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 prepares to pass budget ahead of coronavirus cuts
The state Legislature on Monday was poised to pass 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 will be 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 final budget will need to be passed by Friday, when 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 2,096,900 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the United States and 115,755 deaths as of Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. At least 5,099 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): 152,357 as of Monday morning
Total deaths reported (Johns Hopkins University): 5,099 as of Monday morning
Case breakdown by age, per the California Department of Health (totals may be outdated):
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Age 0-17: 10,184 cases
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Age 18-49: 80,348 cases
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Age 50-64: 33,357 cases
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Age 65 and older: 24,762 cases
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Unknown/Missing: 204 cases
Gender of confirmed positive cases:
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Female: 73,095 cases
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Male: 75,088 cases
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Unknown: 672 cases
The latest live updates from across California are as follows:
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
