrer said .
The other person who died was between ages 41 and 65 and also had underlying health conditions , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 534 new COVID-19 cases .
Long Beach , which has its own health department , announced 14 new cases , bringing the city ’ s total to 153 .
There were 49 confirmed cases in Pasadena , which also has its own health department .
There were more than 4,000 confirmed cases overall in L.A. County as of Thursday night .
The daily count increased by more than 1,000 in 48 hours .
“ The psychological impact of rising case counts and deaths is real , both individually and collectively , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional health and to check in frequently with those in your extended communities , ” Ferrer said .
“ This will be a long haul , and we have many weeks of work ahead before we begin to see the benefits of our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
” As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its march across California , the number of cases in the state swelled to more than 11,000 on Thursday — with the death toll topping 240 .
Of those cases , 40 % have occurred in L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are continuing to urge the public to carry on with unprecedented social distancing measures while also rushing to get more supplies to hospitals amid a rise in patients .
The rapid spread of the virus brought new concerns about whether the state ’ s healthcare system can handle the inflow of patients .
Many California hospitals and local medical centers are grappling with shortages of supplies amid a scramble to prepare for what is expected to be a deluge of patients in the coming weeks .
Although the number of infections continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he believes the state ’ s social distancing efforts have made a difference .
“ The ICU numbers and the hospital numbers , while they ’ re growing , are not growing as significantly as you ’ re seeing in other parts of the country , ” he said Thursday .
“ We ’ re not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination.
” Newsom said 816 patients are in intensive care and 1,922 have been hospitalized from COVID-19 in California as of Thursday .
The governor also announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water turned off because of unpaid bills during the coronavirus crisis , and those who already had it turned off since March 4 , when the statewide coronavirus emergency went into effect , will have their service restored .
Newsom ’ s directive comes in response to calls from environmental justice organizations for assistance to low-income residents facing mounting financial pressures .
“ People are under enormous pressure economically and the last thing they need to worry about now is not having access to water , ” said Steve Fleischli , senior director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Council .
Santa Barbara County recorded its first death from the virus Wednesday .
The person was in their 60s and had underlying health conditions , public health officials said .
Orange County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections Wednesday , as officials announced 107 new cases and three additional deaths .
On Thursday , officials added 56 cases to the list and three deaths , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 13 .
Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Deputy Terrell Young died of complications from the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had served in the department for 15 years and was its first member to succumb to the virus .
Fry reported from Los Angeles , Myers and St. John from Northern California .

Padlocks seal a gate for the Victory Trailhead at the Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Preserve in Woodland Hills.
The death toll from the coronavirus jumped again Thursday to 78 in Los Angeles County as officials warned residents “many weeks of work” were ahead before the region might see signs that the spread was slowing.
Although cases are rising across the state, Los Angeles County — the state’s most populous — has seen a large number of fatalities and new cases. Officials acknowledged the psychological toll of the losses but said it’s essential people keep following social distancing rules and health guidelines.
“Please don’t lose hope, and please don’t stop following all of the directives that you are following right now to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
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The county confirmed 13 new coronavirus-related deaths Thursday, bringing the toll to 78. Twelve of the victims were older than 65, and all but one of them had underlying health conditions, Ferrer said. The other person who died was between ages 41 and 65 and also had underlying health conditions, she said.
Los Angeles County officials also announced 534 new COVID-19 cases. Long Beach, which has its own health department, announced 14 new cases, bringing the city’s total to 153. There were 49 confirmed cases in Pasadena, which also has its own health department. There were more than 4,000 confirmed cases overall in L.A. County as of Thursday night. The daily count increased by more than 1,000 in 48 hours.
“The psychological impact of rising case counts and deaths is real, both individually and collectively, and I urge everyone to take care of their emotional health and to check in frequently with those in your extended communities,” Ferrer said. “This will be a long haul, and we have many weeks of work ahead before we begin to see the benefits of our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
While the L.A. County death toll keeps rising, it’s still a faction of the number in New York City, which has recorded more than 1,500 deaths.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its march across California, the number of cases in the state swelled to more than 11,000 on Thursday — with the death toll topping 240. Of those cases, 40% have occurred in L.A. County.
In the early days of the coronavirus in California, the focus was in Santa Clara County, where an outbreak lead to a series of deaths that prompted the beginning of unprecedented social distancing measures. Deaths continue to rise there, and the county’s population of two million is significantly smaller than Los Angeles, which has a population of about 10 million. New York City’s population is 8.6 million.
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California How Silicon Valley became California’s epicenter of the coronavirus The drivers of Santa Clara County’s economy — tech companies, foreign travel and close human interaction — made it a ripe target for the coronavirus.
Here is how other counties compare:
Santa Clara 36 deaths; 1,019 cases
San Diego 16 deaths; 966 cases
Orange 13 deaths; 656 cases
Riverside 14 deaths; 493 cases
San Mateo 10 deaths 453 cases
San Francisco 7 deaths; 450 cases
Alameda 9 deaths; 396 cases
Sacramento 9 deaths; 341 cases
San Bernardino 8 deaths; 304 cases
Amid the surge, officials are continuing to urge the public to carry on with unprecedented social distancing measures while also rushing to get more supplies to hospitals amid a rise in patients.
The rapid spread of the virus brought new concerns about whether the state’s healthcare system can handle the inflow of patients. Many California hospitals and local medical centers are grappling with shortages of supplies amid a scramble to prepare for what is expected to be a deluge of patients in the coming weeks.
Although the number of infections continues to swell statewide, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he believes the state’s social distancing efforts have made a difference.
“The ICU numbers and the hospital numbers, while they’re growing, are not growing as significantly as you’re seeing in other parts of the country,” he said Thursday. “We’re not out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination.”
Newsom said 816 patients are in intensive care and 1,922 have been hospitalized from COVID-19 in California as of Thursday.
The governor also announced that Californians won’t have their water turned off because of unpaid bills during the coronavirus crisis, and those who already had it turned off since March 4, when the statewide coronavirus emergency went into effect, will have their service restored.
Newsom’s directive comes in response to calls from environmental justice organizations for assistance to low-income residents facing mounting financial pressures.
“People are under enormous pressure economically and the last thing they need to worry about now is not having access to water,” said Steve Fleischli, senior director of water initiatives at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Santa Barbara County recorded its first death from the virus Wednesday. The person was in their 60s and had underlying health conditions, public health officials said.
Orange County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections Wednesday, as officials announced 107 new cases and three additional deaths. On Thursday, officials added 56 cases to the list and three deaths, bringing the county’s death toll to 13.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Terrell Young died of complications from the coronavirus, the department said Thursday. He had served in the department for 15 years and was its first member to succumb to the virus.
Fry reported from Los Angeles, Myers and St. John from Northern California.


latimes--2020-04-02--A cold Pacific storm will bring rain and mountain snow to Southern California on Sunday and Monday

A cold Pacific storm is likely to bring widespread rain and mountain snow to Southern California late Sunday into Monday , the National Weather Service said .
The low system is expected to draw in a plume of moisture from the Pacific that could produce significant precipitation on Sunday and Monday , said Eric Boldt , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard .
The heaviest rainfall is expected on south- and southwest-facing slopes in the mountains and foothills , enhanced by low-level southerly flow .
Rain will be widespread , likely over the entire area Sunday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between midnight Sunday and noon Monday .
Periods of moderate to locally heavy rain could result in totals of a half-inch to an inch for the coast and valleys , and 2 to 3 inches in the mountains .
Snow levels will be 4,500 to 5,500 feet , with accumulations of 6 to 12 inches above 6,000 feet .
Hazardous winter driving conditions because of snow are likely at higher elevations , and mountain resorts could potentially receive significant snow Sunday into Monday .
While flooding is possible at times on roadways , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficiently intense to cause debris flows in recent burn areas .
Gusty southerly winds will accompany the system , especially in the mountains , and temperatures will remain well below normal through next week .
A threat of scattered showers will continue Tuesday through Friday with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms .
If downtown Los Angeles gets close to an inch of rain with this system , it could equal the April average of 0.91 inches .
Any rain would be welcome where three-quarters of the state is at least abnormally dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Drought Monitor data released on Thursday shows no change from last week , with only a quarter of the state drought free .
The drought-free portions include most of San Diego County , all of Imperial County , western Riverside and San Bernardino counties and southeastern Inyo County .
There is a section in northern Siskiyou County near the Oregon border that is classified as being in severe drought .

Moisture from a low in the Pacific Ocean southwest of the Aleutians will stream into the California coast.
A cold Pacific storm is likely to bring widespread rain and mountain snow to Southern California late Sunday into Monday, the National Weather Service said.
The low system is expected to draw in a plume of moisture from the Pacific that could produce significant precipitation on Sunday and Monday, said Eric Boldt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. The heaviest rainfall is expected on south- and southwest-facing slopes in the mountains and foothills, enhanced by low-level southerly flow.
Rain will be widespread, likely over the entire area Sunday night, with the most intense rain falling between midnight Sunday and noon Monday.
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The heaviest rain is likely from Sunday night into Monday morning. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
Periods of moderate to locally heavy rain could result in totals of a half-inch to an inch for the coast and valleys, and 2 to 3 inches in the mountains. Snow levels will be 4,500 to 5,500 feet, with accumulations of 6 to 12 inches above 6,000 feet. Hazardous winter driving conditions because of snow are likely at higher elevations, and mountain resorts could potentially receive significant snow Sunday into Monday.
While flooding is possible at times on roadways, the system does not appear to be sufficiently intense to cause debris flows in recent burn areas.
Gusty southerly winds will accompany the system, especially in the mountains, and temperatures will remain well below normal through next week.
A threat of scattered showers will continue Tuesday through Friday with a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
Much of California remains abnormally dry or in drought conditions, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
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If downtown Los Angeles gets close to an inch of rain with this system, it could equal the April average of 0.91 inches. Any rain would be welcome where three-quarters of the state is at least abnormally dry or in drought. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor data released on Thursday shows no change from last week, with only a quarter of the state drought free. The drought-free portions include most of San Diego County, all of Imperial County, western Riverside and San Bernardino counties and southeastern Inyo County. There is a section in northern Siskiyou County near the Oregon border that is classified as being in severe drought.


latimes--2020-04-02--LAPD officers will wear masks or coverings as a coronavirus precaution

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Thursday that more police officers will be wearing protective masks or other face coverings as an added safety measure amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The move came as the number of police officers confirmed with coronavirus rose to 35 .
“ Effective today , you may see your local LAPD officers wearing either surgical masks or nonmedical face coverings while in public .
This is for our safety , and for your safety .
Coupled with safe social distancing , we will continue to protect and serve through this crisis , ” Moore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s deputy died Thursday morning from , the latest sign of how law enforcement is being hit hard by the outbreak .
The department tweeted that Deputy Terrell Young was its first member to succumb to the virus .
Law enforcement personnel are among more than 200 people who have died of the coronavirus in the state .
A police detective died last week .
Since the outbreak began , the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department has sent home to quarantine because of exposure to the virus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13,000 employees .
The department is now of officers as they arrive for their shifts .
Department roll calls are now conducted with officers spaced to ensure social distancing .
Those with even slight signs of illness have been ordered to stay home .
Work spaces are frequently sanitized , and officers are equipped with N95 masks , gloves and goggles if needed .

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Thursday that more police officers will be wearing protective masks or other face coverings as an added safety measure amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The move came as the number of police officers confirmed with coronavirus rose to 35.
“Effective today, you may see your local LAPD officers wearing either surgical masks or nonmedical face coverings while in public. This is for our safety, and for your safety. Coupled with safe social distancing, we will continue to protect and serve through this crisis,” Moore said on Twitter.
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A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy died Thursday morning from complications of the coronavirus , the latest sign of how law enforcement is being hit hard by the outbreak. The department tweeted that Deputy Terrell Young was its first member to succumb to the virus.
Law enforcement personnel are among more than 200 people who have died of the coronavirus in the state. A Santa Rosa police detective died last week.
Since the outbreak began, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has sent 209 employees home to quarantine because of exposure to the virus.
The LAPD continues to test more of its 13,000 employees. The department is now taking the temperatures of officers as they arrive for their shifts. Department roll calls are now conducted with officers spaced to ensure social distancing. Those with even slight signs of illness have been ordered to stay home.
Work spaces are frequently sanitized, and officers are equipped with N95 masks, gloves and goggles if needed.


latimes--2020-04-02--Diagnosed with the coronavirus, 32-year-old L.A. woman dies next day

A 32-year old Los Angeles woman has been identified as the fourth Salvadoran immigrant to die in the U.S. after being infected by the coronavirus , according to that country ’ s consulate .
In a report by the local Telemundo station , her family said Jéssica Beatriz Cortez immigrated to the U.S. three years ago .
Her brother said that she was diagnosed with COVID-19 one day last week and died the next .
“ She began by complaining about body aches , that she felt a heaviness and fatigue , ” said Cesar Cortez in an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister showed up to work on March 23 , but shortly after began to feel symptoms that included body pain and chills .
Cortez said the family was surprised by how quickly she went from feeling ill to dying .
She was hospitalized on Friday , he said , and died the very next day .
“ This all happened in less than a week , ” Cortez said .
“ I got a call that she was in very grave condition… I left what I was doing and went to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already passed away.
” He said the worst part was knowing that no one could be with his sister as her life slipped away .
“ That ’ s the hardest part , ” Cortez said .
“ That she died alone.
” He said he did not think the family would even be able to witness his sister ’ s cremation .
Consular officials told the Los Angeles Times that along with Jéssica Beatriz Cortez , three other Salvadoran immigrants have died in New York .

Jéssica Beatriz Cortez died over the weekend from the coronavirus in Los Angeles.
A 32-year old Los Angeles woman has been identified as the fourth Salvadoran immigrant to die in the U.S. after being infected by the coronavirus, according to that country’s consulate.
In a report by the local Telemundo station, her family said Jéssica Beatriz Cortez immigrated to the U.S. three years ago. Her brother said that she was diagnosed with COVID-19 one day last week and died the next.
“She began by complaining about body aches, that she felt a heaviness and fatigue,” said Cesar Cortez in an interview with the television station.
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He said his sister showed up to work on March 23, but shortly after began to feel symptoms that included body pain and chills.
Cortez said the family was surprised by how quickly she went from feeling ill to dying. She was hospitalized on Friday, he said, and died the very next day.
“This all happened in less than a week,” Cortez said. “I got a call that she was in very grave condition… I left what I was doing and went to the hospital and when I got there, she had already passed away.”
He said the worst part was knowing that no one could be with his sister as her life slipped away.
“That’s the hardest part,” Cortez said. “That she died alone.”
He said he did not think the family would even be able to witness his sister’s cremation.
Consular officials told the Los Angeles Times that along with Jéssica Beatriz Cortez, three other Salvadoran immigrants have died in New York.


latimes--2020-04-02--Bay Area officials urge residents to wear masks or face coverings in fight against coronavirus

Bay Area health officials urged residents to wear face coverings when going outside the home for shopping and other trips in another effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
The move comes as officials in parts of Southern California have offered the same guidance .
“ The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth .
For example , bandanas , fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable .
Fabric covers and bandanas can be washed and used again , ” health officials from San Francisco , San Mateo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Health officials do not recommend that the public use medical masks ( N-95 or surgical masks ) , which are in limited supply and must be preserved for our health care workers and first responders.
” California officials said face coverings can prevent people from becoming infected with the new coronavirus or spreading it to others , but they stressed it should not be a substitute for physical distancing , hand washing and other measures .
“ Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19 , but Californians should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they choose to wear them .
Make sure you ’ re also staying 6 feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency , said in a statement .
State officials have said people should not use medical and surgical masks , which are desperately needed by medical personnel .
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said healthy people do not need a mask if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an infected person .
But in recent days , the CDC has been weighing whether to modify its recommendations and endorse the use of homemade masks .
At a Wednesday afternoon news briefing , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said everyone performing essential tasks such as shopping for food should wear homemade , nonmedical face coverings , or even bandannas , as people in other countries have done .
“ In addition to shelter-in-place and social distancing requirements , wearing a mask in public is an important tool to stop the community spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morrow , San Mateo County ’ s health officer , said in a statement .
“ People with no or mild symptoms may have coronavirus and not know it .
Wearing face coverings helps protect others from exposure .
”

Joan Irvine wears a mask fashioned from a bandanna and hair ties while walking along the Esplanade in Redondo Beach on Thursday.
Bay Area health officials urged residents to wear face coverings when going outside the home for shopping and other trips in another effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The move comes as officials in parts of Southern California have offered the same guidance.
“The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandanas, fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandanas can be washed and used again,” health officials from San Francisco, San Mateo and Alameda counties said in similar statements. “Health officials do not recommend that the public use medical masks (N-95 or surgical masks), which are in limited supply and must be preserved for our health care workers and first responders.”
California officials said face coverings can prevent people from becoming infected with the new coronavirus or spreading it to others, but they stressed it should not be a substitute for physical distancing, hand washing and other measures.
“Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19, but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them. Make sure you’re also staying 6 feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, said in a statement.
State officials have said people should not use medical and surgical masks, which are desperately needed by medical personnel.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said healthy people do not need a mask if they are not working in healthcare or caring for an infected person. But in recent days, the CDC has been weighing whether to modify its recommendations and endorse the use of homemade masks.
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At a Wednesday afternoon news briefing, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said everyone performing essential tasks such as shopping for food should wear homemade, nonmedical face coverings, or even bandannas, as people in other countries have done.
Officials stressed that physical distancing rules remain in place.
“In addition to shelter-in-place and social distancing requirements, wearing a mask in public is an important tool to stop the community spread of this disease,” Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County’s health officer, said in a statement. “People with no or mild symptoms may have coronavirus and not know it. Wearing face coverings helps protect others from exposure.”


latimes--2020-04-02--Mass release of California prisoners weighed by judges amid coronavirus fears

As parole dates are sped up and inmates tear shirts and socks to make masks , federal judges are weighing whether California must take larger , more drastic steps to avert the spread of COVID-19 in its teeming prisons .
“ There is injury and despair ” among inmates living in crowded dorms under threat of the coronavirus , attorney Sarah Norman with the Prison Law Office said during an emergency hearing Thursday before three federal judges .
The remedies that inmate lawyers propose range from mass releases to the state ’ s use of empty buildings and acquisition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 measures to house cruise ship passengers and the homeless .
Lawyers for Gov .
Gavin Newsom contend that federal intervention is unwarranted and mass prison releases might endanger the public by overloading already struggling community hospitals .
“ We should be afforded the opportunity granted to us to attempt social distancing , ” said Paul Mello , a private attorney representing the governor ’ s office .
“ We can move people into gyms ... .
We can move people into vacant facilities .
We should be afforded the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no constitutional requirement for six-foot social distancing within the prison .
Nor did he know if the state has plans to reach that goal .
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller , sitting in Sacramento , pressed California ’ s lawyer on whether inmates should have the same chance at social distancing as the rest of the citizenry , as a matter of “ decency.
” He did not answer .
But Mello said it would be a “ red herring ” to raise fears of increased crime and that recidivism was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objections to prison releases .
The federal judges have not said when they will rule on the emergency motion brought by lawyers representing prisoners .
California already shut off visitation and volunteer programs , halted the admission of an expected 3,000 new inmates waiting in county jails , and began screening workers as they enter prisons .
With those measures , the spread of the coronavirus has been somewhat limited and more than half the state ’ s 35 prisons had no reported cases of COVID-19 .
As of April 2 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers and eight inmates in 16 prisons .
However , inmate testing is spotty , with only eight inmates screened at a Chino prison despite infection of 11 prison workers .
California ’ s lawyers contend plans for housing , programming and public benefits have already begun for 3,500 inmates to be released early in the next two months , thereby lessening the impact on home communities and county probation offices .
The court-appointed chief of prison medical care , J. Clark Kelso , told prison administrators in an email last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction ” in the prison population , but focused on inmates who have homes and families to return to .
For those who don ’ t , Kelso wrote , “ an early release is unlikely to improve the inmates ’ environment from a healthcare perspective and may increase the COVID-19 risk in the community of release.
” State lawyers also argue in court papers that a large release would hamper programs to help the homeless and burden hospitals .
“ Community hospitals , social services and safety nets and other infrastructure are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current needs of the community , ” they said .
“ A mass release could further add to the strain the free world healthcare system is under right now.
” But the state prison system already relies on many of those same community hospitals for high-level patient care , state lawyers acknowledged .
And it is unclear if prisons have the resources to deal with inmates whose lungs are attacked by COVID-19 .
The federal receiver ’ s office , which has overseen inmate care since 2006 , told The Times it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators within the prison system .
A lead attorney in longstanding federal litigation with the state said he believes the number is zero .
Some 46,000 inmates live in open dorms with bunks two feet apart .
The prison medical system reports that 45,000 of the state ’ s 120,000 inmates — 37 % —have at least one health risk to COVID-19 infection , including 14,700 inmates with asthma .
California plans to move some 500 inmates out of open dorms to alternative housing that includes beds set up in gymnasiums , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the height of prison crowding .
Prison laborers have also been asked to manufacture hand sanitizer for the prison system .
Several inmates , speaking directly or through family members , have told The Times they feel at risk .
They describe elderly , infirm and young inmates crowded together in dorms with shortages of soap and lack of access to sanitizing chemicals and some are fashioning their own protective gear .
“ My dad said guys are now making masks out of anything they can , shirts , socks ... ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Institution for Men in Chino , where 12 people have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Prison systems nationwide have been under pressure for weeks to step up their efforts .
The response has been mixed .
The federal Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday announced a 14-day soft lockdown at its 122 prisons , permitting some access to educational and mental health programs but confining most inmates to their cells after an inmate died at a penitentiary in Louisiana .
Several California prison medical and corrections officers have told The Times that despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitation , life on the prison yard remains unaltered .
“ Just yesterday I witnessed large groups of inmates together on the yard while on the other side of the yard 20 +/- correctional officers all gathered together for a potluck dinner , ” one prison employee wrote , speaking anonymously because he said he feared losing his job for discussing prison conditions without authorization .
“ Earlier in the week there were a handful of inmates put on quarantine for symptoms then taken off 3 days later , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ another source corroborate that account .
They show multiple cell blocks locked down when clusters of inmates develop flu-like symptoms , and returned to normal activity a week later .
“ Nothing about this pandemic is being taken seriously , ” the state employee said , “ and thousands of inmates and workers are in great danger .
”

Dorm housing at California Institution for Men in Chino, where there are now 12 COVID-19 cases.
As parole dates are sped up and inmates tear shirts and socks to make masks, federal judges are weighing whether California must take larger, more drastic steps to avert the spread of COVID-19 in its teeming prisons.
“There is injury and despair” among inmates living in crowded dorms under threat of the coronavirus, attorney Sarah Norman with the Prison Law Office said during an emergency hearing Thursday before three federal judges.
The remedies that inmate lawyers propose range from mass releases to the state’s use of empty buildings and acquisition of property to temporarily house inmates — akin to COVID-19 measures to house cruise ship passengers and the homeless.
Lawyers for Gov. Gavin Newsom contend that federal intervention is unwarranted and mass prison releases might endanger the public by overloading already struggling community hospitals.
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“We should be afforded the opportunity granted to us to attempt social distancing,” said Paul Mello, a private attorney representing the governor’s office. “We can move people into gyms.... We can move people into vacant facilities. We should be afforded the opportunity to do those things.”
Mello said there is no constitutional requirement for six-foot social distancing within the prison. Nor did he know if the state has plans to reach that goal.
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller, sitting in Sacramento, pressed California’s lawyer on whether inmates should have the same chance at social distancing as the rest of the citizenry, as a matter of “decency.” He did not answer.
But Mello said it would be a “red herring” to raise fears of increased crime and that recidivism was not a part of the state’s objections to prison releases.
The federal judges have not said when they will rule on the emergency motion brought by lawyers representing prisoners.
California already shut off visitation and volunteer programs, halted the admission of an expected 3,000 new inmates waiting in county jails, and began screening workers as they enter prisons. With those measures, the spread of the coronavirus has been somewhat limited and more than half the state’s 35 prisons had no reported cases of COVID-19.
As of April 2, the corrections department reported infections of 33 prison workers and eight inmates in 16 prisons. However, inmate testing is spotty, with only eight inmates screened at a Chino prison despite infection of 11 prison workers.
California’s lawyers contend plans for housing, programming and public benefits have already begun for 3,500 inmates to be released early in the next two months, thereby lessening the impact on home communities and county probation offices.
The court-appointed chief of prison medical care, J. Clark Kelso, told prison administrators in an email last week that he supports an “immediate, substantial reduction” in the prison population, but focused on inmates who have homes and families to return to.
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For those who don’t, Kelso wrote, “an early release is unlikely to improve the inmates’ environment from a healthcare perspective and may increase the COVID-19 risk in the community of release.”
State lawyers also argue in court papers that a large release would hamper programs to help the homeless and burden hospitals.
“Community hospitals, social services and safety nets and other infrastructure are highly stressed, struggling mightily to address the current needs of the community,” they said. “A mass release could further add to the strain the free world healthcare system is under right now.”
But the state prison system already relies on many of those same community hospitals for high-level patient care, state lawyers acknowledged. And it is unclear if prisons have the resources to deal with inmates whose lungs are attacked by COVID-19.
The federal receiver’s office, which has overseen inmate care since 2006, told The Times it has no records reflecting the number of ventilators within the prison system. A lead attorney in longstanding federal litigation with the state said he believes the number is zero.
Some 46,000 inmates live in open dorms with bunks two feet apart. The prison medical system reports that 45,000 of the state’s 120,000 inmates — 37% —have at least one health risk to COVID-19 infection, including 14,700 inmates with asthma.
California plans to move some 500 inmates out of open dorms to alternative housing that includes beds set up in gymnasiums, a return to a practice California used during the height of prison crowding. Prison laborers have also been asked to manufacture hand sanitizer for the prison system.
Several inmates, speaking directly or through family members, have told The Times they feel at risk. They describe elderly, infirm and young inmates crowded together in dorms with shortages of soap and lack of access to sanitizing chemicals and some are fashioning their own protective gear.
“My dad said guys are now making masks out of anything they can, shirts, socks...” said a woman whose father is at the California Institution for Men in Chino, where 12 people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Prison systems nationwide have been under pressure for weeks to step up their efforts. The response has been mixed.
The federal Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday announced a 14-day soft lockdown at its 122 prisons, permitting some access to educational and mental health programs but confining most inmates to their cells after an inmate died at a penitentiary in Louisiana.
Several California prison medical and corrections officers have told The Times that despite public proclamations of social distancing and increased sanitation, life on the prison yard remains unaltered.
“Just yesterday I witnessed large groups of inmates together on the yard while on the other side of the yard 20 +/- correctional officers all gathered together for a potluck dinner,” one prison employee wrote, speaking anonymously because he said he feared losing his job for discussing prison conditions without authorization.
“Earlier in the week there were a handful of inmates put on quarantine for symptoms then taken off 3 days later,” he said.
Prison records provided to The Times by another source corroborate that account. They show multiple cell blocks locked down when clusters of inmates develop flu-like symptoms, and returned to normal activity a week later.
“Nothing about this pandemic is being taken seriously,” the state employee said, “and thousands of inmates and workers are in great danger.”


latimes--2020-04-02--As coronavirus cases rise, O.C. moves to convert two hotels into housing, medical facilities for the

As coronavirus cases rise, O.C. moves to convert two hotels into housing, medical facilities for the homeless

Officials in Orange County entered into an agreement this week with a boutique hotel group to convert two properties into temporary housing and medical facilities for the homeless amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The Ayres Hotels , located in Orange and Laguna Woods , will be leased on a month-to-month basis to shelter and provide medical care for homeless individuals who are over age 65 , have underlying health conditions , are showing symptoms of the coronavirus or who have tested positive , according to county officials .
Homeless people , who are more likely to have underlying health conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living on the streets , are at a higher risk for developing severe forms of COVID-19 than the general population , health experts say .
Officials across the state have been working on ways to quickly move people indoors amid fears that an outbreak in this vulnerable population could strain an already fragile health system .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has allocated $ 50 million to purchase or lease hotels and motels across the state for that purpose , along with an additional $ 100 million in emergency grants .
The state is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use in isolating homeless people .
County Executive Officer Frank Kim said during a news conference Thursday that the locations are among several identified throughout the county that could eventually care for at-risk unsheltered individuals .
He declined to identify the cities or other hotels being considered .
It is not clear how much the county is paying to lease the hotels .
“ Speed is of the greatest importance , ” he said .
“ Our ability as a community to share in this incredibly difficult burden , as well as respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest-risk individuals and provide the necessary medical and provision of services within this motel environment , is something we were directed to do.
” Ayres Hotels said in a statement that they would not be accepting any new guests after Wednesday when the lease with the county began .
“ We are happy to help Orange County during this difficult time , and look forward to business returning to normal .
Orange County will return the hotel professionally cleaned in the original condition when the lease expires , ” the hotel group said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a clearer understanding of when this health crisis will be under control , we will advise guests when they can begin making reservations.
” News of the agreement comes as confirmed cases of coronavirus in Orange County continue to swell .
The county saw its biggest single-day increase in infections Wednesday , as officials announced 107 new cases and three deaths .
On Thursday , officials added 56 new cases to their list and three additional deaths .
Of the more than 7,790 people who have been tested countywide , 656 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed .
Of those who have died , seven were 65 or older and three were between 45 and 64 .
One was between 35 and 44 and two others were between 45 and 64 .
During a news conference on Thursday , county health officials suggested that residents who must leave their homes for essential activities wear face coverings while they ’ re in public .
However , they cautioned against using N95 or surgical masks , which are already in short supply for healthcare workers .
“ Wearing a cloth face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities may help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by residents who are positive but don ’ t have any symptoms , ” said county health officer Dr. Nichole Quick .
“ However , it ’ s important for community members to remember that face coverings are not a replacement for prevention measures like social distancing and frequent hand washing , which continue to be the best way to protect yourself.
” More than 100 people across the county are currently being hospitalized and 47 people are in intensive care units .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients seeking medical care is likely still a week or two away .
With that in mind , officials have started identifying locations that could house patients to help relieve the burden on the county ’ s healthcare system .
The Fairview Developmental Center — a state-owned property in Costa Mesa which has long housed adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities — will be used as an alternative care site as part of to boost hospital capacity statewide .
The center will provide up to 1,100 new hospital beds that should be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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.
” 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat the disease .
On Thursday , Laguna Woods officials pushed back on the county ’ s agreement with Ayres Hotels suggesting the possibility of future legal action to prevent ill individuals from being housed at the facility .
Mayor Noel Hatch pointed to the city ’ s large population of elderly residents who are also at risk of contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill. Officials say they received no warning from the county that an agreement was being negotiated .
“ The city is deeply concerned with the County of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals afflicted with COVID-19 right in the middle of the most concentrated community of older adults in Orange County , ” he said .
“ I have spoken with Supervisor [ Lisa ] Bartlett and requested that the Orange County Board of Supervisors revisit County staff ’ s decision to open this facility , recognizing that a greater danger will be created for an entire segment of the very population they ’ re trying to protect.
” County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett , who represents several cities in South Orange County including Laguna Woods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comment .
Residents of Laguna Woods Village , a 55-and-older community that houses the majority of the city ’ s 18,000 residents , have also expressed concerns over potentially being forced to grocery shop and purchase medication in the same retail areas as people with the virus .
“ Residents are unnerved , ” said Eileen Paulin , director of media and communications for the village .
“ It ’ s like nobody stopped to look at where the hotel was located in relation to the community .
They really couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

In this 2018 file photo, a homeless man and woman walk along an encampment at the Santa Ana river trail in Orange County. County officials have entered into an agreement with a hotel operator to house and treat unsheltered people amid the coronavirus.
Officials in Orange County entered into an agreement this week with a boutique hotel group to convert two properties into temporary housing and medical facilities for the homeless amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Ayres Hotels, located in Orange and Laguna Woods, will be leased on a month-to-month basis to shelter and provide medical care for homeless individuals who are over age 65, have underlying health conditions, are showing symptoms of the coronavirus or who have tested positive, according to county officials.
Homeless people, who are more likely to have underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems, often from living on the streets, are at a higher risk for developing severe forms of COVID-19 than the general population, health experts say.
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Officials across the state have been working on ways to quickly move people indoors amid fears that an outbreak in this vulnerable population could strain an already fragile health system.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has allocated $50 million to purchase or lease hotels and motels across the state for that purpose, along with an additional $100 million in emergency grants. The state is also providing trailers to Orange County to use in isolating homeless people.
County Executive Officer Frank Kim said during a news conference Thursday that the locations are among several identified throughout the county that could eventually care for at-risk unsheltered individuals. He declined to identify the cities or other hotels being considered. It is not clear how much the county is paying to lease the hotels.
“Speed is of the greatest importance,” he said. “Our ability as a community to share in this incredibly difficult burden, as well as respond as quick as possible to isolate these highest-risk individuals and provide the necessary medical and provision of services within this motel environment, is something we were directed to do.”
Ayres Hotels said in a statement that they would not be accepting any new guests after Wednesday when the lease with the county began.
“We are happy to help Orange County during this difficult time, and look forward to business returning to normal. Orange County will return the hotel professionally cleaned in the original condition when the lease expires,” the hotel group said in a statement. “Once, we have a clearer understanding of when this health crisis will be under control, we will advise guests when they can begin making reservations.”
News of the agreement comes as confirmed cases of coronavirus in Orange County continue to swell.
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The county saw its biggest single-day increase in infections Wednesday, as officials announced 107 new cases and three deaths. On Thursday, officials added 56 new cases to their list and three additional deaths.
Of the more than 7,790 people who have been tested countywide, 656 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths have been confirmed. Of those who have died, seven were 65 or older and three were between 45 and 64. One was between 35 and 44 and two others were between 45 and 64.
During a news conference on Thursday, county health officials suggested that residents who must leave their homes for essential activities wear face coverings while they’re in public. However, they cautioned against using N95 or surgical masks, which are already in short supply for healthcare workers.
“Wearing a cloth face covering when leaving the house for essential activities may help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by residents who are positive but don’t have any symptoms,” said county health officer Dr. Nichole Quick. “However, it’s important for community members to remember that face coverings are not a replacement for prevention measures like social distancing and frequent hand washing, which continue to be the best way to protect yourself.”
More than 100 people across the county are currently being hospitalized and 47 people are in intensive care units. However, county health officials say the surge in patients seeking medical care is likely still a week or two away.
With that in mind, officials have started identifying locations that could house patients to help relieve the burden on the county’s healthcare system.
The Fairview Developmental Center — a state-owned property in Costa Mesa which has long housed adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities — will be used as an alternative care site as part of a wider effort to boost hospital capacity statewide.
The center 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.”
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.
On Thursday, Laguna Woods officials pushed back on the county’s agreement with Ayres Hotels suggesting the possibility of future legal action to prevent ill individuals from being housed at the facility.
Mayor Noel Hatch pointed to the city’s large population of elderly residents who are also at risk of contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill. Officials say they received no warning from the county that an agreement was being negotiated.
“The city is deeply concerned with the County of Orange’s unilateral decision to place individuals afflicted with COVID-19 right in the middle of the most concentrated community of older adults in Orange County,” he said. “I have spoken with Supervisor [Lisa] Bartlett and requested that the Orange County Board of Supervisors revisit County staff’s decision to open this facility, recognizing that a greater danger will be created for an entire segment of the very population they’re trying to protect.”
County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, who represents several cities in South Orange County including Laguna Woods, did not respond to a request for comment.
Residents of Laguna Woods Village, a 55-and-older community that houses the majority of the city’s 18,000 residents, have also expressed concerns over potentially being forced to grocery shop and purchase medication in the same retail areas as people with the virus.
“Residents are unnerved,” said Eileen Paulin, director of media and communications for the village. “It’s like nobody stopped to look at where the hotel was located in relation to the community. They really couldn’t have chosen a worse spot.”
Staff writer Luke Money contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-02--Californians won't have water service turned off for unpaid bills during coronavirus crisis, Newsom

Californians won't have water service turned off for unpaid bills during coronavirus crisis, Newsom says

Californians won ’ t have their water turned off due to unpaid bills during the coronavirus crisis , and those who already had it turned off will have their service restored , under action taken Thursday by Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
The governor ’ s directive comes in response to calls from environmental justice organizations for assistance to low-income residents facing mounting financial pressures .
“ This executive order will help people who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring they have water service , ” Newsom said in a written statement after hinting at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Water is critical to our very lives , and in this time it is critically important that it is available for everyone.
” The decision also requires that residential water service be restored to those who had it turned off for lack of payment since March 4 , when the statewide coronavirus emergency went into effect .
“ People are under enormous pressure economically and the last thing they need to worry about now is not having access to water , ” said Steve Fleischli , senior director of water initiatives at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 private and public water agencies had already offered help to customers unable to pay their bills , according to Newsom ’ s office .
Governors in several other states , including Michigan , Ohio and North Carolina , have issued similar orders ensuring that water service won ’ t be denied to those who don ’ t pay their bills .
Fleischli said that while the decision by Newsom is welcome news , it won ’ t help those struggling Californians who had water service shut off due to unpaid bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We think everyone should be connected , ” he said .
Nor does it address the needs of rural communities that rely on bottled supplies because of contaminants in tap water .
The financial impact to water agencies remains unclear , as does whether the state government might agree to replace lost operating dollars .
Newsom ’ s order includes small businesses in the moratorium for water shutoffs , though that would likely only apply to those following state or local directives permitting only “ essential ” businesses to remain open .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti approved water shutoffs to nonessential businesses that refuse to close their doors .
The governor also announced on Thursday an additional boost to small business owners , granting them a one-year delay in paying up to $ 50,000 in sales taxes — money paid by customers and normally sent every month to government officials .
“ In essence , it is a bridge loan , ” the governor said of the new effort during his webcast .
“ The money that you ’ ve already collected , you will not have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No penalties , no interest — de facto a loan.
” Newsom issued an executive order on Monday that gave businesses until the end of July to comply with sales tax filings .
The action taken Thursday pushes out the requirements to a full year .
Only businesses that have $ 5 million or less in taxable sales would be eligible .
But the relief for some business owners could come at the expense of local services .
A sizable portion of sales taxes , though sent by businesses to the state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across California .
Dozens of communities have enacted their own local sales taxes , either to pay for basic programs such as public safety or to boost other government services .
A 2018 report by the independent Legislative Analyst ’ s Office found that slightly more than half of all annual sales and use taxes goes back to local needs .
Newsom ’ s decision to allow a business to hold onto $ 50,000 of those tax revenues could mean reduced funds in the coming months for a variety of vital city and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear how this initiative will be implemented , but it simply can not occur in a manner that redirects county funding and erodes the very services most in need , ” Graham Knaus , executive director of the California State Assn .
of Counties , said in a written statement .
“ Counties face dire cash flow challenges due to COVID-19 costs to protect communities and can not absorb a significant loss of sales tax revenue that would directly impact funding for public safety , public health and behavioral health services.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there was no immediate plan to replace the delayed local funds with an equal amount of state tax revenue .
Newsom has allocated some , but not all , of the $ 1 billion in emergency response funds approved by the Legislature last month .

Californians won’t have their water turned off due to unpaid bills during the coronavirus crisis, and those who already had it turned off will have their service restored, under action taken Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The governor’s directive comes in response to calls from environmental justice organizations for assistance to low-income residents facing mounting financial pressures.
“This executive order will help people who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring they have water service,” Newsom said in a written statement after hinting at the action during an event broadcast online. “Water is critical to our very lives, and in this time it is critically important that it is available for everyone.”
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The decision also requires that residential water service be restored to those who had it turned off for lack of payment since March 4, when the statewide coronavirus emergency went into effect.
“People are under enormous pressure economically and the last thing they need to worry about now is not having access to water,” said Steve Fleischli, senior director of water initiatives at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
More than 100 private and public water agencies had already offered help to customers unable to pay their bills, according to Newsom’s office.
Governors in several other states, including Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina, have issued similar orders ensuring that water service won’t be denied to those who don’t pay their bills.
Fleischli said that while the decision by Newsom is welcome news, it won’t help those struggling Californians who had water service shut off due to unpaid bills prior to the public health crisis.
“We think everyone should be connected,” he said. Nor does it address the needs of rural communities that rely on bottled supplies because of contaminants in tap water.
The financial impact to water agencies remains unclear, as does whether the state government might agree to replace lost operating dollars.
Newsom’s order includes small businesses in the moratorium for water shutoffs, though that would likely only apply to those following state or local directives permitting only “essential” businesses to remain open. On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti approved water shutoffs to nonessential businesses that refuse to close their doors.
The governor also announced on Thursday an additional boost to small business owners, granting them a one-year delay in paying up to $50,000 in sales taxes — money paid by customers and normally sent every month to government officials.
Advertisement
“In essence, it is a bridge loan,” the governor said of the new effort during his webcast. “The money that you’ve already collected, you will not have to pay the state for 12 months. No penalties, no interest — de facto a loan.”
Newsom issued an executive order on Monday that gave businesses until the end of July to comply with sales tax filings. The action taken Thursday pushes out the requirements to a full year. Only businesses that have $5 million or less in taxable sales would be eligible.
But the relief for some business owners could come at the expense of local services. A sizable portion of sales taxes, though sent by businesses to the state, is later returned to cities and counties across California. Dozens of communities have enacted their own local sales taxes, either to pay for basic programs such as public safety or to boost other government services.
A 2018 report by the independent Legislative Analyst’s Office found that slightly more than half of all annual sales and use taxes goes back to local needs.
Newsom’s decision to allow a business to hold onto $50,000 of those tax revenues could mean reduced funds in the coming months for a variety of vital city and county services.
“It’s unclear how this initiative will be implemented, but it simply cannot occur in a manner that redirects county funding and erodes the very services most in need,” Graham Knaus, executive director of the California State Assn. of Counties, said in a written statement. “Counties face dire cash flow challenges due to COVID-19 costs to protect communities and cannot absorb a significant loss of sales tax revenue that would directly impact funding for public safety, public health and behavioral health services.”
A spokesman for the California Department of Finance said there was no immediate plan to replace the delayed local funds with an equal amount of state tax revenue. Newsom has allocated some, but not all, of the $1 billion in emergency response funds approved by the Legislature last month.


latimes--2020-04-02--FBI looks for ties to extremist groups in train derailment near hospital ship Mercy

The FBI is examining whether a man accused of intentionally derailing a freight train near the Navy hospital ship Mercy , which is docked in San Pedro to help with the coronavirus crisis , had any ties to extremist groups , and agents are digging into his social media background .
Eduardo Moreno , 44 , of San Pedro was charged with deliberately wrecking a train during the incident Tuesday , which led to a derailment and fuel leak , according to the charges .
“ Moreno is the only person charged in the case .
While the government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremist ideology , our investigation is continuing , ” the FBI said in a statement to The Times .
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 .
Prosecutors said Moreno admitted during an interview that he had run the train beyond the track because he believed the Mercy was part of suspicious activities involving the coronavirus .
Moreno , according to multiple sources , believed the Mercy was part of a government control conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the incident .
Moreno was an employee of Pacific Harbor Line , which operates inside the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complex .
He had been a locomotive engineer for several years .
According to an affidavit , he said he thought his act would bring media attention and “ people could see for themselves , ” referring to the Mercy .
Moreno appeared Wednesday in court , and his bond hearing was delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the investigation , officials have found he was a member of a Facebook group interested in train crashes .

The Navy hospital ship Mercy leaves port in San Diego. Now deployed in Los Angeles, it has 1,000 beds and is treating patients who do not have the coronavirus to ease the strain on hospitals.
The FBI is examining whether a man accused of intentionally derailing a freight train near the Navy hospital ship Mercy, which is docked in San Pedro to help with the coronavirus crisis, had any ties to extremist groups, and agents are digging into his social media background.
Eduardo Moreno, 44, of San Pedro was charged with deliberately wrecking a train during the incident Tuesday, which led to a derailment and fuel leak, according to the charges.
“Moreno is the only person charged in the case. While the government has made no allegations linking Moreno to an extremist ideology, our investigation is continuing,” the FBI said in a statement to The Times.
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.
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Prosecutors said Moreno admitted during an interview that he had run the train beyond the track because he believed the Mercy was part of suspicious activities involving the coronavirus.
Moreno, according to multiple sources, believed the Mercy was part of a government control conspiracy designed to divide and control the people. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the incident.
Moreno was an employee of Pacific Harbor Line, which operates inside the Los Angeles and Long Beach port complex. He had been a locomotive engineer for several years.
According to an affidavit, he said he thought his act would bring media attention and “people could see for themselves,” referring to the Mercy.
Moreno appeared Wednesday in court, and his bond hearing was delayed until Friday.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, officials have found he was a member of a Facebook group interested in train crashes.


latimes--2020-04-01--The most compelling photos of California during pandemic

A man working out in his driveway because his gym is closed .
People lined up 75 deep waiting to @ @ @ @ @ Home Depot blocked off by shopping carts .
Near-empty parks , freeways and store shelves @ @ @ @ @ of the unusual new scenes across the Southland in the age of the coronavirus pandemic @

New normal?
Let’s hope not. But the lives of everybody in the state of California and across the globe have changed.
So has the landscape. Crowded freeways, busy shopping centers and packed restaurants have been replaced by empty streets, boarded-up stores and more dogs going on walks than ever before.
Following are some of the unusual scenes across the Southland in the age of the coronavirus outbreak.
This neighborhood gallery will be updated daily.
Armando Mendoza, 53, of Anaheim, celebrates with all his health-care professionals and his family after spending 45 days at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. Mendoza was the hospital’s second-ever COVID-19 patient.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Majid Bradshaw, 33, makes his way down a walkway on a hot afternoon in Santa Monica. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
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A beachgoer walks along the shoreline in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
View of Mesquite Dunes, shutdown due to coronavirus at a closed Death Valley National Park, May 6, 2020. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Caroline Kousidonis, 52, of Venice, wears a protective mask while walking past a mural on Lincoln Blvd. in Venice. She is a producer for television commercials and said that her work has been reduced by over 90% because of the coronavirus. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Lee Bloom, 39, of Los Angeles and his son Evan, 7 wear protective masks against the coronavirus during a visit to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Django, wearing a collar after a surgery, spent time looking for lizards while his “dad,” Jared Talla, relaxed on a grassy patch near the Silver Lake Recreation Center in Los Angeles. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Jesus Duenas of Riverside practices his slack lining while his brother Alfred Duenas, left, does strength exercises amongst the seclusion of palm trees in Fairmount Park during the coronavirus pandemic n Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
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A couple of characters from the LAX Aquarium and an employee at the Westin Los Angeles Airport watch a car caravan protest on Century Boulevard. The protesters were demanding healthcare coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times)
Steve Christopher, right, reads a book in the shade of the pier as a beach-goer does flips across the beach on the last day of open beaches in Orange County. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Booka Bickar, 59, makes noise with a plastic horn outside a friend’s apartment on Lucile Ave. in Silver Lake, drawing attention to thank essential workers and all the people on the front lines against the coronavirus. Every night for about 5 minutes, starting at 8pm sharp, he and other people on the block and the surrounding area make noise thanking workers. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Marc Milkin, 62, of Silver Lake, uses a ladle and vegetable steamer to make noise as his partner Laura Almo, 54, uses her hand against a pot cover to do the same, thanking essential workers. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
A woman walks past a storefront church on Vermont Avenue. L.A. area churches have been closed since late March to help prevent the spread of cornonavirus. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles Police Officer Nick Ferara, center, with Officer Dan Brown, right, gives Victoria Taboada a game for her 3-year-old daughter in San Pedro. (Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times)
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A soccer game at Albion Riverside Park in Lincoln Heights. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Shuttered storefronts and protective masks for sale in the Garment District in Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Kim Lockett, 61, who is homeless on skid row in downtown Los Angeles, talks with Jenna Kennedy, a clinician from the People Concern. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A motorist’s statement in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
UC Irvine Medical Center health care workers bang on the windows in a return of gratitude as they watch about 25 Orange County first responders parade by. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
A man walks past a gas station in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The Arts District in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A man relaxes next to caution tape at Griffith Observatory. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Lt. Col. Sam Sachs, a World War II veteran, celebrates his 105th birthday with well-wishers at an assisted living facility in Lakewood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
An empty 110 and 105 freeway interchange. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Downtown L.A. shines in the setting sun looking east from MacArthur Park. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Nurse anesthetist Nilu Patel quietly stands with fellow nurses at UC Irvine Medical Center for an hourlong candlelight vigil at their shift change. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Patton Soole, 5, left, shares a friendly race with L..A County Sheriff’s Deputy Bridget Adams at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
John and Jamie Garcia of La Habra toast to Jamie’s birthday with a scenic view from the Beachcomber Inn. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Twin sisters Britta, left, and Haley Cameron and their dog Kiki get some sun in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Heading to Capistrano Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Denise Martinez of Costa Mesa prays in front of the closed Huntington Beach Pier. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Russel and Kathleen Sion of Torrance, both 29, celebrate their marriage in Anaheim. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
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A mural on Melrose Avenue. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
An oil tanker off the coast of Long Beach. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Francisco Lorenzo prays in front of the closed doors of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A Starbucks employee in Covina writes inspiring messages on the store window during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A dinosaur seems to lurk over a jogger in Exposition Park in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Beachgoers enjoy the sun and sand along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Alvarado Street in the Westlake area of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Johnny Guerrero sells flowers at Novarose by Hilda, his parents’ shop on San Pedro Street in downtown L.A. Guerrero says while the other flower shops are closed, they stay open in hopes of more sales. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A blood drive at USC. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
The marquee of Landmark’s Nuart Theatre. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
A man stands on a balcony of an apartment building on Union Avenue in the Westlake area of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
People walk past a mural of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Westlake area of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Alisun Franson sells face masks from a stand in front of her business Amiga Wild in Venice. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Michelle Buben hands a sign to Peyton Buss celebrating his 8th birthday as fellow team members from his 2019 Conejo Valley Little League All-Star Baseball Team drive by his home in Thousand Oaks. “This is the best birthday party I’ve ever had!” Peyton said. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A restaurant worker completes a takeout order for a customer at a taco stand along Redondo Beach Boulevard in Hermosa Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Dusk settles on downtown Los Angeles and the snow-capped Mt. Baldy. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times.)
Truck traffic is light on the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
A man walks past a shuttered car wash along Manchester Avenue in South L.A., where the sign serves as a reminder for what to do during the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Ebay Williams, right, with the H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation, gives a youngster and her family groceries at a low income government building in the Oakwood neighborhood in Venice.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
L.A. band Sure Sure, whose tour was canceled due to coronavirus, are instead “touring” the different rooms of the home all four members live in, selling virtual tickets and livestreaming stripped-down concerts on successive nights. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
In a quiet cul-de-sac on Emerson Street, neighbors gather to sing “Amazing Grace” on Easter during the coronavirus pandemic on April 12, 2020 in Riverside, California. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
A customer makes his way out of the Coffee Bean on Hollywood Blvd at Orange Dr. with a take out order. A sign taped to the front door informs customers that they won’t be served unless they wear protective face covering before entering. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Ansar “Stan” Muhammad, center, executive director of H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation, delivers food through a fence to the needy in the Oaklwood Neighborhood of Venice on April 9, 2020. Members with H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation deliver food and groceries to the needy, those who have lost their jobs and seniors who are sheltering in place in the neighborhood due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
The shadow of a statue of Magic Johnson, left, and a statue of Kareem Abdul Jabbar are frozen in time at Staples Center, where the lights are off and events have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Rush hour on the 110 Freeway doesn’t look like it normally does, viewed from a bridge in Elysian Park on April 10. As the Southland enters the Easter holiday weekend, Los Angeles County health officials warned the region needs to increase social distancing to slow the coronavirus spread. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Aerial views of the Venice Beach skatepark where a handful of skaters defy the City’s closure order. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Pascacio DaVinci, 65, uses two campers as housing and storage for his artwork. He has been a street vendor in South L.A. for more than 20 years, and is fatalistic about the coronavirus pandemic. “If it’s my time to die, it’s my time to die,” he said. “Mask or no mask, it won’t matter.” (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Anthony Calderon, 22, of Echo Park, David Escalante, 19, of Koreatown, Yun Park, 21, of Koreatown, and Antoine Montero, 19, of Los Feliz, eat food from Guisados on the trunk of a car in the Elysian Park neighborhood April 10 in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Stephanie Reyes, 16, sells masks to a traveler on the 3000 block of West Century Boulevard in Inglewood. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Wanda DeSelle, 76, died of COVID-19 on April 3 in Madera, Calif., where she worked in a medical office. Her family and friends had to attend her funeral from a distance.
(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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Hippie Kitchen in Los Angeles hands out food, water and toiletries to homeless people and residents of skid row. Masks were also offered to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Groceries donated by Sadie Chen, left, receive a blessing at the Dhammakaya Temple-Peace Point Meditation Center in Azusa on Wednesday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A patient is moved from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside County, which has seen dozens of COVID-19 infections. Many staff members failed to show up for work two days in a row. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles police stop people from using the skate park at Venice Beach. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Alexander Martinez watches the sunset from the 1st Street bridge in downtown Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
A mural on Broadway in South Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Billy Gross and girlfriend Kristina Sorensen check out a new mural with a timely suggestion on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Tien Vu and Dan Mancini, both 30, take part in a demonstration in Boyle Heights on Wednesday calling for rent forgiveness for the month of April because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Justice Allah cleans up at Harun Coffee on Degnan Boulevard in South Los Angeles. Harun Coffee has paused food and coffee sales and is selling cloth masks lined with coffee filters. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Passengers wear masks on a Metro train in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Aspiring break dancer Bobby Estrada practices along Los Angeles Street in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Robert Hennie, 51, an independent filmmaker, sets up a makeshift gym in the closed-off children’s playground at De Portola Park in Torrance on Thursday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
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A man dressed as Superman advertises face masks along Washington Boulevard in Marina del Rey on Saturday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Signs of encouragement and praise for healthcare workers battling the coronavirus dot the route to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center in Thousand Oaks on March 31. Trevor Quirk, a Ventura attorney who had run for office, made them with leftover campaign signs and the “help of a few good friends.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Grace Carter, 15, of Riverside practices a dance routine at home after her dance classes and school were canceled. She had to use the Zoom app on her iPhone to practice with her dance group. “It’s hard. My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio,” Carter said. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Young friends play a spirited game of basketball in Azusa despite posted warnings about the coronavirus. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A man in a Metro tunnel in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Pedro Bermudez offers cleaning supplies and toilet paper for sale in Boyle Heights. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
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Sebastian Bachman, with his dog, Chuck Norris, passes time March 25 by playing ukulele in Claremont’s Larkin Park. Bachman, on spring break from school in Portland, Ore., is stuck at home here because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Margaret Jones, center, waves from her room at an assisted living facility in Redondo Beach as she celebrates her 91st birthday.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
The Stowe family in Riverside dresses in role-reversal prom attire after a nephew’s prom was canceled because of the coronavirus. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Nilou Zonozi walks her French bulldogs, Ruby, left, and Hansel at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A child plays in the Golden Hills neighborhood of Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Dylan Orland, 14, fields ground balls hit by his dad, Michael, at Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Recreation Park in Sherman Oaks.
(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
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Gary St. Germain plays guitar at dusk in front of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Hollywood. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Father Joe O’Neill livestreams Palm Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena. While the church remains closed, O’Neill says it has more than 10,000 visitors online. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A healthcare worker tends to a patient at a drive-through coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A nearly empty street in downtown Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Dusk falls in a deserted downtown Los Angeles. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Gary Lindley, 68, who is homeless, lies on a cot at a Long Beach shelter. “I’d like to get back on my feet, to get off these streets for good,” Lindley said. The shelter opened Thursday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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Beaches were ordered closed in Long Beach to prevent people from breaking social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Juliann Hartman, center, and her husband, Butch, do their part to cheer people up during the pandemic by holding signs of encouragement on Calabasas Road in Calabasas. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A Metro general service employee disinfects high-touch areas such as handrails, elevator call buttons and ticket vending machines at the Mariachi Plaza station in Boyle Heights. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A woman named Sarah, who said tigers are her favorite, let out a growl while waiting for a bus on Hawthorne Boulevard in Lawndale. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Traffic is light at the interchange of the 101 and 10 Freeways in downtown Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Osiel Ramirez plays violin at MacArthur Park in Westlake. A warehouse worker, Ramirez was furloughed from his job because of a business slowdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Time)
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Mike Lynn takes advantage of the empty playground at Longfellow Elementary School in Long Beach on March 25. Like public schools, his gym has been closed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
An Angeleno sells flowers on a 105 Freeway offramp in Inglewood on Monday. Many residents have no choice but to make close contact with the public to get by financially during the coronavirus outbreak. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
A bicyclist rides past a mural by street artist Robert Vargas in downtown Los Angeles on March 30. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Crystal Armster, left, dances with Athena Hayley, CEO and founder of Love My Neighbor Foundation, on March 26. The group continues to feed homeless people on skid row during the coronavirus pandemic. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-04-03--27 people at Bay Area nursing home positive for coronavirus: 'We are very very concerned'

Twenty-seven people at a skilled nursing facility in the East Bay city of Orinda have tested positive for coronavirus , in the latest sign of the dangers such facilities face .
Contra Costa County health officials said the facility , the 47-bed Orinda Care Center , notified public health officials on Tuesday that two residents were sent to the hospital with symptoms .
Of those who tested positive , 24 are residents and three are staff member .
The county has tested all the residents and is testing all staff .
Most of the residents are older than 65 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fourteen people at the facility tested negative , and results for others are still pending .
“ We are very very concerned , ” said Dr. Chris Farnitano , the county ’ s health officer .
“ This is a virus without a vaccine .
This is a virus without a medical treatment.
” He said the the residents who have tested negative have been separated from those who are infected , and the staff also has separated .
Staff who have tested positive have been told to isolate at home , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may , with protective gear , continue to serve the residents who are also positive .
Orinda is an upscale community bordering the Oakland-Berkeley hills .
Franitano said the virus is now in every community in the county .
Nursing homes have been the focus of major concern as the virus spreads , with outbreaks at facilities across the state .
Hospitals are desperately trying to discharge patients to clear space for an expected wave of people infected with COVID-19 .
But nursing homes are reluctant to accept any new patients — or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proved that they are virus-free .
On Monday , the California Department of Public Health sided squarely with the hospitals , ordering skilled nursing facilities to accept residents even if they have tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
After an outcry from elder advocates , one of whom called the directive “ nothing less than a death sentence ” for nursing home residents , state officials issued new guidance late Wednesday .
“ The final determination lies with the local health department , ” the state Department of Public Health said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Local public health officers have this authority in an emergency.
” Elder advocates , who say most nursing homes lack the equipment and training to properly quarantine patients with the virus , are not satisfied .
Many want the state to set up entirely separate living spaces — such as empty hotels , dormitories or cruise ships — for nursing home residents with the virus .
“ The state ’ s constantly shifting positions are confusing and will lead to bad outcomes , ” said Michael Connors , a spokesman for California Advocates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance are facilities expected to pay attention to ?
” The confusing signals come as the number of suspected coronavirus infections at communal living institutions , including nursing homes , is skyrocketing .
On Thursday , Los Angeles County officials announced the health department was investigating potential outbreaks at 54 institutions , dozens more than the day before .
Eleven of the 78 people who have died of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County have been nursing home residents , officials said .

Twenty-seven people at a skilled nursing facility in the East Bay city of Orinda have tested positive for coronavirus, in the latest sign of the dangers such facilities face.
Contra Costa County health officials said the facility, the 47-bed Orinda Care Center, notified public health officials on Tuesday that two residents were sent to the hospital with symptoms.
Of those who tested positive, 24 are residents and three are staff member. The county has tested all the residents and is testing all staff. Most of the residents are older than 65 and about half are older than 80. Fourteen people at the facility tested negative, and results for others are still pending.
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“We are very very concerned,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, the county’s health officer. “This is a virus without a vaccine. This is a virus without a medical treatment.”
He said the the residents who have tested negative have been separated from those who are infected, and the staff also has separated. Staff who have tested positive have been told to isolate at home, but if they have no symptoms, they may, with protective gear, continue to serve the residents who are also positive.
Orinda is an upscale community bordering the Oakland-Berkeley hills. Farnitano said the virus is now in every community in the county.
Nursing homes have been the focus of major concern as the virus spreads, with outbreaks at facilities across the state.
Hospitals are desperately trying to discharge patients to clear space for an expected wave of people infected with COVID-19. But nursing homes are reluctant to accept any new patients — or even returning residents — until it is proved that they are virus-free.
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On Monday, the California Department of Public Health sided squarely with the hospitals, ordering skilled nursing facilities to accept residents even if they have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. After an outcry from elder advocates, one of whom called the directive “nothing less than a death sentence” for nursing home residents, state officials issued new guidance late Wednesday.
“The final determination lies with the local health department,” the state Department of Public Health said in an email to The Times. “Local public health officers have this authority in an emergency.”
Elder advocates, who say most nursing homes lack the equipment and training to properly quarantine patients with the virus, are not satisfied. Many want the state to set up entirely separate living spaces — such as empty hotels, dormitories or cruise ships — for nursing home residents with the virus.
“The state’s constantly shifting positions are confusing and will lead to bad outcomes,” said Michael Connors, a spokesman for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. “Which guidance are facilities expected to pay attention to?”
The confusing signals come as the number of suspected coronavirus infections at communal living institutions, including nursing homes, is skyrocketing. On Thursday, Los Angeles County officials announced the health department was investigating potential outbreaks at 54 institutions, dozens more than the day before.
Eleven of the 78 people who have died of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County have been nursing home residents, officials said.


latimes--2020-04-03--Here is the latest list of Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

The number of coronavirus infections in Orange County hit a new peak of 711 on Friday , with Irvine , Newport Beach and Anaheim among the hardest hit with each reporting more than five dozen cases , officials said .
The county ’ s death toll remained unchanged at 13 .
Countywide , 103 people are currently hospitalized , 44 of them in intensive care , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
To date , 8,727 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in the county .
With the number of cases rising by the day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should consider covering their faces when they have to go outside .
“ Leave the N95 and surgical masks for our brave healthcare workers and first responders , ” the county Emergency Operations Center wrote on Facebook .
“ Make your own face covering out of scarfs , bandannas , T-shirts , sweatshirts or towels or anything made of cotton , silk or linen — so long as it covers your nose and mouth.
” Note : The “ other ” category includes unincorporated areas and cities that have fewer than 25,000 residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information .

A man wears a face mask while biking on the mostly empty boardwalk in Huntington Beach on Thursday. The pier, beach parking lots and most shops are closed because of state-mandated social distancing rules to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
The number of coronavirus infections in Orange County hit a new peak of 711 on Friday, with Irvine, Newport Beach and Anaheim among the hardest hit with each reporting more than five dozen cases, officials said.
The county’s death toll remained unchanged at 13. Countywide, 103 people are currently hospitalized, 44 of them in intensive care, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
To date, 8,727 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in the county.
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With the number of cases rising by the day, county health officials are now saying residents should consider covering their faces when they have to go outside.
“Leave the N95 and surgical masks for our brave healthcare workers and first responders,” the county Emergency Operations Center wrote on Facebook. “Make your own face covering out of scarfs, bandannas, T-shirts, sweatshirts or towels or anything made of cotton, silk or linen — so long as it covers your nose and mouth.”
California Coronavirus updates: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hospitalized The latest updates from our reporters in California and around the world
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 3
18-24 — 68
25-34 — 107
35-44 — 112
45-64 — 293
65+ — 128
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 1
45-64 — 3
65+ — 7
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 8
Anaheim — 63
Brea — 4
Buena Park — 22
Costa Mesa — 14
Cypress — 18
Dana Point — 11
Fountain Valley — 8
Fullerton — 15
Garden Grove — 18
Huntington Beach — 48
Irvine — 69
La Habra — 8
La Palma — 6
Ladera Ranch — 6
Laguna Beach — 29
Laguna Hills — 5
Laguna Niguel — 20
Lake Forest — 15
Mission Viejo — 18
Newport Beach — 67
Orange — 21
Placentia — 13
Rancho Santa Margarita — 6
San Clemente — 35
San Juan Capistrano — 16
Santa Ana — 43
Seal Beach — 2
Stanton — 1
Tustin — 13
Westminster — 7
Yorba Linda — 22
Other — 20
Unknown — 40
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas and cities that have fewer than 25,000 residents and fewer than five cases. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.