Hospitalizations and Rates of Transmission of Coronavirus Continue to Decline in L.A. County
Thursday, August 12 (KTLA 5) – According to health officials, coronavirus hospitalizations and rates of transmission continue to decline in Los Angeles County. On Wednesday, 2,428 new cases were confirmed, with 58 fatalities, which was higher than usual due to a backlog of data. Also, 1,538 people were hospitalized, down from the 2,232 hospitalizations reported on July 20. The three-day average of daily hospitalizations declined from 2,000 in late July to 1,600. The county is still under a variety of restrictions, while modeling indicates a decline in people who are infectious. However, county officials have been expanding testing in higher risk communities hit hardest by the virus.
Uber, Lyft Threaten to Shut Down in CA If Court Upholds Ruling Forcing Them to Treat Drivers as Employees
Thursday, August 12 (KTLA 5) – Following a recent judicial order to classify drivers as employers, Uber and Lyft are threatening to appeal the decision and shut down in California. In a statement to MSNBC, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshashi said the company would shut down if the ruling holds and a stay until November isn’t ordered. Lyft co-founder and President John Zimmer made a similar statement on Wednesday reported by CNBC. The company also revealed a profit loss of $437.1 million for the second quarter, down 61% from last year, as the number of active riders declined. However, Lyft CEO Logan Green revealed rides were up 78% in July over April, after the launch of a commercial delivery service.
2 Adults, 5 Children Injured In Crash On 110 Freeway In Downtown Los Angeles
Thursday, August 12 (CBS Los Angeles) – The Los Angeles Fire Department reported seven people were hospitalized following a crash on the southbound 110 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. A 27-year-old woman and three girls, aged 6 years, 3 years, and 8 months, were taken to local hospitals in critical condition, according to the LAFD, and a 34-year-old woman, 10-year-old girl, and 11-month-old girl were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Two additional individuals were evaluated at the scene. The cause of the crash or number of vehicles involved was not immediately known.
L.A. Is Working with Experts to Accelerate Research on Rapid COVID-19 Testing, Mayor Garcetti Says
Thursday, August 12 (KTLA 5) – On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a plan to accelerate research into a rapid, at-home COVID-19 test. While such a test has yet to receive FDA approval, a group of medical experts, bioscience firms, and government leaders have been convened by the city to begin the research. The mayor said rapid testing could help identify outbreaks more quickly; allow daily testing of students, teachers, and workers; and that the city will dedicate funding for manufacturing the tests. The announcement follows several violations of bans on parties, particularly among young people, which are helping to spread coronavirus.
Pregnant Woman Struck By Car, Killed In Anaheim
Tuesday, August 11 (CBS Los Angeles) – A 23-year-old woman, who was 35 weeks pregnant, was struck by a car and killed Tuesday night on Katella Avenue in Anaheim. The collision occurred near Bayless Street just after 7:30 p.m. according to police, when a car jumped the curb and hit her while she was walking on the sidewalk. The baby is in critical condition. Investigators believe the driver, a 40-year-old woman, may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and has two past DUI convictions. She was driving on a suspended license.
Driver Crashes Stolen Car Into Light Pole During Pursuit in Simi Valley
Tuesday, August 11 (KTLA 5) – On Tuesday, a stolen vehicle chase ended when the driver crashed into a light pole on Cochran Street in Simi Valley. The pursuit started in Sun Valley at around 7:00 p.m. Police found the 2020 Honda Civic had been reported stolen after running its plates and began pursuing the vehicle near the intersection of San Fernando Road and Wicks Street. The crash occurred about a half hour later when the driver struck the concrete pole, causing it to break off the base and snap in half. Based on aerial footage, the car was significantly damaged and the air bags deployed. The injured driver emerged from the vehicle and waved to helicopters above, before being detained by police.
Los Angeles Bus Fatally Hits Skateboarder and Keeps Driving
Monday, August 10 (The Mercury News) – After striking and killing a skateboarder early Sunday morning, the driver of a Los Angeles Metro bus continued driving for 10 more miles. A sheriff’s deputy pulled the bus over in South El Monte, almost a half hour later. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) determined the incident, which occurred in the City Terrace neighborhood of East Los Angeles, was not a hit-and-run collision. A witness reported the 26-year-old man slammed into the side of the bus and was run over as it began moving through an intersection. The county coroner’s office identified the man as Peter Timoteo Smith Padilla of Pomona.
Orange County Officials Declare August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day
Wednesday, August 12 (CNN.com) – In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, Orange County’s Board of Supervisors declared August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day. The choice of date honors the numbers Bryant wore, 8 and 24, while playing for the NBA, said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Michelle Steel. Bryant was killed, along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven others, in a helicopter crash on January 26. He was an 18-time All Star and, during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, won five NBA championships.