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California Coronavirus Cases: The Latest Update on the Outbreak California Coronavirus Cases: The Latest Update on the Outbreak
(1 day later)
Over the course of a few weeks, stringent social distancing rules have emptied huge swaths of areas around the state. 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 1,552 deaths from the virus, compared with 183 in California, as of Wednesday according to The Times’s tracking. Over the course of a few weeks, stringent social distancing rules have grounded California’s 40 million residents to a halt, including millions of students and teachers who have shifted to online learning. On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom 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. 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.
However, some projections show that the state will reach peak resource use at the end of April. To prepare for the influx of cases that experts say is on the horizon, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the creation of the California Health Corps on Monday, an initiative aimed at deploying 37,000 workers into the state’s health care system in order to ease the pressure off existing providers. 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 1,941 deaths from the virus, compared with 212 in California, as of Thursday according to The Times’s tracking.
However, some projections show that the state will reach peak resource use at the end of April. To prepare for the influx of cases that experts say is on the horizon, the governor announced the creation of the California Health Corps on Monday, an initiative aimed at deploying 37,000 workers into the state’s health care system in order to ease the pressure off existing providers.
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 Wednesday morning, the state had more than 8,580 cases, including 183 deaths. The number of people who have been hospitalized with Covid-19 in the state has increased to over 1,400 with over 600 patients in intensive care. As of Thursday morning, the state had more than 9,800 cases, including 212 deaths. The number of people who have been hospitalized with Covid-19 in the state has increased to over 1,850 with over 770 patients in intensive care.
The state has conducted over 83,800 tests so far. However, the vast majority, 56,550, are currently pending results. Tests are conducted using private, academic and commercial labs alongside the state’s 22 county health labs. The state has conducted over 86,100 tests so far. However, the vast majority, 57,400, are currently 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 have also begun 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.]
Should the most dire predictions come true, the governor said that California would be short about 17,000 hospital beds. The state was also short 1 billion protective gloves and hundreds of millions of masks, he said.Should the most dire predictions come true, the governor said that California would be short about 17,000 hospital beds. The state was also short 1 billion protective gloves and hundreds of millions of masks, he said.
The effort to conduct widespread testing has also been slow, with New York State having tested twice as many people as California.The effort to conduct widespread testing has also been slow, with New York State having tested twice as many people as California.
Still, officials are rushing to fill the shortfall, reopening hospitals that had been shuttered, buying motels to house the state’s more than 150,000 homeless people, and retrofitting college dormitories to serve as hospital wards.Still, officials are rushing to fill the shortfall, reopening hospitals that had been shuttered, buying motels to house the state’s more than 150,000 homeless people, and retrofitting 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.
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.
Last Wednesday, 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.Last Wednesday, 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.
On Monday, 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.On Monday, 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.
A day after it was announced, the governor announced that 25,000 licensed health care professionals had submitted applications. Days after it was announced, the governor announced that more than 34,000 licensed 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.
Already, 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.