Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
Come for Your Eye Exam, Leave With a Band-Aid on Your Arm
Dentists and optometrists across the country are trying to join in the fight to get everyone vaccinated against COVID-19, the flu and other diseases. (Rachel Bluth, )
More State Restrictions Likely Coming Today: Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected today to announce a tougher response to a surge in coronavirus infections that includes at least a three-week cutback on nonessential services and businesses and renewed stay-at-home restrictions affecting most Californians. Read more from Capitol Weekly and The Bay Area News Group.
‘It’s Not Good’ In San Francisco, Mayor Warns: San Francisco Mayor London Breed provided a sobering update on the coronavirus pandemic Tuesday and said the city will need to take "more restrictive action" this week to temper the explosion of coronavirus cases. New health protocols could come as early as today. "Let me be clear, it's not good," Breed said. Read more from SF Gate, the San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times.
Below, check out the roundup of California Healthline’s coverage. For today's national health news, read KHN's Morning Briefing.
More News From Across The State
CNN:
UK Becomes First Western Country To Approve Covid 19 Vaccine For General Use
The United Kingdom has become the first Western nation to approve a Covid-19 vaccine, a landmark moment in the coronavirus pandemic that paves the way for the first doses to be rolled out across the country next week. "Help is on the way," Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced Wednesday morning, after UK regulators granted emergency authorization for a vaccine made by US pharma giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. (Reynolds and Isaac, 12/2)
Stat:
Health Workers, Long-Term Care Facilities Should Get Covid-19 Vaccine First, CDC Advisory Panel Says
A committee that advises the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to recommend that health care providers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities be at the front of the line for Covid-19 vaccine. The recommendation must still be accepted by CDC Director Robert Redfield. (Branswell, 12/1)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Hospitals Likely To Be First Local Recipients Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Kern public health officials are planning to give local hospitals and health-care systems a "prominent role" in administering the county's initial supply of COVID-19 vaccinations once they become available, likely bypassing pharmacies and doctors offices until doses become more plentiful. If approved by state officials, the strategy would put the county's initial supply of vaccines in the hands of relatively few organizations, potentially making it easier to limit access to people identified as being at greatest risk of infection. (Cox, 12/1)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Pfizer And Moderna COVID Vaccines May Leave Some With Brief Chills, Aches And Fever
With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines fast approaching, San Diegans who’ve participated in Pfizer’s and Moderna’s clinical trials have a few words of advice for the front-line health care workers and long-term care facility residents who’ll be among the first to get these vaccines. You might feel fine after your shot, but you could also feel achy. Or feverish. Or exhausted. These are common vaccine side effects, and generally mean your immune system is kicking into gear. And while the symptoms may be a bit stronger than those of your typical flu shot, they will pass. (Wosen, 12/1)
AP:
CDC To Shorten COVID-19 Quarantine To 10 Days, 7 With Test
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is set to shorten the recommended length of quarantine after exposure to someone who is positive for COVID-19, as the virus rages across the nation. According to a senior administration official, the new guidelines, which are set to be released as soon as Tuesday evening, will allow people who have come in contact to someone infected with the virus to resume normal activity after 10 days, or 7 days if they receive a negative test result. That’s down from the 14-day period recommended since the onset of the pandemic. (Miller, 12/2)
Los Angeles Times:
California COVID-19 Cases Break Daily Record Again
Los Angeles County recorded a dramatic one-day rise in coronavirus cases Tuesday, shattering the single-day record and confirming some of the most dire forecasts about infections spreading ferociously as the holiday season gets underway. The surge in cases renewed worries about how the healthcare system will handle a crush of new patients, with some hospitals already approaching capacity. The numbers put more pressure on state and local officials to enact a tougher stay-at-home order in hopes of slowing the spread. Officials feared the Thanksgiving holiday period would bring a flood of new cases, and there are growing concerns the spike is far from over. (Money, Lin II and Oreskes, 12/1)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
San Diego County Residents Lost To COVID-19: 1,000 And Counting
It began March 22 with news that a San Diego County resident in his early 70s had died in a Santa Clara hospital of COVID-19.The death was reported with a banner headline on the front page of The San Diego Union-Tribune, along with information that the county had banned all gatherings at parks and beaches. That was just the 30th death in California at the time. (Warth and Sisson, 12/1)
Orange County Register:
Orange County’s Rate Of Coronavirus Cases Is Headed Past Summer Highs
Orange County’s skyrocketing rate of coronavirus cases has propelled it to new pandemic heights as state officials this week sounded the surge alarms and health care systems brace for impact. A state Department of Public Health update Tuesday, Dec. 1, showed that Orange County has about 22.2 new cases of the virus reported per day per 100,000 residents, up from 18.7 cases per 100,000 on Saturday. (Wheeler, 12/1)
Sacramento Bee:
What To Know About New California COVID-19 Workplace Rules
More than eight months into the pandemic, California officially has rules in place aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces. The emergency rules will be in effect at least until late May. The standards board of Cal-OSHA may extend the period and could also work to make those rules permanent. Here’s what to know about the new rules. (Park, 12/2)
Los Angeles Times:
Officials Face Backlash As Anger Over COVID-19 Shutdowns Intensifies In Some Quarters
With coronavirus cases soaring to dangerous new levels in Los Angeles County, some top officials are facing backlash over their push to slow the surge by restricting public activities. On Sunday, protesters marched in front of the home of Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. Days later, a handful of people gathered outside Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s house in Santa Monica. (Seidman and Cosgrove, 12/1)
Sacramento Bee:
Antibodies Show US COVID Cases Can Be Traced To December 2019
Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collected 7,389 blood samples from routine donations to the American Red Cross between Dec. 13, 2019 and Jan. 17, 2020.Of the samples, 106 contained coronavirus antibodies, suggesting those individuals’ immune systems battled COVID-19 at some point. A total of 39 donations carrying coronavirus antibodies came from residents in the western states of California, Oregon and Washington and 67 samples from the more eastern states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. (Camero, 12/1)
Bay Area News Group:
California Officials Urge U.S. Supreme Court To Leave Coronavirus Restrictions On Churches In Place
The California State Attorney General’s Office has filed a 40-page response with the U.S. Supreme Court opposing an effort by a Pasadena-based church to remove restrictions on worship services in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Days after the Supreme Court barred restrictions on religious services in New York, California state leaders argued that their own local restrictions are needed to limit virus transmission and are proportional to the risk posed by specific worship activities. (Emery, 12/2)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Active COVID-19 Cases Soar In San Diego County Jails Among Staff, Inmates
The novel coronavirus is surging through San Diego County jails, with active infections jumping almost 70 percent in the past week, according to the latest numbers released by the sheriff’s department. At least 161 people — 125 inmates and 36 county workers — are now sick with COVID-19, the department website reported late Monday. One week earlier the web page showed 95 active infections. (McDonald and Davis, 12/1)
Modesto Bee:
Two Deputies File Complaint As Coronavirus Outbreak Grows At Stanislaus County Jail
Almost 100 inmates and staff at the Stanislaus County jail have tested positive for the coronavirus, as authorities deal with a growing outbreak. The Sheriff’s Department is also facing criticism in a complaint that it’s not following its own protocols and mitigation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 illness. Authorities reported last week that 25 inmates and eight staff members were infected with the virus in a minimum security area of the jail facilities on East Hackett Road. The numbers have grown to 75 inmates and 24 staff members who have tested positive, Sgt. Tom Letras said Tuesday. (Carlson, 12/2)
Los Angeles Times:
Latinos In L.A.'s San Fernando Valley Staggered By COVID
In Los Angeles County, a COVID-19 hotbed, five of the 25 communities with the highest infection rates are in the northeast San Fernando Valley — in areas that are home to large numbers of “essential” workers at prime risk of infection and include ZIP codes with high rates of crowded housing. Some are plagued with pollution and are encircled by three bustling freeways, a railroad line and dozens of industrial facilities, as well as a power plant that for three years had been leaking methane. (Vives, 12/1)
Southern California News Group:
Disneyland Lays Off More Than 11,500 Employees, State Records Show
Disney will lay off more than 11,500 Disneyland and Disney California Adventure employees as the company continues to struggle with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the eight-month closure of its Anaheim theme parks. Disney announced 8,724 layoffs of Disneyland union employees due to continuing business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, known as the WARN Act. Disney filed the WARN Act notifications on Oct. 29 with the union layoffs set to take effect on Dec. 31. (MacDonald, 12/2)
Orange County Register/San Gabriel Valley Tribune:
Flight Attendants Rally For COVID-19 Relief Package As Stimulus Talks Continue
Dozens of furloughed flight attendants converged on Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, urging Congress to fast-track a COVID-19 relief package to keep them afloat. The workers, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, were furloughed Oct. 1 amid an ongoing lag in air travel as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. They work for United, American, Hawaiian, Alaska and a host of other airlines. (Smith, 12/1)
SF Gate:
San Francisco Mayor London Breed Also Dined At French Laundry
Gov. Gavin Newsom isn't the only one who couldn't turn down an invitation to a birthday party at the French Laundry amid a global pandemic. The San Francisco Chronicle broke the story Tuesday that Mayor London Breed attended a similar affair at the much-lauded restaurant in California's Napa Valley the night after the governor. (Graff, 12/1)
San Bernardino Sun:
San Bernardino County Stops Sending Ambulances To All 911 Calls As Coronavirus Surges
San Bernardino County emergency dispatchers have stopped sending an ambulance to all 911 calls, a strategy that’s lightening their load as coronavirus-related calls surge. Instead, people whose symptoms appear consistent with COVID-19 or the flu but who do not appear to need hospitalization are being visited by paramedics without an ambulance, said Steve Tracy, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department. The new policy started Friday afternoon, Nov. 27, he said. (Hagen, 12/1)
Sacramento Bee:
How Former NBA Arena In Sacramento Can Be Used As Hospital
If local hospital beds fill up substantially due to the current surge of coronavirus activity, doctors and nurses may soon start treating patients at the former home of the Sacramento Kings. In a relatively unique arrangement established months ago, parts of Sleep Train Arena and its adjacent practice facility in Natomas were refashioned in spring as an emergency hospital (formally, an “alternate care facility”) for COVID-19 patients. That includes intensive care unit beds, which are dwindling in supply statewide, that have remained in standby status at the arena for months. (McGough, 12/2)
Los Angeles Times:
Kauai Requires COVID-19 Quarantines Or 'Bubble Resorts'
Hawaiian officials are stiffening restrictions on travelers to Kauai, requiring nonessential visitors to the island to quarantine for 14 days, starting Wednesday. That move, prompted by rising U.S. infection rates, sets Kauai apart from its Hawaiian sister islands, where visitors can avoid quarantine by testing negative for COVID-19 before boarding flights to the islands. (Details vary by island.) (Reynolds, 12/1)
Bay Area News Group:
Starbucks Will Give Free Coffee All Month To Health Care Providers, First Responders And More
With COVID-19 cases on the rise nationwide, Starbucks is offering free cups of appreciation to health care employees, hospital staffers, police, firefighters and other “front-line responders” this month. From now through Dec. 31, employees in those categories with a valid employee ID may receive a free tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) any day at all company-owned stores and many licensed outlets. (Zavoral, 12/1)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Adventist Health Offering Free Childhood Immunizations Clinics This Month
Adventist Health Bakersfield will be offering free childhood immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases at the following sites in December: All sites will be in Bakersfield and open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. (12/1)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Doctor Surrenders License After State Board Says He Injured Woman During Abortion
A doctor who worked at FPA Women’s Health clinics surrendered his California medical license after the state medical board alleged gross and repeated negligence. One patient went into cardiac arrest at a hospital and had her uterus removed, after the doctor attempted to perform an abortion where he couldn't see what he was doing, according to state medical board documents. Donald Clyde Willis agreed to surrender his medical license, effective Nov. 25. As a part of his agreement, Willis admitted to the allegations brought forth by the board. (Gallegos, 12/1)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Grant From Bank Of America Helps BC Launch Early College Public Health Program
Bakersfield College received a $56,000 grant from Bank of America to help launch a new pilot project for students in BC’s Early College Public Health Program. According to a news release from the college, the new pilot program will educate teens for careers in Public Health to help fill the demand in the fast-growing field. The project has been developed in partnership with The Centric Foundation and is focused on addressing health related issues and career pathways in communities of need, the news release stated. (12/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
CIF Pushes Back Resumption Of High School Sports Amid Coronavirus Surge
The return of high school sports in California — which was expected next week with the first football practices of the coronavirus-altered season — has been pushed back to next month, and possibly later, as officials await additional guidance from the state. The California Interscholastic Federation — the state’s governing body for high school athletics — also announced Tuesday that all “Season 1” sports will not have Northern California or state championship games. Among the sports that involves are football, cross country, field hockey, and gymnastics. (Lerseth, 12/1)
Fresno Bee:
Start Of California High School Sports On Hold. CIF Blames Lack Of State Health Guidelines
High school sports – both practice and competition – won’t start until January at the earliest, the California Interscholastic Sports Federation wrote in a statement late Tuesday afternoon. The rise in positive coronavirus cases throughout the state has forced the California Department of Public Health to put off any guidance on youth sports until next month. Until those guidelines are released, all sports are on hold. (Lopez, 12/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
S.F. Bans Tobacco Smoking Inside Apartment Buildings, Allows Cannabis Smoking
San Francisco residents who live in apartment buildings with three or more units will no longer be allowed to smoke tobacco inside their homes — but they can still smoke cannabis, under a new ordinance the Board of Supervisors passed on Tuesday. The board voted 10-1, with Supervisor Dean Preston dissenting. San Francisco is now the largest city in the country to ban tobacco smoking in apartment buildings. (Thadani, 12/1)
Orange County Register:
Hundreds Of Thousands Of Customers Brace For Power Shutoffs Because Of Santa Ana Winds
Hundreds of thousands of customers throughout Southern California are at risk of having their electricity turned off this week as local electric companies brace for what are anticipated to be stronger Santa Ana winds than last week. As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Southern California Edison notified about 240,000 customers across eight counties that they are under consideration for a public safety power shutoff, said SCE spokesman David Song. Of those notified, 28,089 are in Los Angeles County, 21,053 are in Orange County, 57,394 are in Riverside County and 59,522 are in San Bernardino County. (Wilson, 12/1)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Air District Strongly Discourages Residents From Burning Wood
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is reminding Central Valley residents that current outdoor conditions are not conducive to burning wood. In a news release sent Tuesday, the air district said air is expected to remain cold, dry and stagnant throughout the week, which causes high particulate matter pollution emissions to build and, in turn, higher pollution concentrations throughout the Central Valley. The regional warning includes the Frazier Park area of Kern County, the air district said. (12/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
S.F. Police Union Clears Way For Civilians, Not Cops, To Respond To Non-Violent Calls For Help
The president of San Francisco’s police union has signed a letter of intent with the city that clears the way for non-sworn service providers — instead of police officers — to respond to calls involving mental health, homelessness and other non-violent issues. The document itemizes 17 types of calls for service in which police union officials agree civilians could be the primary responders. This list includes homelessness and quality of life calls, non-criminal mental health calls, juvenile disturbances, public health violations, traffic congestion, parking violations and dog complaints. (Cassidy, 12/1)
Los Angeles Times:
L.A. Times Sues For Records On Abuse Claims At ICE Centers
The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, seeking the release of records detailing allegations of widespread sexual abuse and harassment at immigration detention centers. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Los Angeles followed a recent Times investigation that uncovered hundreds of allegations by detainees in California of violence and abuse. Few of the allegations resulted in criminal charges, a lack of accountability that fostered unchecked violence within the facilities. The Times was also among several outlets that reported on the alleged forced sterilization of over a dozen women at a detention center in Georgia. (Castillo and Zou, 12/1)
Los Angeles Times:
Actors Sue Union Health Plan Over Loss Of Insurance
Changes made to a union health plan will make it harder for thousands of actors and performers to retain their medical insurance, a new lawsuit alleges. A group of SAG-AFTRA members sued the union’s health plan and its board of trustees for breach of fiduciary duty and other claims, according to the complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday. The lawsuit was sparked by a series of changes made to the health plan this summer as trustees faced rising healthcare costs brought on by the global pandemic as well as financial pressures caused by the industry shutdown. (Sakoui, 12/1)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Convention Center Shelter Set To Close, Hundreds Moving Out Next Week
About half of the 900 homeless people sheltered at the San Diego Convention Center are scheduled to move out of the venue and into permanent homes next week with the remainder expected to leave the following week, a city official said Tuesday. San Diego Housing Commission President and CEO Rick Gentry said the city finalized the purchase of two extended-stay hotels last Wednesday, and 400 people now at the Convention Center’s Shelter to Home program will begin moving in next week. (Warth, 12/1)
Capital Public Radio/KXJZ:
Sacramento Mayor Says City Warming Centers Should Open Immediately Following Repeated Calls By Homeless Advocates
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said Tuesday he plans to request the city immediately open warming centers for unhoused individuals as overnight temperatures drop to the mid-to-low 30s. The mayor’s comments come after advocates for homeless residents made numerous calls in recent weeks to open the facilities — and after one homeless man died in the cold two weeks ago. “Tonight, I’m going to call for the city of Sacramento, I hope in collaboration with the county, but no matter what under any circumstances, that we open warming centers here in our city,” Steinberg told CapRadio. “Because the weather is getting colder and I believe it is the humane thing to do.” (Nichols, 12/1)
San Francisco Chronicle:
S.F. Will Not Close Any Hotels For The Homeless This Year. But Uncertainty Is Still Ahead In 2021
San Francisco has pulled back on a plan to close hotels for the homeless this month, but the news has done little to curb the uncertainty that many residents still face in 2021. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing originally planned to close seven hotels — where about 500 people live — by Dec. 21. But after receiving about $10 million in state assistance, the department said in a tweet and an internal email this weekend that it would extend that timeline. But it’s unclear by how much. (Thadani, 12/1)