LOS ANGELES — California's coronavirus surge has caused so many hospitalizations and deaths that the numbers brought usually stoic public health officers in major metropolitan areas to pleas — and even near to tears — as they urged people to heed safety rules. Los Angeles County, the nation's largest with...
Real Estate Prices Soar During Pandemic, Climbing 25% in Parts of California
When Colette Barss sold her Seaside home this spring, her new east Garrison-area home had been sitting on the market for about 190 days. She ended up buying it for about $60,000 under asking price. Today, that would be extremely unlikely. The price of real estate has soared across the country since the...
Sacramento Region Moves Under Stay at Home Order Thursday
The greater Sacramento region will be placed under California’s most restrictive coronavirus rules this week because capacity in hospital intensive care units has fallen below 15%. It joins the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions that are already in the strictest category, and several counties in the San Francisco...
Only Half in US Want COVID Shots as Vaccine Nears, Poll Shows
WASHINGTON — As states frantically prepare to begin months of vaccinations that could end the pandemic, a new poll finds only about half of Americans are ready to roll up their sleeves when their turn comes. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows about a...
After Complaints, California Says Playgrounds Can Stay Open Under COVID Order
California changed its rules overnight Wednesday to allow outdoor playgrounds to stay open in regions under strict stay-home orders, apparently swayed by broad criticism that shutting them down would harm children who have few options to safely romp outside. On its website, the state said playgrounds could stay open to...
9th Circuit Sympathetic to Nevada Churches in COVID-19 Fight
RENO, Nev. — A three-member U.S. appeals court panel appeared sympathetic Tuesday to arguments by lawyers for two Nevada churches that say state COVID-19 restrictions treating churches differently than casinos and other secular businesses violate their First Amendment rights. The 9th Circuit panel in San Francisco heard arguments via video...
3 Counties Want Out of Southern California Virus Region
Three counties northwest of Los Angeles want to be separated from the state-designated Southern California region for determining the extent of pandemic restrictions based on the availability of intensive care unit beds. Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties plan to seek approval to create a smaller Central Coast...
‘Route Out’ of Pandemic: UK Gives 1st COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
LONDON — A retired British shop clerk received the first shot in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program Tuesday, the start of an unprecedented global immunization effort intended to offer a route out of a pandemic that has killed 1.5 million. Margaret Keenan, who turns 91 next week, got the shot...
US Regulators Post Positive Review of Pfizer Vaccine Data
WASHINGTON — Documents released by U.S. regulators Tuesday confirmed that Pfizer's vaccine was strongly protective against COVID-19 and appeared safe -- offering the world’s first detailed look at the evidence behind the shots. The positive review from the Food and Drug Administration sets the stage for a decision allowing the...
Studies Suggest AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Safe, Effective
New results on a possible COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca suggest it is safe and about 70% effective, but questions remain about how well it may help protect those over 55 — a key concern for a vaccine that health officials hope to rely on around the world...