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Coronavirus Cases in California Coronavirus Cases in California
(about 13 hours later)
[We are no longer updating this page. Here’s latest on the coronavirus in California.][We are no longer updating this page. Here’s latest on the coronavirus in California.]
Over the course of a few weeks, stringent social distancing rules have grounded California’s 40 million residents to a halt.Over the course of a few weeks, stringent social distancing rules have grounded California’s 40 million residents to a halt.
However, there are some signs that California’s early adoption of shelter-at-home policies may be paying off, with hospitals spared from being hit as hard as in New York City, the center of the pandemic. New York State had reported 4,758 deaths from the virus, compared with 386 in California, as of Tuesday according to The Times’s tracking.However, there are some signs that California’s early adoption of shelter-at-home policies may be paying off, with hospitals spared from being hit as hard as in New York City, the center of the pandemic. New York State had reported 4,758 deaths from the virus, compared with 386 in California, as of Tuesday according to The Times’s tracking.
Along with aggressively preparing for a potential surge in patients, the governor announced on Monday that he was loaning 500 state-owned ventilators to states like New York that are currently experiencing dire equipment shortages. “I know, if the tables were turned, other states would be there for us,” he said on Twitter.Along with aggressively preparing for a potential surge in patients, the governor announced on Monday that he was loaning 500 state-owned ventilators to states like New York that are currently experiencing dire equipment shortages. “I know, if the tables were turned, other states would be there for us,” he said on Twitter.
Things are changing quickly. Here is a recap of what you need to know.Things are changing quickly. Here is a recap of what you need to know.
[Sign up for daily updates in each California Today newsletter here.][Sign up for daily updates in each California Today newsletter here.]
As of Tuesday morning, the state had more than 16,280 cases, including 386 deaths. The number of people who have been hospitalized with Covid-19 in the state has increased to over 2,500 with over 1,080 patients in intensive care. As of Sunday, local health departments have reported 212 confirmed positive cases in health care workers.As of Tuesday morning, the state had more than 16,280 cases, including 386 deaths. The number of people who have been hospitalized with Covid-19 in the state has increased to over 2,500 with over 1,080 patients in intensive care. As of Sunday, local health departments have reported 212 confirmed positive cases in health care workers.
The state has conducted approximately 143,800 tests as of Sunday, with 14,100 tests pending results. Tests are conducted using private, academic and commercial labs alongside the state’s 22 county health labs.The state has conducted approximately 143,800 tests as of Sunday, with 14,100 tests pending results. Tests are conducted using private, academic and commercial labs alongside the state’s 22 county health labs.
Santa Clara, San Mateo, Riverside and Sacramento counties are also piloting a program in partnership with Verily, the health and life science subsidiary of Alphabet, that will triage patients and screen them before testing them for the virus. Qualified residents can use Project Baseline’s website to screen their symptoms to determine if they are eligible for in-person testing.Santa Clara, San Mateo, Riverside and Sacramento counties are also piloting a program in partnership with Verily, the health and life science subsidiary of Alphabet, that will triage patients and screen them before testing them for the virus. Qualified residents can use Project Baseline’s website to screen their symptoms to determine if they are eligible for in-person testing.
The governor made an important announcement in mid-March from the state’s emergency operations center in Sacramento, normally a place where officials respond to wildfires and earthquakes. This time, Mr. Newsom spoke in stark terms of the risks of a more invisible threat.The governor made an important announcement in mid-March from the state’s emergency operations center in Sacramento, normally a place where officials respond to wildfires and earthquakes. This time, Mr. Newsom spoke in stark terms of the risks of a more invisible threat.
Citing a model that state planners have been using, he said that the coronavirus could infect 56 percent of Californians, or more than 25 million people, over eight weeks. “I think it’s time I tell you what I tell my family,” he said.Citing a model that state planners have been using, he said that the coronavirus could infect 56 percent of Californians, or more than 25 million people, over eight weeks. “I think it’s time I tell you what I tell my family,” he said.
“This is not a permanent state,” he said. “This is a moment in time.”“This is not a permanent state,” he said. “This is a moment in time.”
To combat the spread, he announced that all Californians were being asked to stay home as much as possible, until further notice.To combat the spread, he announced that all Californians were being asked to stay home as much as possible, until further notice.
Under the order, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, gyms, retail shops and most corporate offices will be closed. Essential businesses — like banks, grocery stores, pharmacies and laundromats — should remain open, officials said. Officials specified which workers and businesses are considered essential and how they’d be allowed to operate. The list included liquor stores that sell foods and cannabis dispensaries. Though residents are being asked to stay home except for essential needs, they are still allowed to go outside to take walks and visit grocery stores, as long as they stay six feet apart.Under the order, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, gyms, retail shops and most corporate offices will be closed. Essential businesses — like banks, grocery stores, pharmacies and laundromats — should remain open, officials said. Officials specified which workers and businesses are considered essential and how they’d be allowed to operate. The list included liquor stores that sell foods and cannabis dispensaries. Though residents are being asked to stay home except for essential needs, they are still allowed to go outside to take walks and visit grocery stores, as long as they stay six feet apart.
[Read the full order here.][Read the full order here.]
Last Wednesday, the governor confirmed what many already suspected: schools would remain closed for the rest of the year. “Schools will not reopen but classes are in session,” he said in a press conference. Educators across the state have agreed on a framework for providing distance learning and meals for students who need them through the end of the year.Last Wednesday, the governor confirmed what many already suspected: schools would remain closed for the rest of the year. “Schools will not reopen but classes are in session,” he said in a press conference. Educators across the state have agreed on a framework for providing distance learning and meals for students who need them through the end of the year.
Chronic absenteeism, a problem in many schools before the pandemic, has worsened due to the virus. Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest district, said last week that about a third of its high school students were not logging in for classes.Chronic absenteeism, a problem in many schools before the pandemic, has worsened due to the virus. Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second-largest district, said last week that about a third of its high school students were not logging in for classes.
Heber Marquez, a high school English teacher at the Maywood Center for Enriched Studies in Los Angeles County, estimated that just 45 percent of his students were showing up to Zoom classroom meetings.Heber Marquez, a high school English teacher at the Maywood Center for Enriched Studies in Los Angeles County, estimated that just 45 percent of his students were showing up to Zoom classroom meetings.
“A lot of our students have siblings they have to take care of, and their parents are still going out and working,” Mr. Marquez said. “It makes it very difficult to log on at the same time as feeding breakfast to their siblings or helping with chores.”“A lot of our students have siblings they have to take care of, and their parents are still going out and working,” Mr. Marquez said. “It makes it very difficult to log on at the same time as feeding breakfast to their siblings or helping with chores.”
State officials have been rushing to fill the shortfall of hospital beds, aiming to add 50,000 beds to the existing 75,000 capacity. So far, they have leased two hospitals that had previously shuttered, bought up motels to house the state’s more than 150,000 homeless people, and retrofitted college dormitories to serve as hospital wards.State officials have been rushing to fill the shortfall of hospital beds, aiming to add 50,000 beds to the existing 75,000 capacity. So far, they have leased two hospitals that had previously shuttered, bought up motels to house the state’s more than 150,000 homeless people, and retrofitted college dormitories to serve as hospital wards.
San Francisco has also been laying out plans to turn convention centers into temporary shelters, and lease hotel rooms for health care workers and vulnerable people who cannot self-quarantine.San Francisco has also been laying out plans to turn convention centers into temporary shelters, and lease hotel rooms for health care workers and vulnerable people who cannot self-quarantine.
The USNS Mercy, a Navy hospital ship with a thousand bed capacity, has begun taking patients in Los Angeles.The USNS Mercy, a Navy hospital ship with a thousand bed capacity, has begun taking patients in Los Angeles.
Mr. Newsom is also leaning heavily on the private sector. Elon Musk, the head of the electric carmaker Tesla, has vowed to produce 1,000 ventilators. Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg and Mr. Musk have each made separate pledges to give 2 million protective masks to the state.Mr. Newsom is also leaning heavily on the private sector. Elon Musk, the head of the electric carmaker Tesla, has vowed to produce 1,000 ventilators. Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg and Mr. Musk have each made separate pledges to give 2 million protective masks to the state.
On Monday, the governor announced he was loaning 500 state-owned ventilators to the national stockpile, to be used by states with equipment shortages. “California is stepping up to help our fellow Americans in New York and across the country who are being impacted the hardest right now by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement. He acknowledged that preparation for a surge of patients is still underway, but “we can’t turn our back on Americans whose lives depend on having a ventilator now.”On Monday, the governor announced he was loaning 500 state-owned ventilators to the national stockpile, to be used by states with equipment shortages. “California is stepping up to help our fellow Americans in New York and across the country who are being impacted the hardest right now by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement. He acknowledged that preparation for a surge of patients is still underway, but “we can’t turn our back on Americans whose lives depend on having a ventilator now.”
With unemployment numbers at record highs, many residents fear they will be unable to pay their rent or mortgage on time.With unemployment numbers at record highs, many residents fear they will be unable to pay their rent or mortgage on time.
Updated August 3, 2020 Updated August 4, 2020
In late March, the governor announced that four of the nation’s five largest banks — Wells Fargo, Citi, JP Morgan, and US Bank — have agreed to a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments for those affected by Covid-19. Bank of America agreed to a 30 day forbearance. The governor mentioned in a news conference that in order to be eligible for the waiver, documentation would need to be provided, but provided no specific details.In late March, the governor announced that four of the nation’s five largest banks — Wells Fargo, Citi, JP Morgan, and US Bank — have agreed to a 90-day grace period for mortgage payments for those affected by Covid-19. Bank of America agreed to a 30 day forbearance. The governor mentioned in a news conference that in order to be eligible for the waiver, documentation would need to be provided, but provided no specific details.
The governor has also urged cities and counties throughout the state to protect residents who cannot keep up with rents, mortgages or utilities because of the coronavirus. On March 16, he issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to take action.The governor has also urged cities and counties throughout the state to protect residents who cannot keep up with rents, mortgages or utilities because of the coronavirus. On March 16, he issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to take action.
“People shouldn’t lose or be forced out of their home because of the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement. “Over the next few weeks, everyone will have to make sacrifices — but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them.”“People shouldn’t lose or be forced out of their home because of the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement. “Over the next few weeks, everyone will have to make sacrifices — but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them.”
The order does not relieve tenants from the obligation to pay rent but it does request that banks halt foreclosures and evictions that stem from a person’s inability to pay their household expenses as a result of the pandemic. The protections are in effect until May 31.The order does not relieve tenants from the obligation to pay rent but it does request that banks halt foreclosures and evictions that stem from a person’s inability to pay their household expenses as a result of the pandemic. The protections are in effect until May 31.
Already, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Jose and San Francisco have put in place temporary moratoriums on evictions related to the loss of income because of the virus.Already, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Jose and San Francisco have put in place temporary moratoriums on evictions related to the loss of income because of the virus.
Civil rights groups say the governor’s executive order doesn’t go far enough in protecting tenants, however. They called on the governor to issue a blanket moratorium on all evictions and utility shut-offs across the state.Civil rights groups say the governor’s executive order doesn’t go far enough in protecting tenants, however. They called on the governor to issue a blanket moratorium on all evictions and utility shut-offs across the state.
“This is overly complicated and does not protect tenants from evictions now, but leaves it up to local jurisdictions to enact such protections. It is imperative that there is a statewide moratorium that does not rely on local action,” they wrote in a joint statement.“This is overly complicated and does not protect tenants from evictions now, but leaves it up to local jurisdictions to enact such protections. It is imperative that there is a statewide moratorium that does not rely on local action,” they wrote in a joint statement.
Last week, the governor called on health care professionals to join the ranks in the fight against Covid-19 by applying to the California Health Corps, a new initiative aimed at tapping a pool of some 37,000 retired or part-time health care professionals to help the thousands already working through the crisis. Mr. Newsom issued an executive order temporarily loosening the licensing requirements to allow for medical retirees as well as students at the end of their training to join the work force.Last week, the governor called on health care professionals to join the ranks in the fight against Covid-19 by applying to the California Health Corps, a new initiative aimed at tapping a pool of some 37,000 retired or part-time health care professionals to help the thousands already working through the crisis. Mr. Newsom issued an executive order temporarily loosening the licensing requirements to allow for medical retirees as well as students at the end of their training to join the work force.
There are still details to be ironed out, however, such as whether older doctors should join the ranks, since they are under strict orders to stay at home.There are still details to be ironed out, however, such as whether older doctors should join the ranks, since they are under strict orders to stay at home.
Days after it was announced, the governor announced that 70,000 health care professionals had submitted applications.Days after it was announced, the governor announced that 70,000 health care professionals had submitted applications.
Though Californians face sweeping job and income losses in the face of the outbreak, Mr. Newsom has expressed confidence that the state can survive the economic fallout from the crisis. California has a $21 billion budget surplus, plus a rainy-day fund of close to $16 billion. “We are well positioned from a cash perspective to get through this,” he said.Though Californians face sweeping job and income losses in the face of the outbreak, Mr. Newsom has expressed confidence that the state can survive the economic fallout from the crisis. California has a $21 billion budget surplus, plus a rainy-day fund of close to $16 billion. “We are well positioned from a cash perspective to get through this,” he said.
In addition, the Federal stimulus bill, the largest one in modern U.S. history, is expected to provide billions of dollars in aid to the state.In addition, the Federal stimulus bill, the largest one in modern U.S. history, is expected to provide billions of dollars in aid to the state.
But like everything else, the situation is changing by the day.But like everything else, the situation is changing by the day.
Economists at the University of California, Los Angeles released a revised report saying that the nation’s economy had entered a recession, and predicting that the economic fallout would be worse in California, because of the state’s reliance on tourism and international transportation.Economists at the University of California, Los Angeles released a revised report saying that the nation’s economy had entered a recession, and predicting that the economic fallout would be worse in California, because of the state’s reliance on tourism and international transportation.
Over a million people have applied for unemployment benefits because of the outbreak.Over a million people have applied for unemployment benefits because of the outbreak.
Reporting was contributed by Sarah Mervosh, Jill Cowan, Rick Rojas, Patrick J. Lyons, Sean Plambeck, Roni Caryn Rabin, Farah Stockman, Louis Keene, Emily Cochrane, Margot Sanger-Katz and Noah Weiland.Reporting was contributed by Sarah Mervosh, Jill Cowan, Rick Rojas, Patrick J. Lyons, Sean Plambeck, Roni Caryn Rabin, Farah Stockman, Louis Keene, Emily Cochrane, Margot Sanger-Katz and Noah Weiland.