Governor orders reopening rollback

Some businesses in Los Angeles and 29 other counties are being asked to close indoor operations again, to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Among those that had already been asked to close are: Restaurants, wineries, movie theaters and family entertainment, zoos and museums and cardrooms. Bars were directed to close all operations.

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the following to close all indoor operations, as well: Fitness centers, places of worship, offices for non-critical sectors, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops and indoor malls.

The following counties are being impacted: Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Yolo, Yuba and Ventura.

“We have to work together to crush this curve and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Newsom said via his Instagram account. “Remember, your actions can literally save lives. Limit mixing with people outside your household. Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Practice physical distancing.”

The governor and Los Angeles County Mayor Eric Garcetti have been posting to their social media accounts daily, instructing the public to wear their masks, wash their hands and help flatten the curve.

However, their pleas don’t seem to be having an effect, as Los Angeles County Health Director Barbara Ferrer reported 2,593 new cases in Los Angeles County, bringing the total to 136,129. In addition, she reported 13 additional deaths, bringing that total to 3,822. Of the 13, all were over the age of 65 and nine had underlying health conditions. Of the total number of deaths, 93 percent had underlying health conditions.

The racial make-up of those who have died is: 46% Latinx, 26% White, 16%% Asian; 11% Black, less than one percent Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 1% that identified as another race.

As of July 11, Lancaster has 901 cases and 21 deaths; Palmdale has 1,056 cases and 23 deaths; Acton has 427 cases and two deaths; Agua Dulce has 361 cases and no deaths; Elizabeth Lake has 301 cases and no deaths; Lake Hughes has 150 cases and no deaths; Lake Los Angeles has 686 cases and two deaths; Leona Valley has 800 cases and no deaths: Littlerock has 821 cases and no deaths; Littlerock/Juniper Hills has 231 cases and no deaths; Littlerock/Pearblossom has 1,177 cases and no deaths and Llano has 228 cases and no deaths.

In addition, Long Beach reported a total of 5,388 cases and Pasadena reported 1,517. There are 807 confirmed cases affecting the homeless population, of that figure, 288 have been referred to isolation and quarantine sites.

Ferrer said most of the deaths were reported in residential and congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

There are currently 3,252 cases in the jails, with 2,929 among inmates and 323 among staff.

A total of 1,338,806 tests have been done, with 9% of those testing positive.

Ferrer said the seven-day rolling average of deaths is going down, but there have been 1,765 deaths in skilled nursing homes.

The average daily deaths are also decreasing, but she pointed out that as more people become infected, the death rate will likely rise, as well.

“We’ve flattened the curve before, and I know we can do it again,” she said.

She reminded everyone to stay home as much as possible and avoid crowds, confined spaces and close contact with those outside the household and to wear face coverings when out in public.

“If we continue to make these adjustments, we’ll see a decrease in hospitalizations, cases and deaths,” Ferrer said.