Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warns of possible new stay-at-home order

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is warning of another set of stay-at-home orders if COVID-19 hospitalization and infection rates continue to rise.

With the highest number of hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic, Los Angeles County health officials Wednesday reported 65 new COVID-19 deaths bringing the total number of fatal cases to 3,642.

RELATED: LA County coronavirus deaths, new cases and hospitalizations continue to increase

"If things get worse that would place us at a higher risk of infection and we would likely return to a mandated stay at home order," said Mayor Garcetti.

The next two weeks are critical in whether or not more restrictions are announced, according to Garcetti.

RELATED: Stay up to date on all coronavirus-related information

"It might be a little bit extreme and people might find it uncomfortable, but it’s for the greater good," downtown Los Angeles resident Howard Smith said. 

The threat of the coronavirus remains medium to high, which Los Angeles City officials say means people should assume everyone around them is infectious and residents should stay at home as much as possible.

RELATED: Interactive Map of Coronavirus Cases

"It’s really hard to pay rent and really hard to even get a job," said independent contractor Rob Roach.  "I’m nervous if they shut it down what does that mean...and are we going to have to start over again?" he asked.

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