latimes--2020-07-09--Record day of coronavirus deaths in California raises new alarms

Conditions continued to deteriorate in many parts of California on Wednesday with a surge of new coronavirus cases as well as a troubling rise in COVID-19 deaths .
The state recorded its highest single-day coronavirus death toll Wednesday , with 149 fatalities reported , according to a Los Angeles Times county-by-county tally .
That eclipsed the previous highest daily death toll , 132 , recorded May 19 , according to The Times ’ California coronavirus tracker .
Los Angeles County recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll in at least a month , which may be the result of increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day as the economy reopened and people began going to social gatherings and dining out .
The county ’ s single-day death toll of 61 was the highest since June 2 , when 62 deaths were reported .
“ Our cases are rising .
The rate of infection is increasing .
And the number of hospitalizations are up .
And today , we ’ re even seeing a small increase in the number of deaths , ” Barbara Ferrer , the Los Angeles County director of public health , said Wednesday .
Ferrer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical juncture ” with people fed up with the stay-at-home order trying to return to a pre-pandemic way of life .
That has contributed to the increased spread of the disease in Southern California , she said .
“ We ’ re entering a phase in which we ’ re seeing community spread and hospitalizations like we saw in late April , and what we hoped would be the height of infection here in L.A. County , ” she said .
“ Tragically , we do expect that more of our loved ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming weeks with all of the increases we ’ re seeing with hospitalizations.
” Ferrer added : “ Even though we miss the way it used to be , it ’ s still not safe or smart to visit with friends or family we don ’ t live with.
” When the county began reopening businesses and protests erupted over the death of George Floyd , officials encouraged all residents to get tested for the virus , especially if they had been at a protest or other large gathering .
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been able to meet the high demand for testing .
Now , rather than encouraging widespread testing , health officials are asking individuals to get tested only if they have symptoms , work in high-risk environments or have come into contact with a person with a known exposure .
At the same time , officials are trying to add additional county-funded testing sites and increase appointments at existing sites to keep up with demand .
“ This is the type of testing that is critical for public health purposes to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmit the virus to others , ” said Dr. Christina Ghaly , L.A. County ’ s director of health services .
“ If you are exposed to someone with a known infection , then you need to quarantine yourself for 14 days .
This is irrespective of whether or not you got a test and even if the test is negative.
” Orange County , which has the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in the state and the fourth-most deaths , is also grappling with a surge in infections and hospitalizations in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate , which health officials use to gauge whether case numbers are increasing because of more testing or because there ’ s more disease spreading within the community , was under 8 % over a seven-day period in mid-May .
As of Tuesday , the county had a case rate of 222 per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 14.2 % , according to county health data .
The state has set a desired standard average of 25 positive cases per 100,000 over a 14-day period and a seven-day average positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak is worsening throughout the state , with 9,500 infections recorded Tuesday — the most new cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began — and triple-digit fatalities that sent the statewide death toll past 6,500 .
California cases are on pace to double every 24.8 days , a number that is used by experts to measure how quickly the virus is spreading .
Over the last week , there have been an average of 7,403 new coronavirus infections and 69.6 new deaths per day , according to data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases continuing to climb and hospitalization numbers increasing , counties across the state have been forced to roll back business reopenings to stem the spread of the virus .
On Wednesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom added Napa , Yolo and San Benito counties to the state ’ s watch list because of their rising case counts and increased hospitalizations .
If the counties remain on the list for three or more consecutive days , the state will require them to close bars and indoor dining in restaurants , along with other indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
There are now 26 of California ’ s 58 counties on the list .
While San Francisco has not appeared on the watch list , county and city officials this week opted to delay loosening restrictions on businesses , including indoor dining at restaurants , which were scheduled to resume next week .
The city previously had suspended the reopening of hair salons , zoos , museums and outdoor bars .
San Francisco County had 4,071 recorded cases of the coronavirus and 50 deaths as of Wednesday morning .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we can not risk letting the virus get out of control , ” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said .
“ We all need to do our part by wearing face coverings , keeping your distance from others , and getting tested so we can get to a place where we can safely resume reopening.
” Meanwhile , the California state Senate on Wednesday joined the Assembly in deciding not to return from its summer recess next week , citing the continued spread of the coronavirus , which has now infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No new return date was given in the notice sent to lawmakers Wednesday by Erika Contreras , the secretary of the Senate .

Hannah Fry, Colleen Shalby, Rong-Gong Lin II, Patrick McGreevy

Conditions continued to deteriorate in many parts of California on Wednesday with a surge of new coronavirus cases as well as a troubling rise in COVID-19 deaths.
The state recorded its highest single-day coronavirus death toll Wednesday, with 149 fatalities reported, according to a Los Angeles Times county-by-county tally. That eclipsed the previous highest daily death toll, 132, recorded May 19, according to The Times’ California coronavirus tracker.
Los Angeles County recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll in at least a month, which may be the result of increased disease transmission that probably began around Memorial Day as the economy reopened and people began going to social gatherings and dining out.
The county’s single-day death toll of 61 was the highest since June 2, when 62 deaths were reported.
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“Our cases are rising. The rate of infection is increasing. And the number of hospitalizations are up. And today, we’re even seeing a small increase in the number of deaths,” Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County director of public health, said Wednesday.
Ferrer said the county stands at a “critical juncture” with people fed up with the stay-at-home order trying to return to a pre-pandemic way of life. That has contributed to the increased spread of the disease in Southern California, she said.
“We’re entering a phase in which we’re seeing community spread and hospitalizations like we saw in late April, and what we hoped would be the height of infection here in L.A. County,” she said.
“Tragically, we do expect that more of our loved ones and neighbors may die of COVID-19 in the coming weeks with all of the increases we’re seeing with hospitalizations.”
Ferrer added: “Even though we miss the way it used to be, it’s still not safe or smart to visit with friends or family we don’t live with.”
Advertisement
When the county began reopening businesses and protests erupted over the death of George Floyd, officials encouraged all residents to get tested for the virus, especially if they had been at a protest or other large gathering. But in recent weeks, the county has not been able to meet the high demand for testing.
Now, rather than encouraging widespread testing, health officials are asking individuals to get tested only if they have symptoms, work in high-risk environments or have come into contact with a person with a known exposure. At the same time, officials are trying to add additional county-funded testing sites and increase appointments at existing sites to keep up with demand.
“This is the type of testing that is critical for public health purposes to be able to trace contacts and identify those who might transmit the virus to others,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, L.A. County’s director of health services. “If you are exposed to someone with a known infection, then you need to quarantine yourself for 14 days. This is irrespective of whether or not you got a test and even if the test is negative.”
Orange County, which has the third-highest number of coronavirus cases in the state and the fourth-most deaths, is also grappling with a surge in infections and hospitalizations in recent weeks.
The county’s positivity rate, which health officials use to gauge whether case numbers are increasing because of more testing or because there’s more disease spreading within the community, was under 8% over a seven-day period in mid-May. As of Tuesday, the county had a case rate of 222 per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 14.2%, according to county health data.
The state has set a desired standard average of 25 positive cases per 100,000 over a 14-day period and a seven-day average positive test rate of 8%.
The coronavirus outbreak is worsening throughout the state, with 9,500 infections recorded Tuesday — the most new cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began — and triple-digit fatalities that sent the statewide death toll past 6,500.
California cases are on pace to double every 24.8 days, a number that is used by experts to measure how quickly the virus is spreading.
Over the last week, there have been an average of 7,403 new coronavirus infections and 69.6 new deaths per day, according to data from The Times’ coronavirus tracker. With cases continuing to climb and hospitalization numbers increasing, counties across the state have been forced to roll back business reopenings to stem the spread of the virus.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom added Napa, Yolo and San Benito counties to the state’s watch list because of their rising case counts and increased hospitalizations. If the counties remain on the list for three or more consecutive days, the state will require them to close bars and indoor dining in restaurants, along with other indoor business operations, for at least three weeks. There are now 26 of California’s 58 counties on the list.
While San Francisco has not appeared on the watch list, county and city officials this week opted to delay loosening restrictions on businesses, including indoor dining at restaurants, which were scheduled to resume next week. The city previously had suspended the reopening of hair salons, zoos, museums and outdoor bars.
San Francisco County had 4,071 recorded cases of the coronavirus and 50 deaths as of Wednesday morning.
“We know the pause on reopening is disappointing, but we cannot risk letting the virus get out of control,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said. “We all need to do our part by wearing face coverings, keeping your distance from others, and getting tested so we can get to a place where we can safely resume reopening.”
Meanwhile, the California state Senate on Wednesday joined the Assembly in deciding not to return from its summer recess next week, citing the continued spread of the coronavirus, which has now infected several staffers and members in the Legislature.
No new return date was given in the notice sent to lawmakers Wednesday by Erika Contreras, the secretary of the Senate.
Times staff writer Ryan Murphy contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-09--City attorney accuses L.A. nursing home of dumping patients to profit from coronavirus

As the coronavirus continues its deadly march through Southern California nursing homes , the Lakeview Terrace skilled nursing facility in Los Angeles has been illegally “ dumping ” old and disabled residents onto the street and into homes that are not equipped to care for them , according to the city attorney .
Without notifying his family first , an 88-year old man with dementia was transferred from the Westlake nursing home to a boarding house in Van Nuys , only to be found wandering the streets profoundly confused a day later , according to a lawsuit filed in Superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Atty .
Mike Feuer .
Another resident with HIV who was dumped on the street instead of being provided the hospice care he needed wound up cowering in a friend ’ s backyard , hoping that would keep him safe from the pandemic , according to the complaint .
The “ sustained ” and “ intentional ” misconduct by Lakeview Terrace administrators comes at a time when nursing homes have an incentive to dump long-term residents , for whom they are paid little , to make room for COVID-19 patients , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feuer wrote in the lawsuit .
“ This creates an incentive for nursing homes to seek out residents with higher rates of reimbursement and ‘ churn ’ residents by any means possible , ” Feuer wrote .
The administrator of Lakeview Terrace , DJ Weaver , denied the allegations and wrote in an email to The Times that “ we intend to vigorously fight [ these ] allegations in court .
Due to patient privacy , we can not address specific cases.
” In May , The Times reported that nursing home experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government ’ s reimbursement method — which pays over four times more for COVID-19 patients than homes are able to charge for long-term residents with relatively mild health issues such as dementia — would lead to patient dumping by the industry ’ s unscrupulous actors .
Under Medicare ’ s new guidelines , which went into effect last fall , nursing homes are paid substantially more for new patients , especially in the first few weeks of their stay .
So COVID-19 patients , particularly those recently released from a hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day , according to nursing home administrators and medical directors interviewed by The Times .
By contrast , facilities collect as little as $ 200 per day for long-term patients with dementia , the industry experts said .
Lakeview Terrace , a 99-bed facility , has had at least 54 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff and at least eight deaths due to the disease , according to county health department records .
Yehuda Schmukler , who is listed as the primary owner of Lakeview Terrace by Medicare , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and declined to comment further .
Another listed owner , Elliot Zemel , could not be reached for comment .
Schmukler is affiliated with two other Los Angeles County homes , according to Medicare records , which also have severe COVID-19 outbreaks : Granada Post Acute in Lynwood has at least 71 confirmed cases and 15 deaths , according to the county health department , and South Pasadena Care Center has at least 115 confirmed cases and 23 deaths .
The city attorney also accused Lakeview Terrace of failing to provide hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications to patients and creating fake medical records to conceal the failure from regulators .
The home ’ s administrators also routinely covered-up cases of abuse , including an incident in which one resident attacked another with a “ makeshift nunchuck weapon , ” according to the complaint .
Such conduct would violate the settlement of a similar complaint filed last year by the city attorney against Lakeview Terrace , which was accused of patient dumping , failure to provide residents with necessary care , failure to protect their safety and failure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The home ’ s administrators agreed to pay $ 600,000 as part of that settlement , $ 150,000 of which would cover the cost of an independent monitor .
The home appeared to cooperate at first , Feuer said in an interview , but after COVID-19 arrived all outside visitors were barred from the building , including the monitor .
That ’ s when the situation deteriorated rapidly , Feuer said .
Now , the city is seeking financial penalties of more than $ 1 million and the appointment of a special master @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lakeview Terrace , which has the lowest possible quality rating from Medicare , has a troubled history .
In November 2016 , Lavell Murphy , a resident , died due to alleged “ lack of care , abuse , willful neglect , ” according to a lawsuit filed the next year .
Murphy was a paraplegic who had been in the facility since August .
He developed bedsores that became infected and filled with maggots , leading to sepsis and death , according to the lawsuit , which was ultimately settled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss the terms of the settlement because it was confidential .
“ As for the complaint , the allegations speak for themselves , ” Ellen Serbin said in an email .
“ In any event , the public record is replete with stories about Lakeview Terrace.
” In 2018 , Marcie Rivers , a patient at the facility , suffered bruises and a deep cut to her head after a fall , according to a lawsuit filed that year accusing the home of negligent supervision .
As a result of the fall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to court documents .
“ She was very lucky she didn ’ t crack her skull , ” said Ben Yeroushalmi , who represented Rivers .
“ The fact that the injuries were not much higher was a miracle.
” “ It ’ s just notorious for being a very bad facility and a serial violator of all kinds of regulations , ” Yeroushalmi said .
“ You would think they ’ d get their act together and just improve .
It ’ s just a matter of money.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Daryl Kennedy , nephew of the 88-year old Lakeview Terrace resident with dementia , said he visited the home regularly and was appalled by the neglect his uncle and the other residents suffered at the home .
“ They treat them bad , man , pissing all over themselves , not changing their diapers , leaving them in their beds all wet , ” Kennedy said .
His uncle , R.C .
Kendrick , whose dementia drove him to wander the streets in a daze , sustained serious injuries after being hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Lakeview Terrace following his discharge from the hospital because he needed more supervision than Kennedy could provide at home .
Kendrick was still wearing a cast on his leg and a neck brace when Lakeview Terrace administrators “ transferred him in the middle of the night without my knowledge , ” Kennedy said .
He only found out about the transfer when the police called the next day .
Kendrick had wandered away from the boarding house he ’ d been transferred to and then fell trying to get off a bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to help him , Kendrick attacked , thinking he was being robbed , Kennedy said .
With nowhere else to go , Kennedy said he brought his uncle home with him .
But not long afterward , Kendrick attacked his nephew with a knife , causing injuries that required dozens of stitches and landing Kendrick in jail .
Wherever he winds up , Kennedy said , he hopes it ’ s somewhere secure .
“ He walks away from everywhere he goes , and he can ’ t take care of himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep telling people , he has dementia .
”

L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer filed a lawsuit this week accusing Lakeview Terrace nursing home in Westlake of dumping patients and other wrongdoing.
As the coronavirus continues its deadly march through Southern California nursing homes, the Lakeview Terrace skilled nursing facility in Los Angeles has been illegally “dumping” old and disabled residents onto the street and into homes that are not equipped to care for them, according to the city attorney.
Without notifying his family first, an 88-year old man with dementia was transferred from the Westlake nursing home to a boarding house in Van Nuys, only to be found wandering the streets profoundly confused a day later, according to a lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Los Angeles this week by City Atty. Mike Feuer.
Another resident with HIV who was dumped on the street instead of being provided the hospice care he needed wound up cowering in a friend’s backyard, hoping that would keep him safe from the pandemic, according to the complaint.
The “sustained” and “intentional” misconduct by Lakeview Terrace administrators comes at a time when nursing homes have an incentive to dump long-term residents, for whom they are paid little, to make room for COVID-19 patients, for whom they are paid much more, Feuer wrote in the lawsuit.
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“This creates an incentive for nursing homes to seek out residents with higher rates of reimbursement and ‘churn’ residents by any means possible,” Feuer wrote.
The administrator of Lakeview Terrace, DJ Weaver, denied the allegations and wrote in an email to The Times that “we intend to vigorously fight [these] allegations in court. Due to patient privacy, we cannot address specific cases.”
California With demand soaring, L.A. County narrows priority for who should get coronavirus tests Priority will now be given to those showing symptoms, who work in a high-risk environment or who have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus.
In May, The Times reported that nursing home experts had been warning for months that the federal government’s reimbursement method — which pays over four times more for COVID-19 patients than homes are able to charge for long-term residents with relatively mild health issues such as dementia — would lead to patient dumping by the industry’s unscrupulous actors.
Under Medicare’s new guidelines, which went into effect last fall, nursing homes are paid substantially more for new patients, especially in the first few weeks of their stay. So COVID-19 patients, particularly those recently released from a hospital, can bring in more than $800 per day, according to nursing home administrators and medical directors interviewed by The Times.
By contrast, facilities collect as little as $200 per day for long-term patients with dementia, the industry experts said.
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Lakeview Terrace, a 99-bed facility, has had at least 54 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff and at least eight deaths due to the disease, according to county health department records.
Yehuda Schmukler, who is listed as the primary owner of Lakeview Terrace by Medicare, said he is no longer affiliated with the home and declined to comment further. Another listed owner, Elliot Zemel, could not be reached for comment.
Schmukler is affiliated with two other Los Angeles County homes, according to Medicare records, which also have severe COVID-19 outbreaks: Granada Post Acute in Lynwood has at least 71 confirmed cases and 15 deaths, according to the county health department, and South Pasadena Care Center has at least 115 confirmed cases and 23 deaths.
The city attorney also accused Lakeview Terrace of failing to provide hundreds of doses of vital HIV and respiratory medications to patients and creating fake medical records to conceal the failure from regulators.
The home’s administrators also routinely covered-up cases of abuse, including an incident in which one resident attacked another with a “makeshift nunchuck weapon,” according to the complaint.
Such conduct would violate the settlement of a similar complaint filed last year by the city attorney against Lakeview Terrace, which was accused of patient dumping, failure to provide residents with necessary care, failure to protect their safety and failure to maintain accurate and complete medical records.
The home’s administrators agreed to pay $600,000 as part of that settlement, $150,000 of which would cover the cost of an independent monitor. The home appeared to cooperate at first, Feuer said in an interview, but after COVID-19 arrived all outside visitors were barred from the building, including the monitor. That’s when the situation deteriorated rapidly, Feuer said.
Now, the city is seeking financial penalties of more than $1 million and the appointment of a special master to oversee the home, Feuer said.
Lakeview Terrace, which has the lowest possible quality rating from Medicare, has a troubled history.
In November 2016, Lavell Murphy, a resident, died due to alleged “lack of care, abuse, willful neglect,” according to a lawsuit filed the next year.
Murphy was a paraplegic who had been in the facility since August. He developed bedsores that became infected and filled with maggots, leading to sepsis and death, according to the lawsuit, which was ultimately settled.
His daughter’s attorney declined to discuss the terms of the settlement because it was confidential.
“As for the complaint, the allegations speak for themselves,” Ellen Serbin said in an email. “In any event, the public record is replete with stories about Lakeview Terrace.”
In 2018, Marcie Rivers, a patient at the facility, suffered bruises and a deep cut to her head after a fall, according to a lawsuit filed that year accusing the home of negligent supervision.
As a result of the fall, Rivers needed several stitches and wound care, according to court documents.
“She was very lucky she didn’t crack her skull,” said Ben Yeroushalmi, who represented Rivers. “The fact that the injuries were not much higher was a miracle.”
The case ultimately settled.
“It’s just notorious for being a very bad facility and a serial violator of all kinds of regulations,” Yeroushalmi said. “You would think they’d get their act together and just improve. It’s just a matter of money.”
In both lawsuits, the home denied wrongdoing.
Daryl Kennedy, nephew of the 88-year old Lakeview Terrace resident with dementia, said he visited the home regularly and was appalled by the neglect his uncle and the other residents suffered at the home. “They treat them bad, man, pissing all over themselves, not changing their diapers, leaving them in their beds all wet,” Kennedy said.
Daryl Kennedy, 57, holds a photo of his uncle, R.C. Kendrick. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
His uncle, R.C. Kendrick, whose dementia drove him to wander the streets in a daze, sustained serious injuries after being hit by a car. He wound up at Lakeview Terrace following his discharge from the hospital because he needed more supervision than Kennedy could provide at home.
Kendrick was still wearing a cast on his leg and a neck brace when Lakeview Terrace administrators “transferred him in the middle of the night without my knowledge,” Kennedy said. He only found out about the transfer when the police called the next day.
Kendrick had wandered away from the boarding house he’d been transferred to and then fell trying to get off a bus, Kennedy said. When a stranger tried to help him, Kendrick attacked, thinking he was being robbed, Kennedy said.
With nowhere else to go, Kennedy said he brought his uncle home with him. But not long afterward, Kendrick attacked his nephew with a knife, causing injuries that required dozens of stitches and landing Kendrick in jail.
Wherever he winds up, Kennedy said, he hopes it’s somewhere secure.
“He walks away from everywhere he goes, and he can’t take care of himself,” Kennedy said. “I keep telling people, he has dementia.”


latimes--2020-07-09--California records highest single-day coronavirus toll: 149 deaths

California recorded its highest single-day COVID-19 death toll Wednesday , with 149 fatalities reported , according to a Los Angeles Times county-by-county tally .
The previous high was recorded on May 19 , according to The Times ’ California coronavirus tracker , when 132 deaths were tallied .
For weeks , daily coronavirus deaths had remained steady even as the number of newly confirmed cases and hospitalizations have risen .
It ’ s a trend experts believe occurred as California ’ s reopening accelerated in late May and people returned to pre-pandemic routines around Memorial Day , with some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to social gatherings .
But experts have feared that the daily death toll would start to climb eventually , catching up with the spikes in cases and hospitalizations .
It can take three to four weeks after exposure to the virus for infected people to become sick enough to be hospitalized , and four to five weeks after exposure for people to die from the disease .
Monday marked the sixth Monday after Memorial Day .
Los Angeles County on Wednesday recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll in a month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health reported 60 new coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday , and Long Beach — which has its own health office — reported one new death .
The combined total of 61 cases is the highest single-day death toll since June 2 , when 62 deaths were reported across L.A. County , according to The Times ’ California coronavirus tracker .
“ Our cases are rising .
The rate of infection is increasing .
And the number of hospitalizations are up .
And today , we ’ re even seeing a small increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferrer , the Los Angeles County director of public health , said Wednesday .
“ Tragically , we do expect that more of our loved ones and our neighbors may die of COVID-19 in the coming weeks with all of the increases we ’ re seeing in hospitalizations .
“ We are seeing a sharp increase in community transmission , ” Ferrer added , pointing out that L.A. County is recording on average 2,400 new coronavirus cases a day ; at this time in June , the county was tallying about 1,300 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,037 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections in L.A. County , a 38 % increase from the Tuesday after Memorial Day , when 1,477 coronavirus-infected people were hospitalized .
It was the third consecutive day the county has posted a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations since the pandemic hit California .
Statewide , the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations continued to march upward .
Tuesday marked California ’ s 18th consecutive day of breaking the record for the number of hospitalized people with confirmed coronavirus infections .
On Tuesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed coronavirus infections , a 114 % increase from the number six weeks earlier , on May 26 , when 2,847 people were hospitalized .
The number of people in California ’ s intensive care units has also soared .
On Tuesday , there were 1,753 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in California ’ s intensive care units , a 71 % increase compared with the number six weeks earlier , on May 26 , when 1,026 coronavirus-infected patients were in the ICU .
In both Los Angeles County and across the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are coming back positive — an indication that virus transmission is worsening .
The so-called positivity rate in L.A. County has more than doubled since late May .
The seven-day average of the daily rate climbed to 10.4 % , officials said Wednesday ; in late May , that rate fell to a low of 4.6 % .
Across California , the rate at which coronavirus tests have come back positive has jumped 67 % in the last three weeks .
A Los Angeles Times analysis of test results Wednesday showed the statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 7.7 % ; three weeks earlier , the rate was just 4.6 % .
Lin reported from San Francisco , Murphy from Culver City and Greene from Thousand Oaks .

Rong-Gong Lin II, Ryan Murphy, Sean Greene

Coronavirus testing continues Wednesday at Dodger Stadium as drivers with an appointment wait in line.
California recorded its highest single-day COVID-19 death toll Wednesday, with 149 fatalities reported, according to a Los Angeles Times county-by-county tally.
The previous high was recorded on May 19, according to The Times’ California coronavirus tracker, when 132 deaths were tallied.
For weeks, daily coronavirus deaths had remained steady even as the number of newly confirmed cases and hospitalizations have risen. It’s a trend experts believe occurred as California’s reopening accelerated in late May and people returned to pre-pandemic routines around Memorial Day, with some people not wearing masks in public and people returning to social gatherings.
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But experts have feared that the daily death toll would start to climb eventually, catching up with the spikes in cases and hospitalizations. It can take three to four weeks after exposure to the virus for infected people to become sick enough to be hospitalized, and four to five weeks after exposure for people to die from the disease. Monday marked the sixth Monday after Memorial Day.
Los Angeles County on Wednesday recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll in a month. Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 60 new coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday, and Long Beach — which has its own health office — reported one new death.
The combined total of 61 fatalities is the highest single-day death toll since June 2, when 62 deaths were reported across L.A. County, according to The Times’ California coronavirus tracker.
“Our cases are rising. The rate of infection is increasing. And the number of hospitalizations are up. And today, we’re even seeing a small increase in the number of deaths,” Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County director of public health, said Wednesday.
“Tragically, we do expect that more of our loved ones and our neighbors may die of COVID-19 in the coming weeks with all of the increases we’re seeing in hospitalizations.
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“We are seeing a sharp increase in community transmission,” Ferrer added, pointing out that L.A. County is recording on average 2,400 new coronavirus cases a day; at this time in June, the county was tallying about 1,300 cases daily.
On Tuesday, there were 2,037 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections in L.A. County, a 38% increase from the Tuesday after Memorial Day, when 1,477 coronavirus-infected people were hospitalized. It was the third consecutive day the county has posted a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations since the pandemic hit California.
Statewide, the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations continued to march upward. Tuesday marked California’s 18th consecutive day of breaking the record for the number of hospitalized people with confirmed coronavirus infections.
Tracking the coronavirus in L.A. County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said there were 6,100 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections, a 114% increase from the number six weeks earlier, on May 26, when 2,847 people were hospitalized. The number of people in California’s intensive care units has also soared.
On Tuesday, there were 1,753 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in California’s intensive care units, a 71% increase compared with the number six weeks earlier, on May 26, when 1,026 coronavirus-infected patients were in the ICU. In both Los Angeles County and across the state, higher percentages of coronavirus test results are coming back positive — an indication that virus transmission is worsening.
Which California counties are reopening? To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.
The so-called positivity rate in L.A. County has more than doubled since late May. The seven-day average of the daily rate climbed to 10.4%, officials said Wednesday; in late May, that rate fell to a low of 4.6%.
Across California, the rate at which coronavirus tests have come back positive has jumped 67% in the last three weeks.
A Los Angeles Times analysis of test results Wednesday showed the statewide positivity rate over the last seven days was 7.7%; three weeks earlier, the rate was just 4.6%.
Lin reported from San Francisco, Murphy from Culver City and Greene from Thousand Oaks.


latimes--2020-07-09--S.F. mayor is awaiting coronavirus test result after she was exposed at event

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said she is waiting for COVID-19 test results after being exposed to the virus at a recent event .
Breed said in a tweet that she was informed Wednesday that she had attended the event with the individual who knew they were COVID-19 positive .
She was tested the same day .
“ I know people want to be out in public right now , but this disease is killing people , ” she said in one of her tweets .
“ It ’ s simply reckless for those who have tested positive go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breed said she is taking recommended precautions , including “ limiting any public events for the next 10 days ” and practicing social distancing .
The mayor pleaded with the public to wear masks and get tested if they think they ’ ve been exposed .
“ If a member of our contact tracing team reaches out to talk to you after you ’ ve been diagnosed or to discuss a possible exposure , listen to them , follow their guidance and ask them for any support you need , ” she said @

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said she is waiting for COVID-19 test results after being exposed to the virus at a recent event.
Breed said in a tweet that she was informed Wednesday that she had attended the event with the individual who knew they were COVID-19 positive. She was tested the same day.
“I know people want to be out in public right now, but this disease is killing people,” she said in one of her tweets. “It’s simply reckless for those who have tested positive go out and risk the lives of others.”
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Breed said she is taking recommended precautions, including “limiting any public events for the next 10 days” and practicing social distancing.
The mayor pleaded with the public to wear masks and get tested if they think they’ve been exposed.
“If a member of our contact tracing team reaches out to talk to you after you’ve been diagnosed or to discuss a possible exposure, listen to them, follow their guidance and ask them for any support you need,” she said.


latimes--2020-07-08--'Glee' actress Naya Rivera is missing after renting a boat with 4-year-old son in Lake Piru

Officials are searching for actress Naya Rivera after her 4-year-old son was found alone on a boat she rented Wednesday afternoon , officials said .
Rivera rented the boat about 1 p.m. and had an afternoon of swimming with her son , who was the last to see her before she went missing , said Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Department Capt .
Eric Buschow .
Buschow said the boy got back onto the boat after a swim but his mother did not follow .
“ We ’ re going on the belief that she did go in the water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locate her .
So this may well be a case of drowning , ” Buschow told reporters .
The 4-year-old was found sleeping on the boat by himself by other boaters in the lake .
“ He ’ s in good health , ” Bushow said of Rivera ’ s son .
The boy was initially reported by authorities to be a 3-year-old girl .
“ The family is going through a very traumatic time right now.
” The search for the 33-year-old “ Glee ” actress is continuing and will draw more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Department will be joined by search and rescue teams from neighboring counties and will deploy divers and air units in the morning .
Officials were able to confirm her identity because they found her wallet and identification on the boat , Bushow said .
Rivera played Santana , a cheerleader in the musical-comedy “ Glee ” that aired on Fox from 2009 until 2015 .
Rivera appeared in 113 episodes of the series and dated co-star Mark Salling , who killed himself in 2018 after pleading guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Associated Press .

Officials are looking for actress Naya Rivera after she rented a boat with her 4-year-old son in Lake Piru.
Officials are searching for actress Naya Rivera after her 4-year-old son was found alone on a boat she rented Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Rivera rented the boat about 1 p.m. and had an afternoon of swimming with her son, who was the last to see her before she went missing, said Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Eric Buschow.
Buschow said the boy got back onto the boat after a swim but his mother did not follow. “We’re going on the belief that she did go in the water and we have not been able to locate her. So this may well be a case of drowning,” Buschow told reporters.
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The 4-year-old was found sleeping on the boat by himself by other boaters in the lake.
“He’s in good health,” Bushow said of Rivera’s son. The boy was initially reported by authorities to be a 3-year-old girl. “The family is going through a very traumatic time right now.”
The search for the 33-year-old “Glee” actress is continuing and will draw more resources Thursday morning.
Buschow said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will be joined by search and rescue teams from neighboring counties and will deploy divers and air units in the morning. Officials were able to confirm her identity because they found her wallet and identification on the boat, Bushow said.
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Rivera played Santana, a cheerleader in the musical-comedy “Glee” that aired on Fox from 2009 until 2015. Rivera appeared in 113 episodes of the series and dated co-star Mark Salling, who killed himself in 2018 after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.
Includes information from the Associated Press.


latimes--2020-07-08--Officials investigate after infant is found not breathing in vehicle in Fullerton

Detectives are investigating after a baby was found unresponsive Wednesday afternoon inside a vehicle in Fullerton .
About 3:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ to a call about a baby who was inside a car and not breathing in @ @ @ @ @ Wilshire Avenue , said Fullerton Police Sgt .
Eric Bridges .
When police arrived , @ @ @ @ @ less than 2 years old , had been moved to a residence in an apartment @ @ @ @ @ Police performed CPR on the child as they waited for paramedics , but the infant @ @ @ @ @ Family members , including the child ’ s parents , were at the scene , @ @ @ @ @ he could not confirm that the child died in the car due to hot weather @ @ @ @ @ case is “ a reminder ... we are in the summer months and want everyone @ @ @ @ @ of keeping an eye on our kids.
” “ This is a horrible tragedy , @ @ @ @

Detectives are investigating after an infant was found not breathing in a car in Fullerton on Wednesday.
Detectives are investigating after a baby was found unresponsive Wednesday afternoon inside a vehicle in Fullerton.
About 3:30 p.m., Fullerton police officers responded to a call about a baby who was inside a car and not breathing in the 400 block of West Wilshire Avenue, said Fullerton Police Sgt. Eric Bridges.
When police arrived, the child, who was less than 2 years old, had been moved to a residence in an apartment complex, Bridges said. Police performed CPR on the child as they waited for paramedics, but the infant died at the scene.
Family members, including the child’s parents, were at the scene, Bridges said.
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Bridges said he could not confirm that the child died in the car due to hot weather, but added that the case is “a reminder ... we are in the summer months and want everyone to be vigilant in terms of keeping an eye on our kids.”
“This is a horrible tragedy,” he said.


latimes--2020-07-08--A security guard kneeled on Sacramento man's neck for 4 minutes, leading to his death, lawsuit alleg

A security guard kneeled on Sacramento man's neck for 4 minutes, leading to his death, lawsuit alleges

The family of a man who died after a security guard allegedly kneeled on his neck for four minutes in Sacramento ’ s Golden 1 Center indoor arena has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the security guards and police officers involved .
The lawsuit , filed in a Sacramento court Tuesday by the man ’ s parents , Elizabeth Avila and Mark Matthews , alleges that three security guards and three Sacramento Police Department officers used “ maximum restraints ” on the “ non-threatening ” 125-pound man for a total of at least 20 minutes .
Mario Matthews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake up .
He died days later in the hospital , according to the lawsuit .
The city of Sacramento , security guard company Universal Protection Service and Sacramento Downtown Arena LLC were also included as defendants .
Attorneys Dale Galipo and Stewart Katz are seeking unspecified damages .
The lawsuit comes as the death of George Floyd , who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly 9 minutes , has sparked nationwide protests and scrutiny of police that have led to calls to defund police forces .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker and sports fan , is believed to have attended a concert featuring T-Pain outside the arena following a basketball showcase with players from the Sacramento Kings , Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers , according to the lawsuit .
About 3:30 p.m. the shirtless man walked into the center through a door that had been propped open by cleaning staff .
Matthews lay down on top of the Sacramento Kings logo in the middle of the court “ and then ran around the basketball court as if he were dribbling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit states .
Video footage of the incident released by the Sacramento Police Department shows security guards , who are listed as defendants Drake Quitugua and Chaz Hayes in the lawsuit , chasing Matthews into a hallway , pushing him against a wall and bringing him down to the floor .
Quitugua put his knee on Matthews ’ neck for four and a half minutes , the lawsuit alleges .
About 10 minutes after Matthews was restrained by the two security guards , Sacramento Police Officer Mason McCann arrived to help .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mario was in severe distress , including respiratory distress , ” the lawsuit states .
Two additional officers arrived with “ max restraints ” to bind Matthews legs together , at the request of McCann , according to the lawsuit .
The two officers took the place of the security guards on top of Matthews .
Within seconds of the restraints being placed on his body , Matthews became nonresponsive , according to the lawsuit .
“ Perhaps in denial of Mario ’ s now catatonic state , defendants McCann , Vidales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet , but he immediately flopped back to the ground .
At this point , it was clear to everyone present that Mario was incapable of getting up and in need of urgent resuscitation efforts , ” the lawsuit states .
Paramedics arrived and performed CPR on Matthews .
He was taken to Sutter General Hospital , still unconscious .
Video footage from what appears to be a body camera of one of the officers records him saying that Matthews was “ probably high ” and “ for whatever reason , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard can be heard saying , '' We took him down pretty hard.
” “ Based on what I am talking to the officers , no use of force on our part , ” one officer is recorded saying through a body camera .
“ He was already detained by security here when we showed up .
So it ’ s probably one of those excited delirium type deals .
“ Plan is to pull the video to see what I got , ” he continued .
“ I still need to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re in the clear so that we didn ’ t use any force or anything like that.
” Matthews died July 4 , 2019 .
Citing the Sacramento County coroner , the lawsuit states there was “ deep bruising of Mario ’ s back as a result of the weight and pressure that had been placed upon him.
” Tim Swanson , a spokesman for Sacramento ’ s city manager , said the city is reviewing the lawsuit and evaluating next steps .
The security firm that employed Quitugua and Hayes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to comply with orders to leave the stadium and “ appeared to threaten ” the guards .
“ They attempted to detain him pending the arrival of the police .
He continued to actively resist efforts to restrain him until he was taken into custody by Sacramento police , ” the statement said .
The firm declined to provide further comment , citing the ongoing lawsuit .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Mario Matthews died in July 2019 after being restrained by officers and security guards after he allegedly trespassed into the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The family of a man who died after a security guard allegedly kneeled on his neck for four minutes in Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center indoor arena has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the security guards and police officers involved.
The lawsuit, filed in a Sacramento court Tuesday by the man’s parents, Elizabeth Avila and Mark Matthews, alleges that three security guards and three Sacramento Police Department officers used “maximum restraints” on the “non-threatening” 125-pound man for a total of at least 20 minutes.
Mario Matthews, 39, lost consciousness and did not wake up. He died days later in the hospital, according to the lawsuit.
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The city of Sacramento, security guard company Universal Protection Service and Sacramento Downtown Arena LLC were also included as defendants. Attorneys Dale Galipo and Stewart Katz are seeking unspecified damages.
The lawsuit comes as the killing of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes, has sparked nationwide protests and scrutiny of law enforcement that have led to calls to defund police forces.
In this case, Matthews, a warehouse worker and sports fan, is believed to have attended a concert featuring T-Pain outside the arena following a basketball showcase with players from the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, according to the lawsuit.
About 3:30 p.m. the shirtless man walked into the center through a door that had been propped open by cleaning staff. Matthews lay down on top of the Sacramento Kings logo in the middle of the court “and then ran around the basketball court as if he were dribbling and shooting a basketball,” the lawsuit states.
Video footage of the incident released by the Sacramento Police Department shows security guards, listed in the lawsuit as defendants Drake Quitugua and Chaz Hayes, chasing Matthews into a hallway, pushing him against a wall and bringing him down to the floor.
Quitugua put his knee on Matthews’ neck for four and a half minutes, the lawsuit alleges. About 10 minutes after Matthews was restrained by the two security guards, Sacramento police Officer Mason McCann arrived to help.
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“By that time, it was apparent that Mario was in severe distress, including respiratory distress,” the lawsuit states.
Two additional officers arrived with “max restraints” to bind Matthews’ legs together, at the request of McCann, according to the lawsuit. The two officers took the place of the security guards on top of Matthews.
Within seconds of the restraints being placed on his body, Matthews became nonresponsive, according to the lawsuit.
“Perhaps in denial of Mario’s now catatonic state, defendants McCann, [Lorenzo] Vidales and [Terrance] Gordon attempted to pull Mario to his feet, but he immediately flopped back to the ground. At this point, it was clear to everyone present that Mario was incapable of getting up and in need of urgent resuscitation efforts,” the lawsuit states.
Paramedics arrived and performed CPR on Matthews. He was taken to Sutter General Hospital, still unconscious.
Video footage from what appears to be one of the officers’ body cameras records him saying that Matthews was “probably high” and “for whatever reason, he was acting a fool.”
A security guard can be heard saying, “We took him down pretty hard.”
“Based on what I am talking to the officers, no use of force on our part,” one officer is recorded saying through a body camera. “He was already detained by security here when we showed up. So it’s probably one of those excited delirium type deals.
“Plan is to pull the video to see what I got,” he continued. “I still need to watch the body cam videos to make sure we’re in the clear so that we didn’t use any force or anything like that.”
Matthews died July 4, 2019. Citing the Sacramento County coroner, the lawsuit states there was “deep bruising of Mario’s back as a result of the weight and pressure that had been placed upon him.”
Tim Swanson, a spokesman for Sacramento’s city manager, said the city is reviewing the lawsuit and considering its next steps.
The security firm that employed Quitugua and Hayes said in a statement that Matthews had refused to comply with orders to leave the stadium and “appeared to threaten” the guards.
“They attempted to detain him pending the arrival of the police. He continued to actively resist efforts to restrain him until he was taken into custody by Sacramento police,” the statement said.
The firm declined to provide further comment, citing the ongoing lawsuit.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-08--San Francisco wrestles with reopening schools as it offers guidelines on doing so safely

Without announcing whether public schools will reopen this fall , San Francisco officials provided guidance Wednesday on how they could reopen — noting different aged children pose different risks to each other and adults .
“ We ’ re sharing this preliminary guidance because we know schools need to plan ahead for safely resuming in-person attendance if and when the S.F .
health officer allows school to open , ” said Dr. C. Jeanne Lee , a pediatrician with the city ’ s health department .
“ The good news is that we have learned a tremendous amount in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it affects children and teens and about how it ’ s transmitted and what ’ s effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 , ” she said .
If schools reopen , decisions about how to best to protect students , faculty and staff — incorporating social distancing protocols , universal mask wearing , and incorporating stable student cohorts where needed — will be made independently by each school , Lee saide .
The guidelines were issued a day after Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told county superintendents they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning entirely from home .
Spikes in COVID-19 cases have been seen in both counties in recent days , and the state recorded 9,500 new infections on Tuesday — the most new cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began .
“ If COVID-19 spreads too rapidly in our city , ” she said , the guidelines issued today , “ may not be enough for them to open safely.
” But , she noted , she and other medical experts have learned a lot about the disease in the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used as schools begin preparing to re-open .
For instance , she said , “ the risk is very low for school-aged students , and also evidence indicates that children , especially those under the age of 10 , are less likely to be infected with COVID-19 and probably less likely to transmit it.
” Risk increases with age , however , “ so for high school students , they are probably closer to adults in that risk and middle school students are probably somewhere in between.
” she said .
Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not an option for young children , it would be effective for older students .
And she stressed universal mask wearing for everybody in a school — from students to staff and faculty .
She said city officials focused their guidelines on preventing the transmission of disease via respiratory droplets — hence , masks and physical distancing — rather than disinfection .
She said the virus can easily be killed by most cleaning products and frequent hand washing .
Lee said the health department recommends students stay within small , stable cohorts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no larger than a standard classroom .
In middle school and high school , she said , the cohorts could be larger , but schedules should be staggered to minimize interactions at arrivals , departures , in hallways and at meals .
She said adult-to-adult transmission brings the biggest risks .
Asked about extracurriculars , she said that generally speaking , outdoor activities carry lower risks than indoor activities , and that electives such as choir and wind instruments are not likely to be allowed .
She also said that interscholastic activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , President Trump threatened to withhold funding from school systems that fail to reopen in the fall .
That prompted Gov .
Gavin Newsom to respond Wednesday that the reopening of schools would be based on science , not pressure from the White House .

The Grand Princess cruise ship, site of an early coronavirus outbreak, sails under the Golden Gate Bridge in March. San Francisco is considering how it might reopen its schools to students in the fall.
Without announcing whether public schools will reopen this fall, San Francisco officials provided guidance Wednesday on how they could reopen — noting different aged children pose different risks to each other and adults.
“We’re sharing this preliminary guidance because we know schools need to plan ahead for safely resuming in-person attendance if and when the S.F. health officer allows school to open,” said Dr. C. Jeanne Lee, a pediatrician with the city’s health department.
“The good news is that we have learned a tremendous amount in the last few months about COVID-19, about how it affects children and teens and about how it’s transmitted and what’s effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19,” she said.
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If schools reopen, decisions about how to best to protect students, faculty and staff — incorporating social distancing protocols, universal mask wearing, and incorporating stable student cohorts where needed — will be made independently by each school, Lee saide.
The guidelines were issued a day after Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told county superintendents they needed to prepare for students to continue learning entirely from home.
Spikes in COVID-19 cases have been seen in both counties in recent days, and the state recorded 9,500 new infections on Tuesday — the most new cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began.
Lee cautioned schools may remain closed if conditions worsen.
“If COVID-19 spreads too rapidly in our city,” she said, the guidelines issued today, “may not be enough for them to open safely.”
But, she noted, she and other medical experts have learned a lot about the disease in the last few months, and those insights could be used as schools begin preparing to re-open.
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For instance, she said, “the risk is very low for school-aged students, and also evidence indicates that children, especially those under the age of 10, are less likely to be infected with COVID-19 and probably less likely to transmit it.”
Risk increases with age, however, “so for high school students, they are probably closer to adults in that risk and middle school students are probably somewhere in between.” she said.
Lee said that though social distancing is probably not an option for young children, it would be effective for older students.
And she stressed universal mask wearing for everybody in a school — from students to staff and faculty.
She said city officials focused their guidelines on preventing the transmission of disease via respiratory droplets — hence, masks and physical distancing — rather than disinfection.
She said the virus can easily be killed by most cleaning products and frequent hand washing.
Lee said the health department recommends students stay within small, stable cohorts. In elementary schools, those cohorts should be no larger than a standard classroom. In middle school and high school, she said, the cohorts could be larger, but schedules should be staggered to minimize interactions at arrivals, departures, in hallways and at meals.
She said adult-to-adult transmission brings the biggest risks.
Asked about extracurriculars, she said that generally speaking, outdoor activities carry lower risks than indoor activities, and that electives such as choir and wind instruments are not likely to be allowed. She also said that interscholastic activities would probably not be allowed.
On Wednesday, President Trump threatened to withhold funding from school systems that fail to reopen in the fall. That prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to respond Wednesday that the reopening of schools would be based on science, not pressure from the White House.


latimes--2020-07-08--COVID-19 has surged in Ventura County. Now, the ICUs and ERs are full

A coronavirus hospital surge plan is in place in Ventura County after emergency rooms and intensive care units filled up .
During a Wednesday media briefing , Ventura County Executive Officer Michael Powers said that when he asked hospital staffers whether their facilities were filling up , they said they were already full .
“ That just says that even in a county like Ventura County , where we ’ ve been doing so well with keeping our numbers low , some of the lowest numbers in the state , even here this can happen .
We could see this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise in hospital cases .
I think this is a good wake-up call for us , ” Powers said .
There are 79 people hospitalized for acute COVID-19 care in the county , Ventura County Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas said .
In early June , that number sat in the mid-20s , he said .
Thirty-one people are in intensive care units .
“ We ’ re extremely full right now , ” said John Fankhauser , chief executive of Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are seeing patients in that surge space.
” The hospitals are considering restricting non-urgent surgeries to create more space for COVID-19 patients , he added .
“ It ’ s important that you feel comfortable coming to the hospital , but we need our community to partner with us now , ” Fankhauser said .
“ There is a limit to how much we can surge .
We can ’ t continue on the path we are on right now with regard to social gatherings ; with regard to close quarters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ability to wash your hands .
We have to take those things seriously .
We know how to control this disease .
Dr. Tara Paterson , director of the medical center ’ s intensive care unit , said the surge plan took five months to prepare .
Now , with the ER and ICU full , that plan is in use , she said .
“ These COVID-positive patients that we are seeing in the ICU are extremely sick .
Those patients who require mechanical ventilation often have prolonged ICU stays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them do not survive their hospital stay .
So please , please wear a mask , social-distance , do your part , because this could become a family member of yours .
It could be your grandmother , your grandfather , your sister , your wife , ” Paterson said .
County Supervisor Linda Parks agreed that residents have the power to address the overflow .
“ It ’ s up to you to stop our hospitals from ending up at capacity or over capacity , ” she said Powers echoed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s a vaccine , the main thing we need is to have the testing capacity , the tracing and the support for voluntary quarantining , ” he said .
Powers said the county is using only one-third of its tracing capacity and will continue to track community spread .
Vargas said the county received 125 new positive COVID-19 tests Wednesday , bringing the total to 3,983 positive tests .
He also reported a new death , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 51 .
“ Sure , our fatality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it ’ s 51 families that have been directly impacted by COVID in Ventura County , ” he said .
Amid increasing cases and deaths , the county has also increased testing .
Over the last three weeks , the average of COVID-19 tests administered weekly has jumped from 5,000 to 12,000 , said Barry Zimmerman , chief deputy director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency .
About 76,000 people have been tested , he said .
Among those testing positive , 62 % have been younger than 44 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 24 .
Over a quarter of positive tests have come from asymptomatic individuals , Parks said .

Hospital beds across Ventura County are filling up because of COVID-19 cases. Above: Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. [For the record: An earlier version of this post identified this hospital as Ventura County Medical Center.]
A coronavirus hospital surge plan is in place in Ventura County after emergency rooms and intensive care units filled up.
During a Wednesday media briefing, Ventura County Executive Officer Michael Powers said that when he asked hospital staffers whether their facilities were filling up, they said they were already full.
“That just says that even in a county like Ventura County, where we’ve been doing so well with keeping our numbers low, some of the lowest numbers in the state, even here this can happen. We could see this community spread and we could see a rise in hospital cases. I think this is a good wake-up call for us,” Powers said.
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There are 79 people hospitalized for acute COVID-19 care in the county, Ventura County Public Health Director Rigoberto Vargas said. In early June, that number sat in the mid-20s, he said. Thirty-one people are in intensive care units.
“We’re extremely full right now,” said John Fankhauser, chief executive of Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital. “We have opened up our surge space.... We are seeing patients in that surge space.”
The hospitals are considering restricting non-urgent surgeries to create more space for COVID-19 patients, he added.
“It’s important that you feel comfortable coming to the hospital, but we need our community to partner with us now,” Fankhauser said. “There is a limit to how much we can surge. We can’t continue on the path we are on right now with regard to social gatherings; with regard to close quarters and no masks indoors; with regard to the ability to wash your hands. We have to take those things seriously. We know how to control this disease.
Dr. Tara Paterson, director of the medical center’s intensive care unit, said the surge plan took five months to prepare. Now, with the ER and ICU full, that plan is in use, she said.
“These COVID-positive patients that we are seeing in the ICU are extremely sick. Those patients who require mechanical ventilation often have prolonged ICU stays. They are very labor intensive. Some of them do not survive their hospital stay. So please, please wear a mask, social-distance, do your part, because this could become a family member of yours. It could be your grandmother, your grandfather, your sister, your wife,” Paterson said.
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County Supervisor Linda Parks agreed that residents have the power to address the overflow.
“It’s up to you to stop our hospitals from ending up at capacity or over capacity,” she said
Powers echoed the call to action too.
“Until there’s a vaccine, the main thing we need is to have the testing capacity, the tracing and the support for voluntary quarantining,” he said.
Powers said the county is using only one-third of its tracing capacity and will continue to track community spread.
Vargas said the county received 125 new positive COVID-19 tests Wednesday, bringing the total to 3,983 positive tests. He also reported a new death, bringing the county’s death toll to 51.
“Sure, our fatality rate has been less than 1%. But it’s 51 families that have been directly impacted by COVID in Ventura County,” he said.
Amid increasing cases and deaths, the county has also increased testing. Over the last three weeks, the average of COVID-19 tests administered weekly has jumped from 5,000 to 12,000, said Barry Zimmerman, chief deputy director of the Ventura County Health Care Agency. About 76,000 people have been tested, he said.
Among those testing positive, 62% have been younger than 44. Of those, 40% are younger than 24. Over a quarter of positive tests have come from asymptomatic individuals, Parks said.


latimes--2020-07-08--Cannabis entrepreneurs agree to drop lawsuit over 'flawed' licensing process

Cannabis entrepreneurs have agreed to drop a lawsuit over Los Angeles ’ bitterly contested process for handing out licenses , after the city agreed to process more of the applicants vying to open new shops .
The Social Equity Owners and Workers Assn .
and one of its members sued the city in April , arguing that the application process to open new shops was fatally flawed .
Hundreds of people flooded the first-come , first-served system within minutes , hoping for a shot at just 100 licenses .
The association contended that more than 200 applicants who accessed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official start time for applications — got an unfair edge over others who waited until 10 a.m. to log on .
It had pushed for the city to stop handing out licenses for new shops as its lawsuit played out in court .
The group argued that “ it is fundamental to any fair race that the competitors must start at the same time or , at the very least , be given accurate information about when the race will begin.
” City attorneys countered that few people actually started their applications before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their applications back in line to where they would be if they had started on time — a process it called “ normalization.
” L.A. also pointed to an audit that found the city took reasonable and appropriate steps to prevent unfairness .
Halting the rollout of licenses for new shops as the lawsuit played out would only “ allow the illicit market to gain a stronger foothold in the community in the meantime ” and hurt entrepreneurs waiting to open their businesses , the city argued .
This week , a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case , arguing that halting the licensing process or overturning it would hurt them financially .
Some competitors , they argued , had simply been quicker to apply .
Under the settlement agreement with the Social Equity Owners and Workers Assn.
, L.A. agreed to make changes to its cannabis rules , including vetting the next 100 applications that were in line for licenses — possibly doubling the number of licensees from this round of applications .
Those changes were approved by the City Council last week , after the association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Garcetti signed the agreement this week .
Kika Keith , co-founder of the association , called it “ a great victory for us.
” She is among the applicants in L.A. 's social equity program , which aims to help cannabis entrepreneurs from communities hit hardest by the war on drugs .
“ Social equity applicants banded together and raised the money for legal fees to fight the injustice of the application process , ” she said in a brief statement .
The added licenses will benefit many entrepreneurs who didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fastest — including Keith herself , who is among the next 100 applicants in line — but hundreds more will still be out of luck .
L.A. does , however , plan to open another round of licensing for new shops .
The next round of applicants will be selected based on a lottery system rather than a first-come , first-served system — one of many changes that city officials made recently in reaction to criticism of the previous process .
The Department of Cannabis Regulation declined to comment Wednesday on the lawsuit @ @ @ @

Cannabis entrepreneurs have agreed to drop a lawsuit over Los Angeles’ bitterly contested process for handing out licenses, after the city agreed to process more of the applicants vying to open new shops.
The Social Equity Owners and Workers Assn. and one of its members sued the city in April, arguing that the application process to open new shops was fatally flawed. Hundreds of people flooded the first-come, first-served system within minutes, hoping for a shot at just 100 licenses.
The association contended that more than 200 applicants who accessed an online platform before 10 a.m. — the official start time for applications — got an unfair edge over others who waited until 10 a.m. to log on. It had pushed for the city to stop handing out licenses for new shops as its lawsuit played out in court.
The group argued that “it is fundamental to any fair race that the competitors must start at the same time or, at the very least, be given accurate information about when the race will begin.”
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California Santa Barbara grand jury blasts county supervisors over marijuana industry A Santa Barbara grand jury blames county supervisors for working too closely with lobbyists as they sought to regulate massive marijuana grows
City attorneys countered that few people actually started their applications before 10 a.m. and that Los Angeles pushed their applications back in line to where they would be if they had started on time — a process it called “normalization.” L.A. also pointed to an audit that found the city took reasonable and appropriate steps to prevent unfairness.
Halting the rollout of licenses for new shops as the lawsuit played out would only “allow the illicit market to gain a stronger foothold in the community in the meantime” and hurt entrepreneurs waiting to open their businesses, the city argued.
This week, a group of successful applicants also sought to intervene in the case, arguing that halting the licensing process or overturning it would hurt them financially. Some competitors, they argued, had simply been quicker to apply.
Under the settlement agreement with the Social Equity Owners and Workers Assn., L.A. agreed to make changes to its cannabis rules, including vetting the next 100 applications that were in line for licenses — possibly doubling the number of licensees from this round of applications.
Those changes were approved by the City Council last week, after the association signed off on the settlement. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the agreement this week.
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Cannabis Settlement Settlement agreement between Social Equity Workers and Owners Assn. and the City of Los Angeles.
Kika Keith, co-founder of the association, called it “a great victory for us.” She is among the applicants in L.A.’s social equity program, which aims to help cannabis entrepreneurs from communities hit hardest by the war on drugs.
“Social equity applicants banded together and raised the money for legal fees to fight the injustice of the application process,” she said in a statement.
The added licenses will benefit many entrepreneurs who didn’t get their applications in the quickest — including Keith, who is among the next 100 applicants in line — but hundreds more will still be out of luck. Madison Shockley III, another founder of the association, described it as a compromise.
“We made the decision to settle because we don’t see any way to make what happened fair — it’s kind of too late for that,” said Shockley, who is also among the 100 additional applicants now up for licenses.
If they had won, “we would only get a redo of 100 licenses,” Shockley said. “So we felt it was for the greater good to accept the settlement that included 200 licenses” because “more families’ lives would be changed with this outcome.”
L.A. does, however, plan to open another round of licensing for new shops. The next round of applicants will be selected based on a lottery system rather than a first-come, first-served system — one of many changes that city officials made recently in reaction to criticism of the previous process.
The Department of Cannabis Regulation declined to comment on the lawsuit or its settlement.


latimes--2020-07-08--L.A. County records highest daily coronavirus death toll in a month

Los Angeles County on Wednesday recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll in at least a month , which may be the result of increased disease transmission that likely began around Memorial Day .
Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 60 new coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday , and Long Beach — which has its own health officer — reported one new death .
The combined total of 61 cases is the highest single-day death toll since June 2 , when 62 deaths were reported across L.A. County , according to the Los Angeles Times ’ California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising .
The rate of infection is increasing .
And the number of hospitalizations are up .
And today , we ’ re even seeing a small increase in the number of deaths , ” Barbara Ferrer , the Los Angeles County director of public health , said Wednesday .
“ Tragically , we do expect that more of our loved ones and our neighbors may die of COVID-19 in the coming weeks with all of the increases we ’ re seeing in hospitalizations , ” Ferrer said .
“ We are seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ferrer added , pointing out that L.A. County is recording on average 2,400 new coronavirus cases a day ; at this time in June , L.A. County was tallying about 1,300 cases daily .
On Monday , there were 2,004 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections in L.A. County , a 36 % increase from Memorial Day , when 1,477 coronavirus-infected people were in L.A. County hospitals .
Monday was the second consecutive day L.A. County has posted a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations since the pandemic hit California .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 than really at any other point in the pandemic , ” Ferrer said .
“ We are worried , given the higher rates of hospitalizations , that deaths may go back up.
” Experts say it can take three to four weeks after exposure to the virus for infected people to become sick enough to be hospitalized , and four to five weeks after exposure for patients to die from the disease .
Statewide , the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations continued to march upward .
Tuesday marked California ’ s 18th consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hospitalized people with confirmed coronavirus infections .
On Tuesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said there were 6,100 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections , a 114 % increase from the number six weeks earlier , on May 26 , when 2,847 people were hospitalized .
The number of people in California ’ s intensive care units has also soared .
On Tuesday , there were 1,753 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in California ’ s intensive care units , a 71 % increase compared to the number six weeks earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients were in the ICU .
In both Los Angeles County and across the state , a higher percentage of coronavirus test results are coming back positive — an indication that virus transmission is worsening .
The so-called positivity rate has more than doubled since late May in L.A. County .
The seven-day average of the daily so-called positivity rate climbed to 10.4 % , officials said Wednesday ; in late May , that rate fell to a low of 4.6 % .
Across California , the rate at which coronavirus tests have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last three weeks .
A Los Angeles Times analysis of test results Wednesday showed the statewide positivity rate over the past seven days was 7.7 % % ; three weeks earlier , the rate was just 4.6 % .
There were some signs of progress — and that warnings the pandemic was worsening in L.A. County in recent weeks may be working .
Over the three-day Fourth of July weekend , out of 1,101 restaurants inspected in L.A. County , 99 % were in compliance with county orders to provide only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 99 % of customers were wearing masks and 82 % of employees were wearing appropriate face coverings .
Of 82 bars that were visited by L.A. County inspectors , all were closed , complying with an order issued last week .
By contrast , half of 2,000 restaurants inspected on a mid-June weekend were not in compliance with safety guidelines .
In addition , while coronavirus-related hospitalizations are at all-time highs in L.A. County , they ’ re increasing at a slower rate , said Dr. Christine Ghaly , L.A. County ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials began sounding the alarm a month ago , when the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus rose above 1 , meaning for every one person infected with the coronavirus , that person on average transmitted the virus to more than one other person — setting the stage for a dramatic worsening of the pandemic .
The transmission rate has fallen back to 1 in recent weeks .
That ’ s good news , and if that rate remains steady , it ’ s now likely that L.A. County will have an adequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But because the rate was above 1 for a period of time in June , it also means that as we head into July , L.A. County is now dealing with the consequences , Ghaly said .
Ghaly said officials suspect that the reopening of L.A. County ’ s economy was the major reason for the uptick in transmission .
L.A. County reopened churches and in-store shopping on May 26 ; allowed indoor dining to resume on May 29 ; and permitted bars and wineries to reopen on June 19 .
Bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 28 , and indoor dining was ordered closed on July 1 .
The coronavirus continues to disproportionately impact Black and Latino residents of Los Angeles County compared to white residents , according to an age-adjusted analysis of mortality rates released by county officials .
Black and Latino residents of L.A. County are dying at roughly double the rate of white residents , the analysis found .
For every 100,000 Latino residents , 45 have died ; and for every 100,000 Black residents , 41 have died .
For every 100,000 Asian residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 100,000 white residents , 21 have died .
The overall mortality rate in L.A. County is 33 deaths for every 100,000 residents .
The racial disparities are a cause of concern , Ferrer said , and mean that officials need to redouble efforts to improve access to testing and healthcare in underserved areas , as well as help workers who may not have adequate protection on the job .
Poor neighborhoods are also showing far worse mortality rates .
Those living in areas with the worst poverty in L.A. County are seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while residents of the wealthiest areas are seeing 18 deaths for every 100,000 residents .

Rong-Gong Lin II, Sean Greene, Ryan Murphy

Los Angeles County on Wednesday recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll in at least a month, which may be the result of increased disease transmission that likely began around Memorial Day.
Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 60 new coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday, and Long Beach — which has its own health officer — reported one new death. The combined total of 61 cases is the highest single-day death toll since June 2, when 62 deaths were reported across L.A. County, according to the Los Angeles Times’ California coronavirus tracker.
“Our cases are rising. The rate of infection is increasing. And the number of hospitalizations are up. And today, we’re even seeing a small increase in the number of deaths,” Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County director of public health, said Wednesday.
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“Tragically, we do expect that more of our loved ones and our neighbors may die of COVID-19 in the coming weeks with all of the increases we’re seeing in hospitalizations,” Ferrer said.
“We are seeing a sharp increase in community transmission,” Ferrer added, pointing out that L.A. County is recording on average 2,400 new coronavirus cases a day; at this time in June, L.A. County was tallying about 1,300 cases daily.
California California sets record for most coronavirus cases in a single day California cases are on pace to double every 24.8 days, a number that is used by experts to measure how quickly the virus is spreading.
On Monday, there were 2,004 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections in L.A. County, a 36% increase from Memorial Day, when 1,477 coronavirus-infected people were in L.A. County hospitals.
Monday was the second consecutive day L.A. County has posted a record number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations since the pandemic hit California.
“This is more people hospitalized each day for COVID-19 than really at any other point in the pandemic,” Ferrer said. “We are worried, given the higher rates of hospitalizations, that deaths may go back up.”
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Experts say it can take three to four weeks after exposure to the virus for infected people to become sick enough to be hospitalized, and four to five weeks after exposure for patients to die from the disease.
Statewide, the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations continued to march upward.
Tuesday marked California’s 18th consecutive day of breaking the record for number of hospitalized people with confirmed coronavirus infections.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said there were 6,100 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections, a 114% increase from the number six weeks earlier, on May 26, when 2,847 people were hospitalized.
The number of people in California’s intensive care units has also soared.
On Tuesday, there were 1,753 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in California’s intensive care units, a 71% increase compared to the number six weeks earlier, on May 26, when 1,026 coronavirus-infected patients were in the ICU.
In both Los Angeles County and across the state, a higher percentage of coronavirus test results are coming back positive — an indication that virus transmission is worsening.
Tracking the coronavirus in L.A. County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
The so-called positivity rate has more than doubled since late May in L.A. County. The seven-day average of the daily so-called positivity rate climbed to 10.4%, officials said Wednesday; in late May, that rate fell to a low of 4.6%.
Across California, the rate at which coronavirus tests have come back positive has jumped 67% in the last three weeks.
A Los Angeles Times analysis of test results Wednesday showed the statewide positivity rate over the past seven days was 7.7%%; three weeks earlier, the rate was just 4.6%.
There were some signs of progress — and that warnings the pandemic was worsening in L.A. County in recent weeks may be working.
Over the three-day Fourth of July weekend, out of 1,101 restaurants inspected in L.A. County, 99% were in compliance with county orders to provide only outdoor dining, takeout or delivery; 99% of customers were wearing masks and 82% of employees were wearing appropriate face coverings.
Of 82 bars that were visited by L.A. County inspectors, all were closed, complying with an order issued last week.
By contrast, half of 2,000 restaurants inspected on a mid-June weekend were not in compliance with safety guidelines.
In addition, while coronavirus-related hospitalizations are at all-time highs in L.A. County, they’re increasing at a slower rate, said Dr. Christine Ghaly, L.A. County’s director of health services.
L.A. County officials began sounding the alarm a month ago, when the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus rose above 1, meaning for every one person infected with the coronavirus, that person on average transmitted the virus to more than one other person — setting the stage for a dramatic worsening of the pandemic.
The transmission rate has fallen back to 1 in recent weeks. That’s good news, and if that rate remains steady, it’s now likely that L.A. County will have an adequate supply of hospital beds through early August.
But because the rate was above 1 for a period of time in June, it also means that as we head into July, L.A. County is now dealing with the consequences, Ghaly said.
Ghaly said officials suspect that the reopening of L.A. County’s economy was the major reason for the uptick in transmission.
L.A. County reopened churches and in-store shopping on May 26; allowed indoor dining to resume on May 29; and permitted bars and wineries to reopen on June 19.
Bars were ordered closed in L.A. County on June 28, and indoor dining was ordered closed on July 1.
The coronavirus continues to disproportionately impact Black and Latino residents of Los Angeles County compared to white residents, according to an age-adjusted analysis of mortality rates released by county officials.
Black and Latino residents of L.A. County are dying at roughly double the rate of white residents, the analysis found.
For every 100,000 Latino residents, 45 have died; and for every 100,000 Black residents, 41 have died.
For every 100,000 Asian residents, 27 have died. And for every 100,000 white residents, 21 have died.
The overall mortality rate in L.A. County is 33 deaths for every 100,000 residents.
The racial disparities are a cause of concern, Ferrer said, and mean that officials need to redouble efforts to improve access to testing and healthcare in underserved areas, as well as help workers who may not have adequate protection on the job.
Poor neighborhoods are also showing far worse mortality rates. Those living in areas with the worst poverty in L.A. County are seeing 73 fatalities for every 100,000 residents, while residents of the wealthiest areas are seeing 18 deaths for every 100,000 residents.


latimes--2020-07-08--California legislators delay return to Capitol as a lawmaker is hospitalized with COVID-19

The California Senate on Wednesday joined the Assembly in deciding not to return from its summer recess next week , citing the continued spread of the coronavirus , which has now infected several staffers and members in the Legislature .
The decision was announced on the same day that a second Assembly member , Republican Tom Lackey of Palmdale , acknowledged through a spokesman that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
“ Assemblyman Lackey has been hospitalized since Sunday for COVID-19 complications .
He is receiving excellent treatment at Palmdale Regional Medical Center and anticipates a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assemblyman ’ s chief of staff , said in a statement .
No new return date for the Senate was given in the notice sent to lawmakers Wednesday by Erika Contreras , the secretary of the Senate .
“ After careful consideration of the increase in COVID-19 cases in the Capitol community and throughout the state , the Senate has made the decision not to return to session next week , July 13-19 , ” Contreras wrote .
“ We will continue to monitor the public health situation , and I will notify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appropriate time to return to session.
” The decision comes as the number of coronavirus cases in California has surged in recent weeks , with hospitalizations up 44 % in the last two weeks .
Six employees of the state Assembly , including Assemblywoman Autumn Burke ( D-Marina Del Rey ) , have tested positive for COVID-19 , resulting in the lower house deciding to delay its resumption of legislative meetings indefinitely .
It is the second time since the pandemic began that legislators have called a break due to concerns over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recess until further notice , ” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon ( D- Lakewood ) .
“ We have taken this decision , as we did in March , to protect members , staff and the public from exposure , and it comes in light of recent news of positive coronavirus tests in the Capitol.
” Rendon told legislators that his office is developing a schedule that will allow pending bills to be heard but minimize the number of days that lawmakers are in the Capitol building , which is undergoing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to session tightens the window for the state Legislature to act on hundreds of pieces of legislation before an Aug. 31 deadline .
One Senate staffer tested positive last month , while two employees who work in district offices have confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
The letter from Contreras states that all Senate employees are expected to continue working remotely , while just one staff member may go into each legislator ’ s district office to perform “ essential functions.
” “ As has been our practice since the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office ] phones should be transferred to cellphones and answered during regular work hours , to continue providing resources , assistance and service to constituents , ” the Senate secretary advised .
She said overnight travel will not be approved “ except under compelling and unique circumstances ” approved by the secretary of the Senate .

The California Assembly, pictured during a session last year, has postponed returning to the Capitol from summer recess because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The California Senate on Wednesday joined the Assembly in deciding not to return from its summer recess next week, citing the continued spread of the coronavirus, which has now infected several staffers and members in the Legislature.
The decision was announced on the same day that a second Assembly member, Republican Tom Lackey of Palmdale, acknowledged through a spokesman that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“Assemblyman Lackey has been hospitalized since Sunday for COVID-19 complications. He is receiving excellent treatment at Palmdale Regional Medical Center and anticipates a full recovery,” George Andrews, the assemblyman’s chief of staff, said in a statement.
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Lackey, 61, was elected after retiring from a career in the California Highway Patrol.
The Senate and Assembly were scheduled to return from summer recess on Monday, but legislative leaders issued a statement Thursday saying, “We will resume session on July 27 in order to minimize potential COVID-19 exposure and transmission in the California State Capitol.”
The announcement that Monday’s return was canceled was made Wednesday by Erika Contreras, the secretary of the Senate.
“After careful consideration of the increase in COVID-19 cases in the Capitol community and throughout the state, the Senate has made the decision not to return to session next week, July 13-19,” Contreras wrote.
The decision comes as the number of coronavirus cases in California has surged in recent weeks, with hospitalizations up 44% in the last two weeks.
Six employees of the state Assembly, including Assemblywoman Autumn Burke (D-Marina del Rey), have tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the lower house deciding to delay its resumption of legislative meetings indefinitely. It is the second time since the pandemic began that legislators have called a break due to concerns over the virus.
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) had announced earlier that it was too soon to return Monday. “We have taken this decision, as we did in March, to protect members, staff and the public from exposure, and it comes in light of recent news of positive coronavirus tests in the Capitol.”
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Rendon told legislators that his office is developing a schedule that will allow pending bills to be heard but minimize the number of days that lawmakers are in the Capitol building, which is undergoing a deep cleaning.
The decision to delay returning to session tightens the window for the state Legislature to act on hundreds of pieces of legislation before an Aug. 31 deadline.
One Senate staffer tested positive last month, while two employees who work in district offices have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The letter from Contreras states that all Senate employees are expected to continue working remotely, while just one staff member may go into each legislator’s district office to perform “essential functions.”
“As has been our practice since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Capitol and [district office] phones should be transferred to cellphones and answered during regular work hours, to continue providing resources, assistance and service to constituents,” the Senate secretary advised.
She said overnight travel will not be approved “except under compelling and unique circumstances” approved by the secretary of the Senate.