As Golden State faces a triple risk of respiratory hazards – destructive wildfires, toxic air quality and deadly epidemics – there is a vague glimmer of hope.
In the last seven days, only% ..% of COVID-19 tests in California returned positive, the lowest rate since the state began reporting data in late March. A month ago, the positive test rate almost doubled.
The number of newly confirmed cases has come down since mid-June, according to a Times analysis of state data. With 2,869 patients in hospital beds on Saturday, the number of hospitals for Covid-19 has dropped to lower levels since the beginning of April.
These positive signs are due to the fact that California reduces the time for coronavirus tests. Acting State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pane said last week that laboratories now deliver test results in an average of 1.3 days.
Officials are cautiously optimistic about California’s progress against the state’s epidemic near the end of the state’s sixth month of stay-at-home orders. They urged residents to be vigilant and exercise caution: wear face masks in public, immediately observe social distance with anyone outside the home, and stay home whenever possible.
Officials said there are two factors that could reduce the rate of positive tests: a decrease in testing during wildfires and a delay in questions about whether the transition from labor day gatherings has increased.
It can take up to two weeks for the human body to absorb the coronavirus. California saw a spike in post-Memorial Day weekend cases, hospital admissions and deaths, including holiday rallies, graduation parties, massive protests over police brutality and the reopening of bars that were later reopened.
Health officials are “very anxious to figure out” whether gatherings, parties and other activities in the recent three-day weekend, which ended a week ago, will lead to more intensification in cases, which are then followed by more hospitalizations and even more deaths. Causes, ”said Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
“We’ve, in fact, challenged somewhat about getting good data because we’ve both had extreme heat and we’ve had a fire that has also created unhealthy air conditions.” “Which led, unfortunately, is a much lesser test.”
The ash and smoke from the Bobcat fire was so strong that LA County was forced to temporarily close some test sites in the San Gabriel Valley. But, Ferrer said, most test centers are open. She urges residents to be tested if they have experienced symptoms of COVID-19, or if anyone has had, or worked with, a workplace or a home.
Meanwhile, Southern California officials are watching with interest and caution as San Diego and Orange Counties slowly begin to reopen businesses inside. Both counties have received state approval to reopen The restaurant has dining rooms, museums, movie theaters and places of worship At 25% capacity.
Last week, Los Angeles County reported 9.6 transmissions per 100,000 residents. Before News can allow restaurants, theaters and other important businesses to reopen, it must fall below seven per 100,000 for two consecutive weeks.
For now, no LA County School campus will be allowed to reopen to all K-12 students until at least November. Nevertheless, schools will be allowed to offer individual classes for children with special needs, provided that the campus does not have more than 10% of business students.
“Public health officials have received applications from individual schools to reopen students who cannot be served virtually,” Ferrer said.
