Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Doctors Brace For Surge As COVID-19 Hospitalizations In LA County Reach All-Time High
The scene at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, where a field hospital was set up to prepare for an influx in COVID-19 patients. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Doctors in Los Angeles County are urging people to socially distance and wear masks as they see an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
“[In terms of] capacity, we still have some room, but in my mind, it’s not going to take very much to really stress the system,” said Dr. Andrea Austin, an emergency physician in downtown Los Angeles.
Austin said she’s seeing more COVID patients, but also more people coming into the emergency room for non-COVID injuries and illnesses as businesses have reopened.
“We were really bracing for a New York situation in April, and fortunately, that didn't happen. But those plans are still in place,” Austin said. She said outdoor tents are still up at one of the hospitals where she works, but the concern will be about the work force.
Support for LAist comes from
“We can surge quite a bit as far as physical space. I think the challenge will be staffing at that point,” Austin said.
L.A. County health officials said Wednesday that the number of hospitalizations are the highest they’ve been since the pandemic began, with more than 2,000 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19. Four weeks ago, that number hovered between 1,350 to 1,450.
Dr. Larry Stock, an emergency physician at the Antelope Valley Hospital, said he's seen more people coming into the ER.
"We're seeing increased volumes of COVID patients and there's been a change. One, we're seeing younger patients," he said.
Stock said that volume has increased so much that the emergency room had to hold about 20 patients on Tuesday who were waiting for beds to become available so they could be admitted.
Another emergency physician, who works at a hospital in downtown Los Angeles, is seeing the same in his department.
“This is now an everyday occurrence, patients being held in the emergency room waiting to go upstairs to a bed,” said the doctor, who did not want to be identified.
Support for LAist comes from
“Hospitals, emergency rooms, ICUs, they are reaching their capacity and we are about to enter a very very difficult several weeks,” he said.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist