Supervisor Begs L.A. Residents To Stay Home For The Holidays

LOS ANGELES, CA — With hospitals overwhelmed with an influx of coronavirus patients following Thanksgiving gatherings, a county supervisor is pleading with Los Angeles residents to cancel holiday plans and stay home. Supervisor Hilda Solis pointed to "skyrocketing" case numbers as she spoke to the county, restating the urgency of the moment.

"Collective action is needed now to stop the dangerous assault COVID- 19 is inflicting in our communities. This past week, the county of Los Angeles reported the highest number of new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths since the beginning of the pandemic," Solis said. "In the First District of Los Angeles County, there have been over 154,723 positive cases of COVID-19 total -- the most out of all five supervisorial districts."

ICU capacity remains at zero percent across Southern California, a reflection of capable staffing more-so than the number of actual beds. Dr. Brad Spellberg, chief medical officer at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, recently said the hospital is "getting crushed" from the burden, and noted how its more than just coronavirus patients who are at risk of subpar medical care due to the strain.

"It isn't just COVID patients," he said. "It's car accidents and heart attacks and victims of violence. They need a place to go to receive critical care. We can only react. We cannot stop the spread. We need the public to listen to these mitigation strategies to slow the spread or we will completely run out of beds."

While speaking to Los Angeles residents, Solis reminded the community that the vaccine will not be widely available for multiple months. In the meantime, she again urged everyone to wear masks, social distance, wash their hands and avoid gatherings.

"As we near Christmas, I urge everyone to cancel their holiday plans to gather with members outside of one's households. This will save many lives," Solis said. "I recognize that the holidays will look different and it is frustrating, but modifying plans is critical for this pandemic not to extend more than it already has. Staying home with only your household will ensure more people can ring in the New Year from their homes and not a hospital bed."

City News Service contributed to this report.