Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (06/28-07/04)

As Delta Variant Grows More Prevalent, L.A. County Reports Largest Daily Increase in Coronavirus Cases Since April

Thursday, July 1 (KTLA 5) – On Thursday, Los Angeles County reported 506 new infections, the highest daily number since mid-April, while the number of delta variant cases reported doubled to 245. The variant accounted for 44% of all cases sequenced in labs, according to county health officials. L.A. County public health Director Barbara Ferrer said there’s been an upward trend in overall cases since early June, while fully vaccinated people may be getting infected with the delta variant at a higher rate than with other variants. Ferrer provided updates on breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated people, as 0.05% of all vaccinated people have tested positive. From mid-May to mid-June, case rates among Latino, Asian, and white residents decreased, while the case rate among Black people increased in the wake of a lower vaccination rate. About 68% of county residents 16 and older have had at least one dose of vaccine and 59% are now fully vaccinated.

California Releases Statement On Masks After Los Angeles County Changes Guidance

Thursday, July 1 (SFGATE) – The California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week that COVID-19 vaccinations protect against the highly transmissible Delta variant. In Los Angeles County, masking guidelines were updated for all people to wear masks indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status. The World Health Organization also released a statement recommended use of masks. State health officials said unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses, and that the Delta variant accounts for about 15% of cases sampled in California. Based on research, those who’ve had only one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are not as well-protected, while only a small number of infections in fully vaccinated individuals have been reported, and officials say these were mild illnesses.

Local Officials Sound The Alarm Over Another Possible Wave of COVID-19 Infections

Wednesday, July 3 (CNN.com) – As COVID-19 infections have increased again, local officials sounded the alarm ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Cases are surging in Arkansas, where the vaccination rate is among the lowest in the nation, while officials in Los Angeles County warned about a possible new wave of infections despite a vaccination rate slightly above the national average. Los Angeles reported the highest number of cases since April. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said more than 90% of active cases are people who have not been vaccinated. According to a CNN analysis of Johns Hopkins University data, the seven-day average of new cases rose for the sixth-straight day, up 9.08% from the previous week.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of the U.S. population has had at least one dose of the vaccine but, as Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said, the Delta variant could make it harder to reach herd immunity. The Delta variant has spread to all 50 states, said the CDC, and poses a threat to unvaccinated people, according to Levine. Dr. Anthony Fauci said 4^th of July celebrations are OK if people take the proper precautions. Data show the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine protects against variants and provides overall immunity for at least eight months.

Driver Killed When Pickup Crashes Off Overpass and Lands on Freeway in Fontana

Tuesday, June 29 (NBC Los Angeles) – On the morning of Tuesday, June 29, one person was killed when a pickup crashed off a 10 Freeway overpass in Fontana. The fiery crash struck the road below at about 4:00 a.m., killing the pickup driver. The truck crashed through a wall and fence. It then landed in eastbound freeway lanes. The crash also caused a light pole, concrete, and debris to fall onto the freeway from the Sierra Avenue bridge. A crash investigation closed the eastbound side of the freeway for hours.

Crash On 10 Freeway In West LA Leaves One Dead

Saturday, June 19 (CBS Los Angeles) – A multi-vehicle crash on the Santa Monica (10) Freeway in West Los Angeles on Saturday, June 19 resulted in one fatality. The crash, which occurred at about 4:20 a.m. near Bundy Drive, triggered the closure of three of four lanes, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officials said the collision between a pickup truck and blue car happened due to a wrong-way driver, although it wasn’t clear which vehicle was traveling the wrong way.

Ten Injured, Including a Man Crossing The Street, in Van Nuys Crash

Tuesday, June 22 (NBC Los Angeles) – A four-vehicle crash injured 10 people in Van Nuys on Monday night. Eight people were hospitalized, while two others declined treatment, following the accident at the 7400 block of Van Nuys Boulevard. Several victims were in critical condition. Some were freed from the mangled wreckage by firefighters using hydraulic tools. While details of events leading to the crash weren’t immediately available, it included two vehicles that collided before striking cars parked nearby.

Driver Killed in Fiery Crash Into Home in Hancock Park

Friday, June 11 (NBC Los Angeles) – On Thursday night, a driver was killed when their vehicle lost control in Hancock Park, slamming into a garage and causing a fire. Police suspect a case of street racing; LAPD officers responded at about 11:30 p.m. to a report of a traffic collision at the 200 block of S. Rimpau Blvd. A brush caught fire as well, according to police. Firefighters with the LAFD took 15-20 minutes to knock down the fire, while an Urban Search and Rescue Team evaluated the integrity of the structure following the incident. Police also said a little girl was in the room closest to where the vehicle struck the house, but had left the room just before the crash and was not injured.

Mother of Four and Driver Died in Ride-Hailing Car in Crash Caused by Suspected Street Racer

Thursday, June 10 (NBC Los Angeles) – A young mother of four, identified by a family member as Spechelle Pope, died in a fiery crash involving a Dodge Challenger possibly involved in illegal street racing. The crash was reported at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday at 11^th Street West and Rancho Vista Boulevard, said the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The victims were in a Toyota Corolla that burst into flames. Sheriff’s officials say the Challenger was traveling west at a high rate of speed when it struck the Corolla from behind, causing the driver to lose control; the car then hit a light pole and rolled over. The driver of the Challenger abandoned the car and left the scene in a dark blue Infiniti, according to witnesses; the victim’s brother said she was a passenger in a ride-hailing vehicle.