LA Will Ramp Up Enforcement Of Coronavirus Restrictions, Begin Testing At LAX – LAist

Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered an update on California's response to coronavirus, including many counties moving back to the most restrictive tier and the announcement of a potential curfew. You can read highlights below or watch the full video above.

California's daily COVID-19 cases have doubled in the last 10 days, the fastest increase seen in the state since the start of the pandemic. A slide in Newsom's presentation read, "We are sounding the alarm."

The highest rate seen previously was in June, when there was a one-week 39.2% increase between Nov. 1 and Nov. 7, there was a 51.3% increase.

AN "EMERGENCY BRAKE" ON REOPENING; STATE CURFEW UNDER CONSIDERATION

There were previously 13 counties in the most restrictive purple tier there are now 41 of the state's 58 counties in purple. This includes all of Southern California, though L.A. County was still in purple before this announcement. There are 11 counties remaining in red, 4 in orange, and 2 in the lowest yellow tier.

Ghaly said that, hopefully, rates will start coming down by the end of December and forward movement on reopening can begin again.

Newsom announced that the state is "pulling an emergency brake" as part of the state's reopening blueprint, and they are now tightening restrictions.

The governor said that a statewide curfew is also under consideration. He is looking at curfew strategies from other countries, states, and cities.

Counties will now move back into a more restrictive reopening tier after 1 week of data that doesn't meet standards for being in a lower tier, rather than 2 weeks.

Some counties are set to move multiple tiers backwards at one time.

Counties that move back have to make changes to businesses/industries in a 24-hour period instead of after three days as has been the practice previously. Enforcement will be phased in.

Due to the urgency, Newsom said, changes are being announced today rather than waiting for California Health Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly's weekly Tuesday press conference. The state will also assess tiers for different counties again mid-week.

Ghaly said that the reason for this shift is that the state's health care system is coming under stress. He expressed the importance of keeping transmission low to prevent flooding the system, as well as the importance of keeping health care workers safe during the winter as cases increase.

More updates on restrictions will be coming in "real-time" going forward, rather than waiting for Newsom's Monday press conferences and Dr. Ghaly's Tuesday press conferences, Newsom said.

CALIFORNIA'S PREPARATION FOR THIS SURGE, FOR THE VACCINE

There are 11 health care surge facilities throughout the state, Newsom said. There is also the abiliity to set up more within 24-96 hours, with a total capacity if needed of 1,872 beds. The first of those surge facilities being put into use is in Imperial County.

Newsom expressed optimism about the vaccine, noting that it moves the response to COVID-19 "from a marathon to a sprint." The state is planning for safe, equitable, and transparent distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, as well as working on preparing for unknowns. They've also set up expert committees on safety and distribution. Newsom noted that one of those experts, as well as other Californians, have joined President-Elect Joe Biden's national team.

California has already been working with both Pfizer and Moderna ahead of the release of their vaccines. Some of the timelines are behind schedule, according to Newsom, but the effectiveness of those vaccines is significantly higher than some preliminary projections.

The state has an inventory of 180 million N95 masks, as well as 342 million surgical masks, along with a stockpile of other personal protective equipment (PPE).

HOW TO KEEP TRANSMISSION LOW

Ghaly stressed the importance of wearing a mask while in public. He noted that, when gathering with people you don't live with in any setting, transmission can be caused by lowering your mask for any reason.

The state has been tracking "household transmission," which is where someone transmits COVID-19 to others in their home, potentially due to working outside the household. Between a third and a half of family members get infected. He said this was something to take particular note of if you live with someone who is older or more vulnerable to COVID-19, even if you're asymptomatic.

The state put out guidance for gatherings last week. Ghaly emphasized that:

Ghaly also talked about the travel advisory issued last week. It is not a ban, but the state is discouraging non-essential out of state travel.

For those that do travel out-of-state (or have guests from out-of-state), California is asking them to do a 14-day self-quarantine after returning to the state (or after their guests leave). This is especially true when traveling to places with a higher rate of transmission, including in the middle of the country. Ghaly encouraged Californians to stay local, perhaps keeping travel within a two-to-three-hour drive.

The state plans to issue additional guidance on wearing a mask and other ways people can protect themselves and others as more activity moves from outside to inside as the weather gets colder.

LATEST COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS

There were 9,890 new COVID-19-positive cases in the most recent reporting period the seven-day average is 8,198 cases.

There is a 4.6% positivity rate over the past 14 days, up 1.4% in those two weeks the 7-day rate is 5%. This compares with a national rate of 9.8%. But, Newsom said, the rate of increase is still alarming.

There has been a 48% increase in COVID-19-positive hospitalizations over the past 14 days. There are currently 3,852 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in California, which makes up 5% of the state's capacity. He noted that there are other states where more than 50% of the state's hospital capacity is being used by COVID-19 patients.

There has been a 38.8% increase in COVID-19-positive admissions to ICU beds in the past 14 days. They occupy 13% of the state's ICU beds, with 20,707 ventilators still available.

The state is currently at an average of 164,345 COVID-19 tests being conducted per day. There were 202,000 tests conducted in the most recent reporting period.

NEWSOM APOLOGIZES FOR GOING TO FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AT RESTAURANT

Ahead of questions from reporters, Newsom apologized for going to a friend's 50th birthday party. It was outdoors at the French Laundry restaurant in Napa, which was in the orange restriction tier. He gathered with a number of other couples.

The event started at 4 p.m., but Newsom said that he arrived a little late at 4:30 p.m.

"As soon as I sat down at the larger table, I realized it was a little larger group than I had anticipated. And I made a bad mistake," Newsom said. "Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up, and walked back, got in my car, and drove back to my house."

While it may have been OK under the county guidelines, Newsom said, he knows it wasn't in the spirit of where the state is at with COVID-19. He said that he needs to practice what he preaches, and added that he's been at three dinners outside the household since the pandemic began. Two were with just his wife this was the first with those from other households, Newsom said.

JANUARY BUDGET: CALIFORNIA REVENUE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED

The state has taken in $11.4 billion more in revenue than expected, and that in the January budget proposal, Newsom said that supporting California's businesses will be a top priority. Newsom said that he will be working with the new Biden administration and Congress on a new stimulus to support both individuals and small businesses.

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LA Will Ramp Up Enforcement Of Coronavirus Restrictions, Begin Testing At LAX - LAist