LOS ANGELES – Southern California, including Los Angeles County, will fall under sweeping new health restrictions Sunday night due to the rapidly increasing number of hospitalizations from the coronavirus, authorities said.
A state-mandated “regional stay-at-home” order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, triggered when intensive-care unit bed availability remained below 15%, according to the California Department of Public Health.
The 11-county Southern California region’s available ICU capacity was 12.5% Saturday, a decrease from 13.1% the day before.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that the Southern California region could meet that 15% trigger within days. The Southern California region consists of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
The stay-at-home order will be in place for three weeks and will bar gatherings of people from different households. Regions will be eligible to exit from the order on Dec. 28 if ICU capacity projections for the following month are above or equal to 15%.
Under the order, the following businesses/recreational facilities will be forced to close:
— indoor and outdoor playgrounds;
— indoor recreational facilities;
— hair salons and barbershops;
— personal care services;
— museums, zoos, and aquariums;
— movie theaters;
— wineries;
— bars, breweries and distilleries;
— family entertainment centers;
— cardrooms and satellite wagering;
— limited services;
— live audience sports; and
— amusement parks.
Schools with waivers will be allowed to remain open, along with “critical infrastructure” and retail stores, which will be limited to 20% of capacity. Restaurants will be restricted to takeout and delivery service only. Hotels would be allowed to open “for critical infrastructure support only,” while churches would be restricted to outdoor only services. Entertainment production — including professional sports — would be allowed to continue without live audiences.
Some of those restrictions are already in effect in select counties.
On Saturday, Los Angeles County reported 8,949 new cases of COVID-19 and 44 additional deaths, the highest one-day total of new cases yet. Hospitalizations continued rising at record levels, with 2,769 county residents hospitalized with the virus as of Saturday, the highest amount of the entire pandemic.
Fatalities are also trending upward: Two weeks ago, the county’s average number of daily deaths was 21. The county has now logged a total of 439,408 cases of the coronavirus and 7,886 deaths.
“This week, almost 49,000 people tested positive for COVID-19,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “We can anticipate based on our experience, that 10% of newly infected individuals are likely to require hospital care a couple of weeks from now. That translates to close to 5,000 patients, and if even 20% of these patients need care in the ICU, they will require 1,000 staffed ICU beds. This is our likely reality in two weeks.”
Ferrer continued: “And if we all can’t get behind the existing directives to stay home as much as possible and avoid all non-essential activities and places where you are likely to be in contact with non-household members, we are likely to bear witness to one of the worst health care crises our county has seen in our lifetime. The reality is we can still prevent the continued increases in people suffering and dying if we focus all of our collective will on doing what we know how to do; this is the time to take care of each other, and to always wear a face covering and keep a physical distance of at least 6-feet when outside and around others.”
Officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said the county’s Health Officer Order will be modified to align with the State Regional Stay Home Order to prevent crowding and mingling among non-household members and overwhelming the local health care system.
Newsom said the new order is “fundamentally predicated on the need to stop gathering with people outside of your household, to do what you can to keep most of your activities outside and, of course, always … wear face coverings, wear a mask.”
The governor also noted that the state still has a travel advisory in place recommending against non-essential travel and urging people to quarantine when they return to the state.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s Health and Human Services secretary, acknowledged there is no real mechanism for enforcing such a travel restriction, but the state will rely on public cooperation.
“We believe that really emphasizing this is what we hope our citizens will do because their communities are at particularly high risk, their hospitals are having difficulty keeping available ICU beds open, that people will restrict their travel statewide,” he said.
The state’s full stay-at-home order can be read at: https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12.3.20-Stay-at-Home-Order-ICU-Scenario.pdf
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Kevin says
… until this election rigging business finally gets swept under the rug, they want you on lock-down –
Debbie says
And, you have to be in bed, 10:00 pm sharp. Governor Newsom says, you can’t get out of bed, before 5:00 am. Or, he’ll have his ANTIFA buddies drag you out behind the five ‘n dime, flog the Republican out of you.
Claire says
Says the sheep Bub and Debbie that hang on to every lie Trump feeds you.
Your Principal knows you says
When you read some of these comments, remember it’s the “teenager brain” writing them no matter how old the author is.
“But why can’t I stay out past midnight?”
“But why can’t I drink alcohol. It’s a free country, right?”
“But why can’t I do whatever I want?”
Yep, that’s your typical 17 year old brain talking. Yes, the “sheep” want to be free. That’s why there are Border Collies.
Loam says
So anyone that wants to color outside the lines must be forced back into compliance? You offer a very dark view of democracy.
The Principal knows you, Loam. says
So, Loam, you are a “runaway sheep”?
Thanks for letting us know.
Loam says
Ha, I asked a question. The vitriol you demonstrate does not actually act as a discussion point; exactly the opposite.
Why do you label people as “sheep” if they simply want to do something other than what you say?
Bub says
Border Collies = Pelosi, Schif, Newsom, Garcetti, Waters, Feinstein, Harris, Schumer, the Clintons, the Obamas.
Keke says
Don’t forget our new masters of the universe, Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex.
Dee Looshunal says
You can throw Rex in there, too. He thinks Bangladesh is going to disappear in his lifetime and he thinks Joe Biden is going to save our species.
Claire says
Say the sheep Loam and Bub that hang on to every lie Trump feeds you. Q is the place you go to eat your food.
The Principal knows you, Loam. says
Sheep = The Trump followers. The Blind Trump followers who need “Guide” Border Colliers.
What will become of the poor things when Trump is off to a New York state prison?
They are helpless and hopeless without a crazed leader. They certainly won’t listen to one with any sense nor intelligence. That’s not their way.
Reform says
I, I, I, me, me, me. To all the self-centered super spreaders, don’t go to the hospital if you get sick; the doctors, nurses, and anyone in the medical field that risk their lives don’t want to deal with your individual right to party.
The doctor is in says
Exactly. You said it best. If they want to party and get infected with COVID, let them drink bleach like Trump recommends.
Stacy says
Unless your an ANTIFA looter. Then, it’s okay. You don’t have to be on lock-down. You’re welcomed go to the hospital if you stub your toe, or break a nail.
Bradley says
… and, if you’re a democrat, then it’s okay! Party all you like; go to any restaurant you desire.
not a sheep says
Gavin can bite me. I am not a sheep. Why is it ok to go to Walmart etc. with more people there and I can’t have other people over for Christmas. Gavin needs to go!
Sylvia Robles says
You’re not a “sheep”, but I bet you can’t wait for those Q drops, and for Trump next rally, and for OAN/Newsmax to tell you how to think and feel.
“Not a sheep” my ass!!!
Claire says
Bingo, Sylvia!
Duh says
…and just like that, the sheep gave up their right to freely move about. WHY NOT take everybody’s rights away? No cares enough about them to resist. America is just a bunch of pussies, our founding fathers would be so proud.
Kevin says
Imagine if Trump GOP types were around in 1940s London during the Nazi blitzes:
**Everyone must black out your lights**
GOP: “Ill turn on my lights extra bright thank you. Its a free country you scared liberal wusses!”
Mel says
People were compliant in those times, less resistant to orders, and willing to do something for the good of all. Now they are self-centered and belligerant.
Fuchetall says
Uh DUh, seems you were in front of a computer instead of out having fun. Guess that makes you part of the bunch. hahahahaha
What's in a name such as Duh? says
Duh, why aren’t you happy, happy in your “man cave”? Remember when that was a “thing” but being ‘merican means you gotta oppose everything even if it’s for your own good and the good of others.
If the governor told you to go out and shop/drink/dine you’d be here kvetching “They can’t tell me what to do.”
You’re predictable and that makes you a machine on auto. Is this the coming automatation we’ve been warned about…people such as yourself? We should put you in a factory in China making phones…like a machine.
Divorced Parent says
What if you’re divorced and share custody? It’s two different households, can I not go pick my kids up and bring them to my house to spend time with me?
Blake says
LOL no one will be listening to this. People will still be traveling. People will still be having parties for Christmas. I’m sure the governor will not be following the orders. I know I am still having our party. Gavin can bite me.
Loam says
Dear City News Service:
“will bar gatherings of people from different households”
What does this mean? Is there a criminal fine for talking to my neighbor? Can my daughter not see her boyfriend except at the grocery store? Will the police stop me if I go into my office job? Will I be arrested of Sam comes over the clean my carpets?
How does the State plan to impose separation of households during Christmas? Will they be patrolling residential streets looking for merriment or Christmas carolers? Or are we being instructed to hold our Christmas parties at Walmart, because that is legally acceptable to the powers-that-be?
Me says
Dinner will be held on isle 4 and desert will be isle 15 and go to toys to grab ur gift …
Laughing says
LMAO!
Laughing says
Guess I need to come up with a new moniker since someone else keeps using Laughing.
Have fun with it.
Jenn says
Very clever questions. This is America, do whatever you want. Just don’t bother going to the hospital if you get sick with Anything because there won’t be a bed for you.
another name for dirt says
He intends to, just doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to do it all by himself, so he’s recruiting the selfish and weak-minded to join him.
Kiki says
No one Will listen everybody will have a Christmas party yay
another name for dirt says
Feel free. The Darwin awards will be delivered in place of participation ribbons.
Loam says
But that’s not the rules from the state government. There is no choice. You cannot portray it as a choice when we are not offered that kind of bargain. There is no opt-out clause in anything the government does.
We make drugs legal and then provide housing and necessaries when people lose their job and become homeless.
People who smoke still get cancer treatments.
People who drive while drunk still get medical treatment when they crash.