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County Officials Concerned about Available ICU Beds

Some still not observing social distancing requirements

Published on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | 6:25 am
 

There are twice as many LA County Coronavirus cases as there are available intensive care unit (ICU) beds, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor, Janice Hahn.

The Department of Public Health has now identified 409 confirmed cases of COVID-19, across all areas of Los Angeles County. There just 200 available intensive care unit beds countywide.

Around the country medical experts have been calling for more beds and ventilators as the crisis deepens.

“I am very concerned. We have a limited number of ICU beds available in L.A. County,” Hahn said, who urged residents to heed social-distancing orders to reduce infection rates and strain on medical resources. “I would like to begin exploring every possible solution to increase the capacity of our hospital system, including building pop-up hospital sites.”

Cases in Los Angeles County this weekend surged as the county saw its biggest one-day jump so far.

According to health officials, 71 more cased were confirmed and two more people died due to complications with the virus.

Locally, according to the Los Angeles County Health Department, three people in Altadena have tested positive for the Coronavirus.

This the first time Altadena numbers have been reported.

Pasadena and South Pasadena also have three cases, respectively. Nearby Arcadia has two cases.

“We are deeply sorry for the passing of loved ones and send our

prayers to the families and friends of those who have died from COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. “It is critical that everyone practices social distancing, obey the Safer at Home Health Officer Order and assume that anyone can have COVID-19, and anyone could

unintentionally infect others. Please know that the actions you take today to stay six feet away from others and limit all non-essential activities outside your home are the best way for us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives.”

Meanwhile some continued to ignore calls for social distancing.

On Saturday, people were out and about in Santa Monica and Malibu.

“Today is not the day to go to the beach,” said Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole in a statement. “We urge our residents to avoid any public spaces where social distancing is a challenge.”

Santa Monica also closed its beach parking lots. All parks, trails and facilities owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy have been closed to the public until further notice.

Malibu officials tweeted, “The city of #Malibu is receiving reports of people enjoying the outdoors in Malibu. The county order requires that social distancing (six feet between people) be practiced while outdoors.”

In a live-streamed remote news conference, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that in consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the city is closing the Venice boardwalk, beach parking lots and all organized group sports.

He reminded people to keep practicing social distancing, to stand at least six feet away from others. It’s a technique, he said, that will not only keep you safe but it will protect your love ones and others as well.

Garcetti also told people not to take risks with their health.

“Seriously people, you need to practice social distancing. I am

seeing tons of people out there acting like there’s no crisis. You could be carrying the virus, have no symptoms, and be responsible for the illness or worse of others,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia tweeted. The city then closed

sports facilities in city parks and beaches and asking the community to not gather in open spaces.

Garcetti also said the city will launch a portal to be rolled out in

the next couple of days designed to test the most vulnerable Angelenos — 65 and over with underlying health conditions who are showing coronavirus symptoms. These residents will be prioritized to be tested, and will need to be able to prove identification to get those tests.

The city, he said, has ordered masks for medical personnel and the city’s first responders.

The county’s public health department issued a revised “Safer At Home” order Saturday, which officials said was a step below a lockdown or shelter-in-place requirement. The previous order prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people, but the revised wording simply prohibits “all indoor and outdoor

public and private gatherings and events.”

People who go out for shopping or essential jobs are required to

remain at least six feet away from anyone else. Residents are still free to go outside for walks, hikes or bike rides, but not in large groups.

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