L.A. County hits record low of positive COVID-19 tests

[TomCADem]

Source: LA Times

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County, which was among the hardest-hit by a deadly coronavirus surge, reported a record low number of new cases Monday as California's overall figures continued to plummet.

The county of 10 million reported under 1,000 new daily cases — back to numbers not seen since before the fall and winter surge — and the daily rate of COVID-19 tests that were positive averaged about 3% over seven days compared to about 20% in early January.

“That’s actually the lowest its ever been since we’ve been offering testing in the community,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.

While the number of new cases could be lower because of a lag in weekend reporting, Ferrer said overall the county is moving in a positive direction. She said people appeared to have heeded social distancing and other safety measures designed to reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/l-a-county-hits-record-low-of-positive-covid-19-tests/ar-BB1e8hu5?ocid=hplocalnews

---

This is amazing because the same time last year, COVID cases were rising not falling. We still have some California cities with Republicans who continue to push right wing anti-mask talking points, plus Republicans who seem to be trying to encourage people to get sick in order to generate momentum for a recall of Newsome, but it does help having Biden as a President who is not actively pushing disinformation on COVID-19.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-25/san-clemente-city-council-sent-home-after-councilwoman-refuses-to-wear-mask

San Clemente City Council sent home after councilwoman refuses to wear mask

A San Clemente city councilwoman sparked some controversy when she refused to wear a mask during a meeting.

Councilwoman Laura Ferguson was the only council member not wearing a mask during San Clemente’s Feb. 16 meeting, which was the first time the council had met in person for months.

The in-person part of the meeting didn’t last long. The council was sent home to reconvene the meeting on Zoom after Mayor Kathy Ward called Ferguson out for not wearing a mask.

“We have one council member who doesn’t have a mask on,” Ward said. “I am going to ask you to put a mask on and if you aren’t going to, you have the option of going home and we will wait for you to go home and you can Zoom into our meeting.”

[Nixie]

1. K&R!

[winstars]

2. Its the 3% positivity rate thats key. Less people are getting tested but 97% are negative...

I don't think these low figures are due to vaccinations, yet...

I think by April 1 the larger and larger numbers of vaccinations and more importantly, the high risk people who are getting vaccinated will start to make a real difference with this nightmare...

[TomCADem]

3. Trump encourages Americans to 'gather' in Thanksgiving proclamation despite coronavirus surge

I wonder to what extent is the decline in cases simply due to not having a President who is actively encouraging people to attend rallies, not wear masks and gather together, because this same time last year, cases were rising toward an April peak.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/527683-trump-encourages-americans-to-gather-in-thanksgiving-proclamation

President Trump issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to gather “in homes and places of worship” ahead of Thanksgiving, even as his successor and public health officials have urged people to practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings during the holidays to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings,” he said in the proclamation, which is custom for presidents to issue marking holidays, on Wednesday.

The comments from the White House come as public health experts have advised Americans to stay home amid a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases and warnings that the pandemic could get much worse during the holiday season.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised against attending crowded parades, large indoor gatherings and crowded stores in an effort to slow the outbreak. The agency also advised against traveling last week as cases rise nationwide.

[winstars]

4. Having an adult POTUS definitely helps!!!