Coronavirus In California: What To Know Tuesday, June 16
CALIFORNIA — Weeks after Californians celebrated Memorial Day and began to gather in the streets to protest police violence, coronavirus cases and hospitalizations appear to be holding steady, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.
The rate of positive tests for COVID-19 has remained around 4.5% over the last two weeks, Newsom said. Hospitalization rates also remain stable, with more than 3,700 intensive care unit beds open statewide.
Still, coronavirus cases are on the rise in some parts of the state. As of Monday, nine counties were being monitored for spikes in COVID-19 cases or hospitalizations, according to the state department of health.
For reasons ranging from large gatherings to outbreaks in nursing homes, elevated disease transmission or hospitalization is now occurring in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura counties, the state says.
"We are, by no stretch of the imagination, out of the woods," Newsom said Monday.
All nine counties except Imperial have been approved for variance plans, allowing them to reopen faster than the state.
The state said it is working with local health departments to develop plans to address areas of concern, including adding contact tracing and ramping up testing.
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State passes budget ahead of coronavirus cuts
The state Legislature on Monday Passed a new budget for the next fiscal year, expecting a $54 billion deficit caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Calmatters reported.
This bill is only a placeholder budget and was passed without Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature. That's because the state has yet to figure out how much tax revenue it will bring in this year; how much aid it will get from the federal government; and whether it will make a $14 billion cut to schools and safety net programs, as Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed, or make smaller cuts and hope for federal help, as the Legislature wants.
The governor and legislators will need to agree upon a final budget by Friday, before the Assembly will recess for the summer.
164 state parks reopen to visitors
Californians looking to escape the tumultuous news cycle can now find refuge in any of the 164 state parks that have reopened to the public, including parking lots.
In April, Gov. Gavin Newsom temporarily closed all beaches and state parks to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Now, as the state reopens, dozens of the state's 280 parks are welcoming back visitors, but with new limitations.
The state encourages people to visit the webpage of the park they plan to visit before heading out, since many have limited parking and other new guidelines in place.
View the full list of reopened parks here.
There were more than 2,118,700 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States and 116,250 deaths as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. At least 5,116 of those deaths were in California. The U.S. has the most confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in the world.
Who has been diagnosed with coronavirus in California?
Total number of cases (Johns Hopkins University): 155,733 as of Monday morning
Total deaths reported (Johns Hopkins University): 5,116 as of Monday morning
Case breakdown by age, per the California Department of Health (totals may be outdated):
Age 0-17: 10,451 cases
Age 18-49: 81,943 cases
Age 50-64: 33,871 cases
Age 65 and older: 24,981 cases
Unknown/Missing: 206 cases
Gender of confirmed positive cases:
Female: 74,350 cases
Male: 76,412 cases
Unknown: 690 cases
The latest live updates from across California are as follows:
Tuesday, 9:22 a.m.: Reinstate Mask Mandate In Orange County! Union Leaders Say
Union, business & Faith leaders call on county officials to reinstate Orange County's mandatory mask rule, reversed last week.
Tuesday, 8:54 a.m.: Schools Allowed To Hold In-Person Classes In San Diego County
Public, charter and private schools in the county may hold in-person classes starting Tuesday, as reopenings continue throughout the region.
Tuesday, 8:23 a.m.: St. Paul's Pilots Roving Clinic To Serve Seniors Amid Coronavirus
"We needed something that could bring the medical necessities and the doctors and nurses to our participants."
Monday, 7:20 p.m.: Half Of LA Restaurants Audited Fail Coronavirus Protocols
Health Officials visited 2,000 reopened restaurants, and found that 1,000 struggled to implement the required measures to keep people safe.
Monday, 6:01 p.m.: Restrictions Loosen At Los Angeles County Beaches
Group fitness, including volleyball, are still not allowed at beaches. Masks or face coverings are still required.
Monday, 5:46 p.m.: Monterey Bay Restaurant Reaches Settlement After Being Charged With Defying Covid-19 Orders
LeTowt said he lost $60,000 during the month and a half his restaurant was closed and contended that the risk was low.
Monday, 3:28 p.m.: Ferry Service Resumes From Richmond
As the Bay Area gradually reopens from coronavirus closures, traffic is picking up and ferry service has resumed.
Monday, 3:08 p.m.: 2020 U.S. Open Of Surfing Canceled Over Coronavirus Fears
The surfing competition is scheduled return to Huntington Beach next summer.
Monday, 12:27 p.m.: San Diego Continuing Education To Offer Free Online Programs
San Diego Continuing Education is preparing a selection of free online professional certificate programs to assist people with job training.
Monday, 11:49 a.m.: Photos: Culver City High School's Drive-Thru Graduation
Culver City High School's class of 2020 was celebrated in a drive-thru graduation event.
Monday, 10:41 a.m.: COVID-19 Hotspots Found At South Bay Construction Sites: Report
Three sites have been shut down at the Health Department’s request according to a report in The San Jose Mercury News.
Monday, 10:30 a.m.: Santa Monica Schools Reopening Plan Still Underway
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District officials are creating a plan for fall 2020 and expect to release more information in July.
Monday, 9:08 a.m.: Coronavirus Cases Swell In CA Nursing Homes With Poor Track Records
California nursing home residents, already vulnerable to neglect, now face the ravages of coronavirus with fewer eyes on their safety.
This article originally appeared on the Across California Patch
