Lots of COVID-19 announcements in the last 12 hours or so, including:
COVID-19 Testing
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti announced this morning that the city is rolling out limited testing for the coronavirus, according to the following guidelines:
“For the moment, these tests are strictly limited to residents of Los Angeles who are in the most high-risk categories and most vulnerable.
Individuals eligible for testing at this time include:
- Those with symptoms who are 65 and older
- Those with symptoms who have underlying chronic health conditions
- Those who are subject to a mandatory 14 day quarantine period due to a confirmed COVID-19 exposure (with more than 7 days of quarantine remaining)”
To find out of you’re eligible for testing, see https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs and answer the screening questions on that page.
Also, just this afternoon, the city announced partnerships with Seegene Technologies, Inc., a South Korea-based test kit manufacturer, to purchase and process 20,000 new tests for the Coronavirus. A statement from City Council Member David Ryu, who announced the partnership in a press converence with LA County Board of Supervisors Board Chair Kathryn Barger and City Council President Nury Martinez, said city and county leaders “used a combined $1.25 million of County funds and discretionary funds from Council President Martinez and Councilmemebr Ryu to purchase the 20,000 tests immediately, while a larger contract is worked out.”
“We cannot beat the Coronavirus without more testing, isolation and treatment. Until then, we are operating in the dark,” Ryu said in the statement. “Every minute counts in this crisis, and that’s why I have been working to secure contracts with test kit manufacturers worldwide and certified laboratories in California. Los Angeles isn’t waiting around – and I’m not either. I’m proud to partner with County leaders and Council President Martinez to secure more tests, expand lab capacity, and address critical material shortages to expand testing as quickly as possible.”
The statement also noted that “the first 20,000 tests will be directed toward first-responders and medical professionals on the frontline of addressing the Coronavirus pandemic in Los Angeles. As these tests are rolled out, a larger agreement with Seegene Technologies, Inc., will be worked out. Seegene has committed to provide 100,000 tests per week to Los Angeles. All tests will be made free to the public.”
Closures of Beaches, Mountains/Trails, Parks
Because our local beaches, mountains, trails and parks continue to attract too many people, a number of new closures were announced on Sunday. They include Los Angeles golf courses, beach parking lots in Venice and Santa Monica, and group sports activities at Los Angeles city parks. The closures also include trails and parks under the jurisdiction of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and parks managed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Garcetti said in a tweet yesterday, “This weekend we saw too many people packing beaches, trails and parks. So we are closing sports and recreation at @LACityParks and closing parking at city beaches. That doesn’t mean gather elsewhere. This is serious. Stay home and save lives.”
Extension of School Closures
This morning, LAUSD Superintendant Austin Beutner announced that district school closures have been extended until at least May 1, that the district is investing $100 million in online learning improvements, and that it has also reached a deal with Verizon to provide free internet access for students who don’t already have it. LAUSD Grab and Go Food Centers will continue to provide two free meals a day for students, and LAUSD teachers and staff will continue to receive their regular pay and benefits. For further details, see lausd.net
New LA County Rules
On Saturday, March 21, Los Angeles County issued new restrictions on public gatherings, which are intended to bring the County into alignment with the stricter rules previously announced at the LA city and California State levels. The announcement says that:
“Effective immediately on March 21, 2020 and continuing through April 19, 2020, all public and private group events and gatherings are prohibited anywhere within the Los Angeles County Public Health Jurisdiction…All persons are to remain in their homes or at their place of residence, except to travel to and from Essential Businesses, to work at or provide service to a Healthcare Operation or Essential Infrastructure, to engage in Essential Activities, or to participate in an individual or family outdoor activity, while practicing social distancing.”
Local Case Counts
As of today, according to the live tracker from the LA Times, these are the lasted reported COVID-19 confirmed case and death counts in the U.S., California, Los Angeles…and some specific neighborhoods near us:
US Cases/Deaths: 33, 276/417
California Cases/Deaths: 1,828/35
Los Angeles Cases: 411
Nearby Neighborhoods Cases:
- West Hollywood 19
- Melrose 17
- Hollywood 12
- Hancock Park 5
- Miracle Mile 4
- Park La Brea 4
- Koreatown 2
Buzz Resource Pages
As always, be sure to check our constantly updated resource pages on the Buzz:
…and please continue to send updates for these to [email protected].
Stay home and stay healthy, everyone!
