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Gov. Newsom Cautions Against Expecting NFL This Fall, Announces Coronavirus Testing Task Force
Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered a coronavirus update Saturday with the latest numbers on the spread of the disease in California, details on efforts to improve and increase testing, and more.
You can watch his update above, or read below for highlights:
LATEST STATE CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS
There are currently 2,300 people hospitalized with coronavirus, 1,008 of them in ICU beds, Newsom said. That is a 10.9% increase over the previous day. A total of 12,026 people have tested positive in the state for COVID-19, a 12.4% daily increase.
EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND INCREASE TESTING
There have been 126,700 Californians tested for coronavirus so far. Newsom said that while that may sound high to many, it is low to others, including the governor. Due to the testing backlog, there were recently 59,500 people waiting for results, some for up to 12 days. Now that backlog has been reduced to 13,000, Newsom said.
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"The testing space has been a challenging one for us, and I own that," Newsom said.
The governor announced a task force with the aim of increasing testing in the state fivefold. He announced a partnership with UC Davis and UC San Diego to create up to seven testing hubs throughout the state to help increase testing capacity.
BRINGING BACK PRO SPORTS?
When asked about the potential of starting the NFL season on time this fall, as President Trump suggested today, Newsom said he doesn't anticipate that happening in California. Newsom said that he was asked by a well-known football player whether he should expect to come back, and Newsom told him that he should move cautiously in that expectation. The governor said decisions in this area will be determined by health experts and the state's attempts to bend the curve, as well as having community surveillance and testing to determine whether that would be appropriate.
UNEMPLOYMENT
Newsom said that 2.1 million Californians have filed for unemployment since March 1. The state's budget is being recalibrated due to the current crisis, he added, but health care will remain a priority. However, his entire January budget proposal is being reconsidered, he said.
CORONAVIRUS MEDICAL SUPPLIES
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Newsom announced a new website, covid19supplies.ca.gov, to help solicit medical supply contributions, as well as making clear which supplies the state needs. The state has distributed 41.2 million N95 masks so far, Newsom said.
CHURCH GATHERINGS
When asked about a megachurch in Sacramento County where dozens of people were infected by COVID-19, Newsom said that the consequences of the church not following stay-at-home orders were devastating.
"The faith-based community is all about love. If you love thy neighbor, you will practice physical distancing. You won't put them in a congregate setting to put their lives at risk," Newsom said. "As we pray, let's move our feet, and let's move our feet six feet apart from one another."
OTHER UPDATES
More than 79,000 people have signed up for the state's health care worker surge program so far, Newsom said.
The governor reiterated that the state is prioritizing the homeless and senior populations due to their potential vulnerability to COVID-19.
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SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT COVID-19
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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