By Dec. 9 the SoCal ICU capacity dropped to 9% later dipping to 6.2% by Dec. 11.
By Saturday, the ICU capacity available further declined to 5.3%, with a spike down on Monday to 2.7% and 0.5% on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County reported the most-ever cases of COVID-19, with 22,422 coronavirus cases along with 138 deaths, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
“I want to acknowledge that we’re experiencing an explosive and very deadly surge and there’s urgency in our request that everyone does all that’s in their power to slow transmission and prevent additional suffering,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of public health on Wednesday.
The number of available intensive care unit beds has plummeted in Los Angeles County from the continuing influx of hospitalized COIVD-19 patients, with only 92 ICU beds available Thursday countywide, according to data from the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
With about 2,500 ICU beds in the county, that’s an availability far below 1 percent. The county has a population of more than 10 million people.
According to state data, Ventura County clocked in at 35 beds available as of Wednesday, or 3.7 percent of total capacity.
The Southern California region ICU bed availability is less than 1 percent. The state’s stay-at-home order becomes mandatory if the regional percentage dips below 15 percent, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said in November.
Southern California ICU Capacity Drops To 0% Amid Record-Breaking COVID-19 Surge
The Southern California region intensive care unit (ICU) capacity has dropped to 0% Thursday amid a record-breaking COVID-19 surge across the state.
On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health announced that the ICU capacity for the Southern California region is now 0%, down from 0.5% the day before.
“You hear we’re at 0%. That doesn’t mean we have no ICU beds or staff available at all. It means we’re into a surge,” Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday, referring to the first region to reach 0% capacity, the San Joaquin Valley.
This comes at the heels of the most-ever cases recorded in Los Angeles County on Wednesday, with 22,422 coronavirus cases along with 138 deaths, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
COVID-19 Vaccine Arrives as Surge Continues to Overwhelm Hospitals
By Brian W. Carter, Contributing Writer
Published December 17, 2020
The initial allocation of the vaccine in L.A. County is 82,875 doses with two additional allocations expected with the month
AP Photo
“I want to thank the many people who made today possible starting with the scientists and researchers who have shown incredible diligence and ingenuity under the most pressing circumstances, the volunteers who participated in the clinical trials, the production teams who found ways to quickly manufacture this life-saving vaccine, and the transportation teams who have managed the crucial work of getting the vaccine to facilities across the country so that vaccinations can begin immediately,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health.
Last year, food halls were all the rage. A wave of new openings from Minneapolis to Houston heralded a booming niche in the hospitality industry. What used to be touristy rarities have become landmarks of Southern Californian cuisine, we reported back in September 2019.
A lot can change in a year.
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended all expectations for the Southern California food scene. With most indoor dining prohibited, takeout has surged as have food delivery apps. Every day brings new stories of restaurants closing or desperately revising their menus and business models. Food halls face many of the same obstacles.