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Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Pfizer announced its COVID-19 vaccine was found to prevent infections in children between the ages of 12 and 15.
Los Angeles County public health officials reported 648 new cases of COVID-19 and 40 related deaths Wednesday. There are currently 638 people hospitalized with the virus in L.A. County, with 25% receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Pfizer announced Wednesday it will seek emergency use authorization for the use of its COVID-19 vaccine on school-aged children. In a study of more than 22,000 participants, fully vaccinated adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 did not develop a case of COVID-19. — CBS Los Angeles
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer told reporters Wednesday that Los Angeles will reach 80% vaccine coverage among residents 16 and older over the next 12 weeks, according to data provided to the Department of Public Health by the federal government. But for that to happen, the county would have to receive 500,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine each week. — Deadline
Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla wrote a letter to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, calling on the agency to keep the federally run vaccination sites at the Oakland Coliseum and California State University, Los Angeles open, as both locations are set to close on April 11 after completing an eight-week pilot program. “In particular, we ask that you provide the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the counties of Alameda and Los Angeles with financial and logistical support so they can take over operations, and that the federal government continues to send the sites direct shipments of vaccine doses,” the letter states. — MyNewsLA.com
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Application Period Opens for L.A. City Rent Relief Program
Los Angeles County was allowed to move into the orange tier in the state’s reopening plan Tuesday, but county officials tap the break and aim for April 5 to roll back restrictions.
Los Angeles County public health officials recorded 386 new cases of COVID-19 and 26 related deaths Tuesday. There are 649 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, and 27% of them are receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
State officials announced Los Angeles County qualified for the orange tier in California’s reopening blueprint Tuesday. The announcement came about a week ahead of schedule, as state guidelines require counties remain in their respective tiers for at least three weeks before moving to a less restrictive tier. L.A. Couty will have been in the red tier for three weeks as of April 2, but county officials have elected to wait until April 5 before they begin rolling back restrictions. “This allows the county to follow the state guidelines and wait until we’ve completed three weeks in the red tier to be sure that our case numbers do not rise this third week since our earlier reopenings,” said County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. — Patch
Orange County was also given the green light to move into the orange tier Tuesday — and county officials there have opted to enact orange-tier business guidelines starting Wednesday. The move will increase capacity limits for restaurants, movie theaters, churches, museums, zoos and aquariums from 25% to 50%. Fitness center capacity is also eligible to be increased from 10% to 25%. — CBS Los Angeles
L.A. renters can now apply for financial assistance through the city’s $235.5 million rent-relief program. To qualify, applicants must live in the city, and someone in their household must have faced financial hardship due to the pandemic. Applicants must also have an annual household income that is at or below 50% of the area median income. All renters are eligible regardless of immigration status. The application period closes at 11.59 p.m. on April 30. Click here for more information. — Los Angeles Times
For the second year in a row, San Diego Pride will be a mostly virtual affair, according to organizers. The parade and festival, which usually take place in July, are the region’s largest civic event, attracting more than 350,000 visitors annually with an economic impact of $26.6 million. This year’s online pride celebration will take place July 17 in conjunction with “smaller, COVID-19 compliant and scalable in-person satellite events across San Diego County.” — Los Angeles Times
Monday, March 29, 2021
Health Officials Warn COVID-19 Vaccine Scams Are on the Rise
California theme parks will be able to operate some indoor rides as long as guests are lined up outdoors, per the state Department of Public Health.
Los Angeles County public health officials reported 378 new cases of COVID-19 and seven related deaths Monday, warning that the low figures may reflect a reporting delay. To date, the L.A. County Department of Public Health has identified 1,218,583 cases of COVID-19 and 23,084 deaths. There are 655 people hospitalized with the virus in the county, with 27% receiving intensive care. — Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Scams relating to the COVID-19 vaccine are on the rise, according to L.A. County officials. “If someone offers to sell you an appointment to be vaccinated, it’s a scam,” said Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer for the county Department of Public Health. “If someone offers to sell you a vaccine, get you a low-cost deal or get your vaccine under the table, again, it’s a scam.” Simon said residents should remember that the COVID-19 vaccine is free, and everyone in the state who is 16 or older will be able to reserve an appointment to be vaccinated starting April 15. — Fox Los Angeles
President Joe Biden announced Monday that the number of pharmacies where people can get a COVID-19 vaccine would more than double by April 19. By that point, according to the president, 90% of U.S. adults would be eligible for a shot, with the remaining 10% becoming eligible after May 1. “We’re in a life-and-death race with a virus that is spreading quickly,” he said, urging states to stop rolling back restrictions on public gatherings. — Los Angeles Times
California theme parks will be able to operate some indoor rides as long as guests are lined up outdoors, according to newly released guidelines from the state Department of Public Health. Once they reopen, theme parks will also be required to mandate that all guests and workers wear face coverings except when eating or drinking. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia announced plans to reopen April 1, while Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park plan to reopen at the end of next month. — Los Angeles Times