Jacob’s Journal – Weekly News Rewind (07/05-07/11)

LA Clinicians Rush to Vaccinate Community as Delta Variant of COVID Spreads

Wednesday, July 7 (CBS Los Angeles) – On Wednesday, Bell Gardens Veterans Park clinicians said the push to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19 is more important than ever, as the number of Delta variant cases increases. The variant is spreading rapidly across Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health said. It now makes up about half of cases in the area. Health officials said nearly 60% of residents in the county are fully vaccinated, but four million residents are not yet vaccinated. The also said the virus continues to spread and mutate, and there’s a concern whether it can be carried and transmitted by vaccinated people. The county reported eight new COVID-19 deaths and 515 new cases on Wednesday.

COVID-19 Cases Steadily Climb Across Los Angeles

Wednesday, July 7 (Patch.com) – Health officials in Los Angeles County began promoting a community-outreach program to raise awareness of infection control, as new COVID-19 infections surpassed the 500 mark on Wednesday. Daily infections have risen over the past two weeks, with more than 600 new cases reported on Saturday, while hospitalizations have also increased. Eight new deaths were reported as well. The countywide death toll for the pandemic rose to 24,514.

The county Department of Public Health has launched its COVID-19 Community Ambassador Program and urged residents to participate to help prevent and slow the spread of the virus. Nearly 3,000 residents have completed training in the program. Meanwhile, cases of the Delta variant continue to rise, as it’s become the most dominant variant in the county. More than 10.4 million doses of the vaccine have been administered here, but the weekly pace of vaccinations has slowed from 500,000 doses per week in the winter/spring to 60,000. The county is running several vaccination sites.

Mask Mandate Returns for California Lawmakers, Staff After COVID Outbreak at Capitol

Wednesday, July 7 (KTLA 5) – Nine people tested positive for the coronavirus at the California state Capitol last week. This includes four individuals who are fully vaccinated. Officials have thus reinstated a mask mandate for lawmakers and staff, including while working in their offices. The new directive applies to the Capitol, Legislative Office Building, and lawmaker’s district offices. Unvaccinated individuals must be tested twice a week per internal memos. The outbreak is among members of the state Assembly and, last week, chief administrative officer Debra Gravert said seven cases were people who worked in the same office. Meanwhile Los Angeles County public health officials urged people to resume wearing masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, but Governor Gavin Newsom is not considering a return to statewide restrictions.

Will Delta Variant Bring New CA Restrictions? Newsom Says It Depends on Vaccinations

Thursday, July 8 (ABC 7) – As the Delta variant now accounts for over half of new COVID-19 cases nationwide, Los Angeles County public health officials recommend everyone wear masks indoors, whether they are vaccinated or not. Governor Gavin Newsom said this isn’t necessary statewide if more people get vaccinated. Cases of the Delta variant have increased rapidly in the state (doubling in a week), while variants are fueling the rise in cases in Los Angeles County, according to health officials, while 4 million residents in the county are still unvaccinated. Officials say there were 245 Delta variant cases confirmed last week, but the number cannot be extrapolated across the population.

Columbus Goalie Matiss Kivlenieks Died of Chest Trauma From Fireworks Accident

Monday, July 5 (NBC Los Angeles) – Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, 24 died due to chest trauma from a fireworks blast, a medical examiner in Michigan determined following an autopsy. According to police, the mortar-style firework tilted and fired toward people nearby on Sunday, while Kivlenieks was in a hot tub. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Police previously believed he had slipped and hit his head while attempting to escape. Team officials and NHL players expressed their thoughts and condolences following the news, which came on the eve of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in Montreal. The Latvian Hockey Federation said Kivlenieks’ death is a loss for the Latvian nation, where he represented Latvia this spring at the world hockey championship. Kivlenieks signed with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in May 2017 and was seen as a possible No. 2 goaltender for next season.

Illegal Fireworks Launched From Downtown LA Parking Lot Explode on High-Rise Balcony

Tuesday, July 6 (NBC Los Angeles) – During the Fourth of July, illegal fireworks launched from a parking lot in downtown Los Angeles triggered an explosion on a balcony of a high rise building above Hope and 12^th streets. The fire, which was captured on video, was quickly extinguished, according to a witness, by the time firefighters responded to the incident around 10:40 p.m. No injuries were reported and witnesses said the people who launched the fireworks fled in their cars. No arrests were reported.

Woman Killed in Crash on 101 Freeway in Cahuenga Pass

Monday, July 5 (NBC Los Angeles) – A woman in her 40s was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the 101 Freeway in the Cahuenga Pass on Monday morning. Reported before 5:00 a.m. on the southbound side at the Pilgrimage Bridge, the crash involved a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which struck the woman according to authorities. The California Highway Patrol said the 22-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and suffered minor cuts to his hands. The fatal crash was preceded by another three-vehicle crash after which the woman existed her vehicle to check for damage. All lanes of the freeway were reopened by 9:40 a.m.

Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Head-On Collision on 91 Freeway in Anaheim; 2 Left With Major Injuries

Tuesday, July 6 (KTLA 5) – A wrong-way driver was killed Tuesday morning after entering the 91 Freeway in Anaheim and experienced a head-on collision. The crash left another driver and passenger injured. It was reported at about 1:15 a.m. after a westbound Dodge Dakota pickup entered eastbound lanes from the Harbor Boulevard offramp. The collision with a Honda Accord, occupied by a male and female, occurred almost immediately after, according to the California Highway Patrol, which revealed the female driver of the dodge was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the Honda were transported to a hospital with major injuries.