COVID-19 testing ramped up across SoCal in response to concerns of new surge

Concerns of new surge as COVID-19 cases spike

A recent spike in coronavirus cases has led to ramped-up testing across Southern California.

DAVIS, Calif. - A recent spike in coronavirus cases has led to ramped-up testing across Southern California.

In response to the recent spike, the COVID-19 testing capacity will increase from 7,700 to 13,700 per day in Los Angeles County, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday evening.

Click here for more information and to make a free COVID-19 testing appointment.

For many residents, there is a growing concern not only for people’s health but concern for the health of the economy.

“We’re seeing a lot of decreased numbers with that as well. People are very fearful and scared about coming back,” said Jason Cohen, the owner of a gym in Sherman Oaks.

California is part of an overall nationwide trend experiencing an uptick in coronavirus cases.

“That’s a bummer. Everybody did a lot of work trying to keep them down and the fact that they’re going back up is not good,” a local resident told FOX 11.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that counties where leaders don't adhere to shelter-in-place orders, especially when they have signed "attestations," will have to face financial consequences.

By that, Newsom meant that California's counties must comply with state and federal COVID-19 rules if they want part of up to $2.5 billion in funding through the state budget, according to details of a budget deal expected to win approval in the Legislature, first reported by the Sacramento Bee.

Click here to watch Wednesday's briefing.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom also called for Californians to continue practicing social distancing guidelines as coronavirus cases spike in some areas, including in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"We cannot do what we've continued to do for the last few weeks," Newsom said. "As we go back to our old habits, we are spreading the virus."

In addition to the state's larger metropolitan areas, Newsom also expressed "concern" for some of the state's more rural areas such as Kings and Imperial counties.

Newsom provided Wednesday's briefing from UC Davis.

In late March, UC Davis launched two clinical studies to treat COVID-19 — the investigational antiviral remdesivir, and sarilumab, a drug that blocks the body’s acute inflammatory response.

Newsom called for California residents to improve their efforts around social and physical distancing and the need to take more responsibility as individuals to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

While more people are testing positive as more tests are being conducted, Newsom said the number can be “misleading” and that what’s important is the positivity rate, which has increased.

In a two-week period, the state’s hospitalization numbers have climbed from 3,177 on June 10 to 4,095 on June 23.

An alarming statistic Newsom reported was that there were 4,230 coronavirus cases statewide on Monday, which is a number that shot up to 7,149 cases by Wednesday -- a 69% increase in two days.

COVID-19 ICU numbers are also on the rise, Newsom said. State data shows there has been an 18% increase in coronavirus ICU admissions over the last 14 days.

The news conference comes after Newsom said he may "reel back" on some reopenings as the state's COVID-19 cases continue to climb.

However, during Wednesday’s briefing, Newsom said he did not intend to scale back on reopening and will continue to work with the state’s individual counties on reopening efforts.

In LA County, health officials in Los Angeles fear a surge after seeing a recent spike in coronavirus cases. In addition, the seven-day average of positivity rate has increased to 8.8% from 8%.

Newsom emphasized that the state is still in its first wave in combating the virus.

Newsom repeatedly said what individuals can do to slow the spread of COVID-19, which includes wearing a face covering, washing your hands, and social distancing.

“Good behavior can be scaled and replicated,” Newsom said.

He said he understands some people have “cabin fever,” and desire to return to some sense of normalcy during summer months, however, he is asking residents to remain mindful during the pandemic.

Newsom said that people “mixing” is “increasing the spread of this virus.”

Another emerging trend is that younger people, aged 18 to 34, are getting sick mostly through community spread, Newsom said. In California, that age range accounts for 30% of coronavirus cases. In Los Angeles County, those aged 18 to 40 account for 40.4% of cases.

“You’re not invisible to COVID-19. This is quite the contrary, [it’s a] disease the easily spreads,” Newsom said addressing those who have been careless.

Newsom noted that as more young become becoming COVID-19 positive, that regardless of one's age, one can be a vector and spread the virus to people who cannot handle it, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions of all ages.

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Newsom also reported Wednesday that the state has improved its contact tracing capacity and that 10,000 people will be trained in the new platform by July 1. Of the state’s 58 counties, 31 of them have on-boarded, 5 were set to get trained on Wednesday, and 15 counties were in the process of getting trained.

"Do so not only for yourself but for others," Newsom said encouraging people to remain diligent during the pandemic.

Newsom cited Dr. Anthony Fauci and advised people not to go into big crowds and if they must, to wear a mask.

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The governor said people had the constitutional right to protest and asked that demonstrations continue wearing facial coverings.

The governor acknowledged that health directors across the state have been getting death threats. He condemned the threats and thanked health officers for “doing the best they can under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.”

KTVU contributed to this report.