Mayor Garcetti warns of 'darker daysâ as COVID-19 surge continues in LA By Alexi Chidbachian article SANTA MONICA, CA - DECEMBER 15: A patient surved a code blue and then was rushed to ICU to be intubated and be placed on a ventalator inside Providence Saint John's Health Center on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 in Santa Monica, CA. (Francine Orr / Los Ange Expand LOS ANGELES - As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Los Angeles County and throughout California, it’s having a major impact on hospital staff as the surge threatens to overwhelm emergency departments and intensive-care units. The dramatic coronavirus surge has health officials continuing their plea for residents to heed warnings to avoid gatherings and continue social distancing and mask-wearing.