Latest news and updates on the coronavirus pandemic for March 27, 2020:
(4:30 p.m.)
San Diego Reports police, lifeguards test positive for COVID-19
By: Zac Self
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said Friday that a San Diego Police officer has tested positive for coronavirus.
Faulconer said that the police officer works for the Western Division.
In addition, Faulconer said that a total of three San Diego lifeguards have tested positive for coronavirus.
(2:40 p.m.)
San Diego County reports three more coronavirus deaths
By: Mark Saunders
-- County health officials say three more deaths have been reported due to coronavirus, bringing the regional death toll to six.
The three additional deaths include a man in his mid 50s, a man in his 80s, and a man in his 20s who is a San Diego County resident and died in Riverside, according to County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten.
The victim in his 20s had no previous medical conditions, according to Dr. Eric McDonald, Medical Director of Epidemiology and Immunization of San Diego County.
Two of the three deaths would be included in Friday's case count, while the third would likely be reflected in Saturday's regional case update, Wooten added.
"The information shared today provides evidence that COVID-19 affects everyone at all ages," Wooten said.
San Diego County has reported at least 341 cases of coronavirus in San Diego County residents as of Thursday.
(2:37 p.m.)
Seventh San Diego VA employee tests positive for coronavirus
By Mark Saunders
-- A seventh employee with San Diego VA Healthcare System Counseling Center has tested positive for COVID-19.
Thursday, several VA employees told Team 10 investigative reporter Adam Racusin that requests to telework were denied as some people began showing symptoms of coronavirus. One person told 10News, “We were begging for about two weeks to do telework.”
The employees tell 10News they work with homeless veterans and veterans with histories of chronic homelessness. They work tight quarters and there was no way to maintain social distancing, they said.
The VA has not commented on the employee claims.
(2:12 p.m.)
Gov. Newsom says CA has received 101 million N95 masks
By: Mark Saunders
-- About 101 million N95 masks have been obtained by California to help health care workers protect themselves from the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters Friday.
Newsom added that 31.7 million N95 masks and 1.4 million sets of gloves have already been distributed.
Newsom added that the state is working to secure about 4,000 more hospital beds for an anticipated surge in coronavirus patients in the next few weeks. Currently, California's hospital system has roughly 75,000 beds.
California has about 4,095 ventilators across the state, according to the governor, with the goal of having 10,000 ventilators to help those hospitalized with the virus.
About 88,400 COVID-19 tests have been given in California and the state sees about 10,000 tests given every day, Newsom said.
(1:52 p.m.)
Trump signs $2.2 trillion stimulus bill into law
By: Scripps National, The Associated Press
-- President Donald Trump has signed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package into law at 4 p.m., hours after the House of Representatives passed the 880-page measure by voice vote.
The Senate approved the bill by a 96-0 vote on Wednesday.
The 880-page measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history. It includes stimulus payments for many Americans, student loan changes, expanded unemployment coverage, a $367 billion program for small businesses, and more.
(1:31 p.m.)
Trump invokes powers to order GM to produce ventilators
By Alex Hider, Scripps National
-- President Trump said he would invoke the Defense Production Act, which would allow him to order General Motors to produce ventilators to address a nationwide shortage.
In a statement released by the White House, the president said that he was having "productive talks" with GM regarding the company's offer to make ventilators but that he was invoking the act because "the fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course."
(12:57 p.m.)
Disneyland will remain closed until further notice
By Mario Sevilla
-- Walt Disney Resorts announced Friday that their theme parks will remain closed until further notice. The park was previously scheduled to be closed through at least March 31.
"As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice," park officials said.
The company also said that hourly employees will continue to be paid through April 18.
(12 p.m.)
Legoland extends temporary closure
By Jermaine Ong
-- Legoland California in Carlsbad is extending its closure to at least April 15. The closure includes the main park, the water park, Sea Life Aquarium, and Legoland Hotels.
Park officials said visitors with pre-existing reservations during the closure can cancel for a full refund or reschedule without penalty or additional charge, excluding the month of July 2020, and Dec. 26, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021.
The park was initially closed in March 13 due to coronavirus concerns.
(10:37 a.m.)
House passes COVID-19 stimulus bill; president expected to sign into law
By The Associated Press
-- The House has voted to pass the $2.2 trillion relief bill that’s aimed at helping American households, businesses and healthcare systems amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The 880-page measure is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history.
It includes stimulus payments for many Americans, student loan changes, expanded unemployment coverage, a $367 billion program for small businesses, and more.
(9 a.m.)
Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy arrives in LA
By Jermaine Ong
-- The San Diego-based USNS Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles Friday morning to begin its mission to assist hospitals in the region.
USNS Mercy deployed from Naval Base San Diego on Monday, and California Gov. Newsom urged President Trump to allow the ship to dock in Los Angeles through Sept. 1
The ship has at least 1,000 beds and 800 personnel on board, and the ship's main objective will be to help ease the increasing burden on area medical facilities by taking on non-COVID-19 patients.
Port of Los Angeles officials said the arrival of Mercy is not expected to disrupt shipment operations, and there will be a gradual transfer of patients to the ship from land-based hospitals as needed.
(7:32 a.m.)
Trump calls out Kentucky congressman over stimulus bill vote
By Jermaine Ong
-- President Trump took to Twitter this morning to blast Republican Rep. Thomas Massie for saying he would vote against the coronavirus relief package.
Trump tweeted: “Looks like a third rate Grandstander named @RepThomasMassie, a Congressman from, unfortunately, a truly GREAT State, Kentucky, wants to vote against the new Save Our Workers Bill in Congress. He just wants the publicity. He can’t stop it, only delay, which is both dangerous & costly. Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive. Virus wasn’t their fault. It is ‘HELL’ dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the ‘big picture’ done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but through Massie out of Republican Party!”
A short time later, the president added: “By empowering the Radical Left Democrats, do nothing Kentucky politician @RepThomasMassie is making their War on the 2nd Amendment more and more difficult to win (But don’t worry, we will win anyway!). He is a disaster for America, and for the Great State of Kentucky!”
(7 a.m.)
Stocks open lower on Wall Street following a big 3-day rally
By The Associated Press
-- Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street as the market gives back some of the gains it piled up over the past three days. The S&P 500 had shot up 17% over the previous three days as traders became hopeful that Congress would pass a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package.
The stimulus bill was approved by the Senate and is expected to pass in the House on Friday.
(6:20 a.m.)
House to vote on stimulus bill today
-- Congress hopes to move quickly on delivering massive, unprecedented legislation to speed help to individuals and businesses as the coronavirus pandemic takes a devastating toll on the U.S. economy and a health care system straining to keep up.
-- Congress hopes to move quickly on delivering massive, unprecedented legislation to speed help to individuals and businesses as the coronavirus pandemic takes a devastating toll on the U.S. economy and a health care system straining to keep up.
The House is set to pass the sprawling, $2.2 trillion measure on Friday morning after an extraordinary 96-0 Senate vote late Wednesday.
The House is set to pass the sprawling, $2.2 trillion measure on Friday morning after an extraordinary 96-0 Senate vote late Wednesday.
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(5:50 a.m.)
Port of San Diego takes extra precautions as cruise ships arrive
By Natay Holmes
-- More than 800 passengers are waiting this morning to disembark a Holland America cruise ship, with another ship set to arrive Friday morning.
-- More than 800 passengers are waiting this morning to disembark a Holland America cruise ship, with another ship set to arrive Friday morning.
The Holland America ship MS Maasdam arrived in San Diego on Thursday, while a Celebrity ship was scheduled to dock at the Port of San Diego at around 6 a.m. on Friday.
The Holland America ship MS Maasdam arrived in San Diego on Thursday, while a Celebrity ship was scheduled to dock at the Port of San Diego at around 6 a.m. on Friday.
Port of San Diego officials are taking extra precautions by working with cruise lines to dock ships that were out at sea when operations were suspended last week.
Port of San Diego officials are taking extra precautions by working with cruise lines to dock ships that were out at sea when operations were suspended last week.
10News learned all incoming ships will have to be cleared by medical personnel, and ship agents and cruise officials are required to immediately notify the Coast Guard if anyone on a ship is showing coronavirus symptoms.
10News learned all incoming ships will have to be cleared by medical personnel, and ship agents and cruise officials are required to immediately notify the Coast Guard if anyone on a ship is showing coronavirus symptoms.
Additionally, Port of San Diego will have crews thoroughly cleaning the B Street Pier before and after passengers disembark ships. Extra handwashing stations have also been installed around the pier.
Additionally, Port of San Diego will have crews thoroughly cleaning the B Street Pier before and after passengers disembark ships. Extra handwashing stations have also been installed around the pier.
As cruise ships disembark, some of the vessels will remain in San Diego without passengers on board.
(4:27 a.m.)
UK PM Johnson says he tested positive for COVID-19
By Kyle Hicks, Scripps National
-- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on social media that he has mild symptoms after contracting the coronavirus.
-- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on social media that he has mild symptoms after contracting the coronavirus.
“I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus,” he said.
“I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus,” he said.
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U.S. surpasses China for most COVID-19 cases in the world
By Kyle Hicks, Scripps National
-- A tally by Johns Hopkins University showed Thursday evening that more than 82,400 cases have been reported in the U.S. and nearly 81,800 cases have been confirmed in China. The number of cases worldwide has exceeded 500,000.
-- A tally by Johns Hopkins University showed Thursday evening that more than 82,400 cases have been reported in the U.S. and nearly 81,800 cases have been confirmed in China. The number of cases worldwide has exceeded 500,000.
The U.S. has also surpassed the Italians in total number of cases, but Italy still leads the world in the amount of deaths in connection with the virus, with at least 8,215. Johns Hopkins shows 3,291 people have died in China and 1,178 in the U.S.
The U.S. has also surpassed the Italians in total number of cases, but Italy still leads the world in the amount of deaths in connection with the virus, with at least 8,215. Johns Hopkins shows 3,291 people have died in China and 1,178 in the U.S.
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Family surprises grandma with caravan-style visit as she social distances
By KTSU staff
--A Utah family made a surprise visit to their grandmother, with a caravan-style approach, to spread some love while maintaining social distancing.
--A Utah family made a surprise visit to their grandmother, with a caravan-style approach, to spread some love while maintaining social distancing.
As family members filmed, a row of cars drove past Grandma Shirley’s front yard. The cars were filled with her family – including her kids, the majority of her 34 grandchildren and 11 great-grandkids.
As family members filmed, a row of cars drove past Grandma Shirley’s front yard. The cars were filled with her family – including her kids, the majority of her 34 grandchildren and 11 great-grandkids.
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RESOURCES: SD COUNTY COVID-19 CASE MAP | LISTINGS: What's open for business
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RESOURCES: SD COUNTY COVID-19 CASE MAP | LISTINGS: What's open for business