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Los Angeles County set records Friday for the most new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations for the third time in a single week.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday’s numbers would have been unimaginable just a few weeks ago and called the increase “the greatest threat to life” the city has ever faced.
“We are on the verge of 10,000 cases a day with the numbers that we are seeing this week,” Garcetti said. “Getting this virus under control is a crucial mission for Los Angeles.”
The county reported 8,860 new cases and 2,668 hospitalizations on Friday, according to a news release from the local Department of Public Health.
Los Angeles is projected to reach half a million coronavirus cases by the end of this year, according to Garcetti.
Public health officials are urging residents not to travel this holiday season and stay home if possible.
“Los Angeles County continues to experience a pandemic that is moving in a direction that will cause significantly more suffering and deaths,” Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “As the number of cases and hospitalizations continue to increase rapidly, so will the number of people who will experience serious health outcomes.”
Once 85% of ICU beds are occupied in the Southern California region, Los Angeles County will impose additional closures on some businesses, including personal care services like nail salons and hair salons, and nail centers. family entertainment like zoos and museums.
Garcetti said he expects the region to exceed the ICU’s bed capacity threshold of 85% in the coming days.
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