Los Angeles Coronavirus Update: Hospitalizations Hit 4th Record High In Past Week As Test Positivity Rate Jumps, As Well

Alexandra Del Rosario Associate Editor/Nights & WeekendsThe Los Angeles County Department of Public health announced 2,645 new COVID-19 cases and 51 new deaths on Saturday. The department shared that it anticipates receiving a backlog of lab reports from the state in the coming days.The latest update sees dips in new cases, deaths and current hospitalizations when compared to Friday’s update.

Bruce Haring pmc-editorial-managerThe federal Drug Enforcement Agency has charged former Los Angeles Angels director of communications Eric Kay with supplying the drugs that killed pitcher Tyler Skaggs last year.Skaggs was found dead in his Texas hotel room from choking on his own vomit after ingesting a lethal mix of alcohol and the painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorJust yesterday, California officials said that a a technical glitch in the state’s reporting system has resulted in an undercount of new coronavirus cases.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorLos Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday announced the city was taking action against those who throw large parties.He called recent gatherings of mostly young people in the Hollywood Hills and Calabasas “flagrant violations of health orders.”“While we have already closed all bars and nightclubs, these large hour parties have essentially become nightclubs,” said the mayor.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorExpressing cautious optimism about the success of efforts to control the coronavirus, L.A.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorA coronavirus outbreak has hit USC’s fraternity row, where about 40 people tested positive for COVID-19, USC Student Health’s chief health officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman told the Los Angeles Times.“A significant number of the cases were associated with four fraternity houses,” Van Orman said.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has filed a request to extradite Harvey Weinstein, as it seeks to try him on five counts of sexual assault and rape.The D.A.’s office had previously filed a detainer on New York State prison authorities, the first step in a process that has been slowed considerably by the coronavirus pandemic.

Kim Kardashian was spotted in public on Saturday, for the first time since husband Kanye West issued a public apology to her on Twitter days after using the platform to make controversial claims against the reality TV star.Kim Kardashian was seen driving around in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon, hours after her husband's apology on social media.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing Editor“Two weeks ago,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, “I stood before you at one of these briefings and said that the virus was taking control from us and that we needed to take back control from the virus. And that message tonight has not changed.”But, said the mayor, “We have some small, hopeful signs that reflect our resilience.”On Friday, Los Angeles County reported one of its lowest recent daily totals of new coronavirus cases.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorRising coronavirus cases and fatalities remain concerning — with four dozen more deaths confirmed today. As a result, the Los Angeles County Health Department announced new enforcement measures on Thursday designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to the a county health official.Health inspectors have continued to conduct compliance visits to to ensure infection control measures are in place at businesses.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing Editor“We need to assume that COVID-19 is everywhere right now,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at his Wednesday Coronavirus briefing.He reported 3,266 new coronavirus cases in the region for a total of 164,870 cases. That means the 7-day average of daily new infections has more than doubled in the past month.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorOn Wednesday, Los Angeles Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer reported 3,266 new coronavirus cases in the region for a total of 164,870 cases. Ferrer said the 7 day average of daily new infections has more than doubled in the past month.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorTwo days after California Governor Gavin Newsom ok’d it, Los Angeles County is allowing barbershops, hair and nail salons and some related personal care services to reopen under modified rules. Read them here.Services must be provided outdoors.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorThe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a proposal to facilitate worker-led “health councils” to monitor business compliance with public health orders.Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Mark Ridley-Thomas co-authored a motion recommending that the county reach out to labor and business leaders and quickly agree on effective ways to monitor compliance with mandates to wear facial coverings, install protective shields and disinfect

Two men and two teens have been charged in the death of rising rapper Pop Smoke, who was killed during a Los Angeles home-invasion robbery in February, the district attorney’s office said Monday. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement that Corey Walker and Keandre Rodgers were charged with murder that occurred during the commission of a robbery and burglary.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorLos Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti began his Friday coronavirus news conference by reminding residents, “This threat is real. This threat is growing.” He emphasized that Angelenos need to wear masks whenever they’re outside.

Tom Tapp Deputy Managing EditorOne day after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned that “We’d likely return to a mandated stay-at-home order” in one or two weeks if coronavirus conditions in the region get worse, the head of Los Angeles County’s Health Department agreed, with some qualifications. “Nothing can be off the table in the pandemic,” said county public health director, Barbara Ferrer.