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.
LA County Hospital Beds Could Fill In Coming Weeks As COVID-19 Cases Surge
Predictions of daily mortality rate in L.A. County if current trend of coronavirus spread continues. (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
()
Los Angeles county health officials warned Monday that local hospitals could reach capacity in the next two weeks as the coronavirus infects more Angelenos through newly reopened businesses and public and private spaces.
The news comes just a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered bars closed in Los Angeles and six other California counties because of the virus's rapid spread.
L.A. public health officials estimate that one in every 140 people in the county is infected with COVID-19 and is infectious to others, not including people who are hospitalized with the disease or those who are quarantined or isolated at home, said Dr. Robert Lewis, director of COVID-19 modeling for the department of health services. The revised infection rate is a big jump from just last week, when the county's modeling estimated one in 400 people were likely infected.
Lewis said the new estimate reflects the likely spread among people who are asymptomatic.
Support for LAist comes from
“A large typical store is likely to have multiple infectious persons enter the shop every day. I'd like to emphasize that those people who are infectious to others often will have no or minimal symptoms,” Lewis said.
Officials also said nearly half of bars and 33% of the restaurants visited this past weekend by inspectors were not adhering to social distancing rules. Inspectors also found employees not wearing masks or face shields at 54% of the bars and 44% of the restaurants they visited.
Inspectors have found a large number of businesses failing to comply with guidelines set for minimizing the virus's spread as the county reopens. (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
()
L.A. County public health officials said the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, in part because people aren't complying with safety guidelines. (Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health)
()
L.A. County health officials also said:
- The positivity rate has jumped to 9%, meaning about 9 out of every 100 people tested for the virus has a positive result. Transmission rates are also on the rise.
- If steps aren’t taken to increase capacity, hospitals in L.A. County will likely run out of beds in the next two weeks and intensive care unit or ICU beds in the first week of July.
- Hospitals are already implementing surge plans, including limiting elective procedures and preparing to turn areas like emergency rooms into COVID-19 treatment areas.
- More younger people are getting the virus. There has been a 40% increase in cases in adults 40 and under.
- The county has enough ventilators to meet the projected need for the next four weeks.
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
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist