LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
L.A. County has extended its stay-at-home order through May 15th to try to keep the number of coronavirus cases as low as possible.
The order was originally set to expire April 19th.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, the Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, says we are bending the curve, but if physical distancing doesn't continue:
"We would project that by middle of the summer, virtually all residents in Los Angeles County would have been exposed or infected with COVID-19. The projections show that up to 96% of people would have been exposed and we know that for every hundred people exposed, 3% of those people need hospitalization. And 1% of those people need ICU care."
She added that even with the measures in place now, every positive COVID-19 case is infecting at least one other person and sometimes up to two or three people.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.