KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A total of 144 coronavirus, COVID-19, cases have been reported in Los Angeles County, with no new cases in Santa Clarita, as of Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
In a press conference, L.A. County Public Health officials and Supervisor Kathryn Barger discussed a moratorium on evictions as many workers face wage shortages, as well as assistance to small businesses in the county.
“Today, L.A. County is standing together — but six feet apart,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis.
A total of 50 new cases have been reported across the county on Tuesday; however, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital officials have confirmed there are no new cases in Santa Clarita.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, said testing capabilities countywide have increased, with new cases expected to rise in the next two weeks.
“Every day we increase our capacity to do more testing here in the county,” Ferrer said.
Ferrer discussed the need for self-quarantine and social isolation, adding, “If you can stay home, please do so.”
“If you are out and about, please practice social distancing,” Ferrer said. “It is up to the people to keep their distances.”
The medical director encouraged anyone who is stressed out or anxious about the changing coronavirus situation to reach out to mental health professionals.
See Related: Third Case Of Coronavirus COVID-19 In Santa Clarita Confirmed
Supervisors have followed suit with Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order halting evictions, and county officials are also offering assistance for utilities such as water and power.
“We recognize that this is a difficult time and we are committed to working with you,” said Barger. “We are working past regulatory hurdles and barriers to ensure assistance is there truly when the people need it.”
Solis said the moratorium will take effect retroactively from March 4 until May 31. During that time, evictions and commercial evictions are not expected to be allowed in the county. Rent is still due, but tenants are set to have six months after the end of the period to pay back rent.
The county is working with the Small Business Association (SBA), which has secured about $7 billion in loan assistance to local businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We don’t want any businesses to fall through the cracks,” Barger said.
Many small businesses operate month to month, according to the supervisors, with this recent downturn in shoppers creating a large downturn in revenue.
“Use common sense and understand that the good intentions that we are putting in play are for the safety of everyone,” said Barger.
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management has been activated to respond to the coronavirus outbreak across the county.
Emergency management officials encouraged residents to check in with elderly neighbors and family members to ensure they have the supplies they need.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, the county director of health services, encouraged social distancing to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Ghaly urged residents to “seek care responsibly,” call their primary doctor first and save emergency room resources for those in severe need.
Hospitals across the county are preparing for an expected influx of patients by discharging those who are able and increasing staffing, according to Ghaly.
See Related: Santa Clarita Residents Offer Helping Hands To Neighbors During Coronavirus Outbreak
There are 23,000 hospital beds across Los Angeles County, with 2,200 ICU beds. Only 152 ICU beds are available as of Tuesday afternoon.
Across the county, 450 beds are available, with hospitals working to “flex” beds from surgical to medical, adding additional beds.
Ghaly noted the cancelation of about 160 blood drives in Southern California creating a blood shortage in the region.
There is no evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by blood, but Ghaly encouraged anyone displaying symptoms to remain home.
“We have world-class facilities across the county; they are prepared for situations such as these,” said Ghaly.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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Hi, there are videos out from China that document step by step when the virus started!! One of the main things they did to stop the spreading is manufacturing over 100,000 face masks in 1 week!!! WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED FACE MASKS!!! If we don’t get them by this week we will be looking at millions of Americans with the virus. Please please please can you start the conversation, it’s been over a month and still no face masks!!
China is the main manufacturer of both surgical and n95 masks used in the USA. In case you hadn’t noticed.. they stopped manufacturing stuff.
People in the general population in the USA have been hoarding the available masks to the point where hospitals do not and me enough to protect their workers. We actually had to lock ours up bc visitors were stealing them. The public needs to stay home and self quarantine and let the healthcare workers have the available masks. If we get sick, no one will be there to help YOU.
I completely agree with you I also work in healthcare and we too had to lock up our masks and other ppe items people need to give those to the healthcare workers who need plus those people out there do not even know how to properly use them
So…wait. What? CDC says follow their recommendations for face mask use? THEY ARE NOT RECOMMENDING FACE MASKS BE USED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. How is this a recommendation?
No, the general public is not to be blamed for the mask shortage. Hospitals are responsible for having their own sources and storage of medical supplies, especially something as basic as masks. They would not be purchasing masks from a general site where the public would buy from. Besides, most people purchased masks from home improvement stores, drug stores and even Walmart, for heaven’s sake.
The fact that hospitals are critically low on on masks is b/c the lack of planning for disaster or other emergency situations.
And sorry to break it to everyone, but 152 ICU beds isn’t going to cut it. Just look at Italy. Research what healthcare providers are going through…making make-shift ICUs for the thousands of patients requiring intensive care. It’s not only ICU space that is seriously inadequate…more inadequate are the number of ventilators available.
I’m passing this on:
surgical mask for the ill
N95 mask for the well
Get creative and make your own masks using high filtration whole house filters
Be sure to use protective eye wear too, since this virus can enter through the eyes (but haven’t mentioned this, have they?)
Masks should of been available for the general public from the beginning. MASKS WORK IF THE CORRECT MASK IS USED CORRECTLY.
I contacted the CDC over a month ago, asking if they were aware that there was a shortage of masks and what was being done to counter this. Never heard back…not a peep.
I don’t mean to sound like I know the solution, but I do know a few things about how best to protect oneself from becoming infected.
~40 year healthcare professional, retired
I want a face mask!!!
I will continue to post this on all KHTS reports posted about COVID-19 until the general population understands the gravity of this. I learned today that if my husband and daughter, who have compromised immune systems, get this virus they will need chemotherapy to recover. While everyone thinks this is being blown out of proportion, think of those people and the elderly. As people who think this is a joke or not serious continue to walk about the community and not practice simple precautions, they are potentially exposing more susceptible people to serious risks. Stay home if you can. The longer people are out and about for no reason, not practicing safe health measures, the longer it will take for the virus to go away. That means business closed longer, the virus staying around longer, more people being infected and less time to come up with solutions. Staying in, when possible, for a few weeks to stop the spread is not unreasonable, but also neccessary. What we do now will make a huge impact on what happens over ther next few weeks.
People need to be aware of other things they can do to avoid catching the virus other than isolating themselves. For example: the D2 supplements as well as vitamin C to build the immune system. Saline nose drops will help moisten the nasal passage which will help build a barrier to keep viruses out. Something else that seems to be keeping people from getting the virus is Selenium in their system. I read that eating 2 Brazil nuts a day will give a person enough selenium to ward off coronavirus. If more people know about these measures then it wouldn’t matter how many masks there were or beds in the hospitals.
Great suggestions, Jerri. I’d like to add another supplement:
Elderberry for healthy immune function: syrup, capsules or tablets
I don’t believe that supplements are the only answer…self isolation and the correct use of the correct mask, as well as protective eye wear, is a must if you are in public or around others. Since there seems to be no supply of masks for the general public, then self isolation,/staying at home is SO SO important.
Just a reminder about masks:
If you’ve been able to acquire masks before the shortage, please know that you must wear the appropriate mask: an N95 mask for those who are NOT sick, and a surgical mask for those who are ill (to protect their family members or those immediately around them).
YouTube has many videos about the proper application and removal of the mask so you don’t contaminate yourself with it.
Stay well, neighbors.
Everywhere around the world having the same issue. The number of infected people increases exponentially. We hope the antivirus for this should come as early as possible.
Unfortunately, this virus will just have to run its course. Vaccines will not be available until next year, and that is on a accelerated path. The reality is that our current course of isolation will ultimately slow transmission but this also means we will likely be dealing with it until the end of the year. This is necessary to save lives but will be painful for everyone. There will be many lessons learned and we will be prepared next time, but if we are going to get through this we need to all do our part to minimize the impact by doing what the government says, not panic, and change our lifestyles temporarily. We have natural borders in this valley and we can be less impacted than the rest of California if everyone just does what they are supposed to.
We must FLATTEN THE (VIRAL) CURVE!
I just lost my job because of this pandemic. It is very frustrating & depressing.