LOS ANGELES, Calif. Oct 14 – Today and tomorrow, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is meeting to discuss the need for boosters for those vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson or Moderna, and the committee today recommended approval of the Moderna booster dose. The committee will also review data on the safety and efficacy of ‘mixing and matching’ with a booster dose, which would involve receiving a different brand vaccine for the booster than that received for the original series.
Los Angeles County is prepared to administer Johnson & Johnson and Moderna boosters once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approves and determines eligibility.
In Los Angeles County, 947,664 individuals completed the Moderna two-dose series and 298,497 completed the Johnson & Johnson single dose by April 10. Most of these individuals will be eligible for boosters once approved by the CDC.
With final CDC approval for boosters, the vast county-wide network is prepared to begin administering these additional boosters to all eligible as determined by the CDC directive.
Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 19 new deaths and 1,142 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 19 new deaths reported today, seven people who passed away were over the age of 80, two people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, three people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and seven people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health has identified 1,474,518 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,372 deaths.
There are 698 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 28% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 8,833,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.0%.
The slight downward trend across all metrics has continued, with the County’s daily average case numbers decreasing 18% from 1,000 as of October 5, to now 925. Meanwhile, daily average hospitalizations are down to below 750, a 14% reduction from the prior week, and deaths decreased 25% to an average of 12 people passing away every day. Although we are thankful to see these numbers declining, we still have substantial transmission and will need to be vigilant if we want to reduce spread of the virus.
Given there is substantial transmission in L.A. County, K-12 schools remain focused on providing as much safety as possible for in-person learning. While there is a lot of evidence showing the protection vaccines offer, data on school cases and close contacts demonstrates the protective impact of other preventive measures, especially masking.
Last week, there were 591 student cases and nearly 2,400 student close contacts identified, a decrease of about 45% in both groups from the previous week. Among staff, there were 88 cases and 171 close contacts. Taking into account that the County has more than 1.7 million children and staff attending or working at over 3,000 schools countywide, these are strikingly low numbers. This amounts to 0.04% of students and staff testing positive and 0.2% identified as close contacts. The very low numbers represent a lot of hard work by superintendents, staff, parents, and students to consistently implement mitigation strategies. These efforts are making it possible to keep school communities safe.
Since August 16, the County has seen a total of 21 outbreaks in youth sports programs. Sixteen of those outbreaks have been associated with football, four were associated with cheerleading and dance teams, and one was associated with baseball. Overall, these outbreaks involved 394 cases and 1,527 contacts. Most of the infected individuals have been unvaccinated. Public Health continues to find that factors associated with spread include inconsistent masking, socialization on and off campus, inconsistent distancing in locker rooms and weight rooms, and shared transportation to and from events.
With the urgent need to avoid another devastating winter surge, new Health Officer Orders went into effect last week to create additional protections at high risk settings across the county. Bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs and lounges, along with outdoor mega events with more than 10,000 people, are all implementing vaccine verification requirements. As a reminder masks are still required for everyone indoors and at all indoor and outdoor mega events.
“To everyone who has lost friends and family during this difficult time, we are wishing you peace and comfort, and our prayers remain with you,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We have seen excellent compliance with the new Health Officer Order to date and thank both the establishments and the patrons for taking this extra step to help us avoid a disastrous winter. I want to acknowledge that the operational challenges at large event venues are significant and we are grateful for their continued partnership. As the fall sports season gets into full swing, I know many of you will be headed to sports bars and our amazing local arenas to watch the big games. The best way to enjoy yourself safely is to be vaccinated and prepared to comply with the public health directives.”
Before going to your favorite sports bar, ensure you and any teens coming with you have had at least one dose of vaccine, if before November 4, or are fully vaccinated, if on or after November 4. Bring proof of vaccination and a photo ID for everyone in your party, and plan to wear masks indoors except when actively eating or drinking. Consider using the outdoor areas of the establishment to be extra safe.
If you’re headed to a local venue to see a live game, make sure you and any accompanying teens are fully vaccinated or have had a recent negative COVID-19 test. Plan to bring proof of vaccination or negative testing for everyone in your party, and photo identification for everyone 18 and over. And once you’re at the game, please wear masks except when actively eating or drinking.
Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated for COVID-19 to get vaccinated now to be fully protected for the holidays. Vaccinations are widely available throughout L.A. County and are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at many sites and all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.
Vaccinated middle and high school students are eligible for free UCLA football tickets. UCLA has partnered with Public Health to give away free tickets to a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl to middle or high school students in L.A. County who’ve received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while tickets last. Students aged 12 to 18 who’ve received at least one dose can sign up for the free tickets online by visiting: http://ph.lacounty.gov/DPHUCLAVaxforTix.
Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated.
10月14日底特律报道，美国汽车制造商克莱斯勒、吉普和其他汽车品牌的母公司斯特兰蒂斯（Stellantis）计划在未来4年内向美国制造业务投资130亿美元，以扭转该公司在首席执行官菲洛萨(Antonio Filosa)的领导下实施的美国转型计划。 总部位于荷兰霍普多夫的跨国汽车制造商斯特兰蒂斯今天表示，这些投资将为其美国员工队伍增加5000多个就业岗位，并将国内产量提高50%。该计划包括到2029年，将新车引入美国密歇根州、伊利诺伊州、印第安纳州和俄亥俄州的工厂。 斯特兰蒂斯在美国上市的股票周二盘后交易中上涨超过5%。该公司股价今年迄今已下跌24%。 此消息发布之际，美国总统特朗普正努力通过征收激进关税来创造更多美国制造业就业机会，尤其是在美国汽车行业。该公司表示，这些计划将进一步扩大斯特兰蒂斯董事长埃尔坎(John Elkann)在一月份向特朗普总统详细汇报阐述的计划。 菲曾领导该公司的北美业务，之后于今年6月23日就任该公司首席执行官菲洛萨今天表示：“从第一天起，我和团队就明确了优先事项，那就是在我们运营的最大市场—美国—实现增长。我们知道需要做什么才能发展这个市场。”
10月14日华盛顿报道，美国总统特朗普今天在白官新装修的玫瑰园举办颁奖典礼，追授已故保守派活动家查理·柯克（Charlie Kirk）总统自由勋章，当天恰逢柯克32岁生日。 特朗普总统表示：“今天，我们在这里缅怀一位无畏的自由战士，一位以前所未有的方式激励下一代、受人爱戴的领袖，一位拥有最坚定信念、最优秀品质和最高水准的美国爱国者——已故的伟大的柯克。” 特朗普总统说：“五周前，我们国家失去了这位非凡的勇士。” 柯克的遗孀埃里卡（Erika Kirk）接受了该美国最高平民的荣誉奖项，她泪流满面地讲述了丈夫柯克的一生和贡献。在这个特别感人的时刻，埃里卡说她问过3岁的女儿，在父亲生日那天想对他说些什么。 埃里卡说，她女儿回答“‘爸爸生日快乐’，”她说，女儿的留言是这样的。“我想送你一个毛绒玩具。我想让你吃一个纸杯蛋糕和冰淇淋。我想让你去参加一个生日派对。” 9月10日，柯克在美国犹他谷大学发表演讲时遭枪手枪击身亡。此次演讲是他“美国回归之旅”的第一站。该之旅邀请大学生就热点问题展开辩论。 柯克遇害当晚，特朗普总统率先宣布柯克去世的消息，并在第二天表示将授予柯克总统自由勋章，并称赞这位“美国转折点”的创始人是“他那一代的巨人”。 美国众议院和参议院此前通过了一项决议，将柯克的生日 10 月 14 日定为“国家纪念日”。 特朗普总统刚刚结束了他参与斡旋的以色列和哈马斯达成和平协议的中东之行，并出席庆祝以色列与哈马斯达成的停火协议仪式，于今天凌晨飞抵华盛顿。…
10月14日华盛顿报道，美国众议院司法委员会主席乔丹（Jim Jordan）今天要求传讯前特别检察官史密斯（Jack Smith)，要求其在10月28日之前就调查特朗普总统进行闭门作证，并要求其提供相关文件和通讯材料。 一份调查文件显示，拜登政府特别检察官史密斯除调查特朗普总统之外，在其调查2021年1月6日所谓的国会骚乱期间，曾监听追踪了近12名共和党参议员的私人通讯和电话记录。 特别检察官史密斯及其一个名为“北极霜冻”(Arctic Frost）的特工调查小组，在调查2021年1月6日国会骚乱事件中，涉嫌追踪了南卡罗来纳州共和党参议员格雷厄姆（Lindsey Graham)、田纳西州参议员布莱克本（Marsha Blackburn)、威斯康星州参议员约翰逊（Ron Johnson)、密苏里州参议员霍利（Josh Hawley)、怀俄明州参议员卢米斯（Cynthia Lummis)、田纳西州参议员哈格蒂（Bill Hagerty)、阿拉斯加州参议员沙利文（Dan Sullivan)、阿拉巴马州参议员图伯维尔（Tommy Tuberville）和宾夕法尼亚州共和党众议员凯利（Mike Kelly）的电话通话。…
10月14日华盛顿报道，美国司法部从一起全球“杀猪”诈骗案中缴获了价值150亿美元的比特币。该诈骗案由中国商人陈志（Chen Zhi）与柬埔寨的强迫劳动营共同策划，利用这些不义之财抢购艺术品、奢侈手表和昂贵的房地产。 美国纽约布鲁克林联邦法院的检察官今天指控太子集团创始人兼董事长、37岁的陈志涉嫌在过去十年中犯有电信欺诈、贿赂和洗钱等罪行。 美国执法当局指控陈志在柬埔寨指挥“电话农场”，在那里被贩卖的工人被迫执行司法部所称的“杀猪”行为，这是一种通过请求经济援助、虚假恋爱关系，或承诺丰厚的加密货币投资来引诱“养肥”受害者的骗局。 美国司法部从一起全球“杀猪”诈骗案中缴获了价值 150 亿美元的比特币。该诈骗案由一名中国商人与柬埔寨的强迫劳动营共同策划，利用这些不义之财抢购艺术品、奢侈手表和昂贵的房地产。 美国司法部官员表示，当局还采取行动扣押了太子控股集团创始人兼董事长陈志持有的价值约150亿美元的比特币，这是该部门历史上规模最大的此类行动。 来自中国福建连江的80后陈志在2014年归化成为柬埔寨公民，担任过前首相洪森（Hun Sen）、前内政部长韶肯（Sar Kheng）、前国民议会主席韩桑林（Heng Samrin），以及现任首相洪马奈（Hun Manet）的顾问。陈志所创办的太子集团控股，自称是柬埔寨规模最大、发展最快的企业集团之一。
SACRAMENTO, Oct 13 – Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) announced today that Governor Gavin…
10月13日洛杉矶报道，洛杉矶圣盖博谷及周边地区多位民选官员今天联合举行新闻发布会，严正指出第50号提案可能对亚裔社群造成的重大不利影响。出席发布会的华裔及亚太裔民选官员包括圣盖博市副市长陈履正，亚凯迪亚前市长、现任市议员郑博仁，以及天普市市议员陈祥甯等，他们共同发出警告，呼吁选民关注提案内容并行使投票权。 几位华裔民选官员认为，第50号提案拟废除由独立公民选区重划委员会制定、经选民批准的现行美国国会选区地图，改由加州萨克拉门托政客在缺乏透明度的程式下重新划分。该改变不仅可能破坏选区划分的公正性，还将严重分散南加州亚裔社群的政治力量，削弱其代表性与影响力。 亚凯迪亚市议员郑博仁表示，反对将选区划分权力从独立委员会交还给政客，认为这是对民主程序和亚裔社群投票权利的侵害，并指出第50号提案拟定的选区地图，将圣盖博谷东部和罗兰岗等亚裔聚居区被划分为三个选区，稀释了亚裔选民的投票影响力，分散亚裔选民的声音。 几位华裔民选及西裔民选官员还认为，蒙特克莱市等拉丁裔社区也被分割，影响其社区完整性。第50号提案将损害少数族裔代表性，让国会议员保护自己的职位。 蒙特克莱市议员洛佩兹表示，这是史无前例的不公。例如萨克拉门托的莱蒙山、弗洛林和派克威等亚裔社区，将被拆分并纳入向东延伸至太浩湖的广阔选区；圣地牙哥的米拉梅萨和佩纳斯基托斯地区也面临社群分裂问题。 这些民选官员在发布会上呼吁选民反对第50号提案，维护独立公民选区重划委员会的公正透明，反对不公选区划分，保护民主权利和社区利益。 https://youtu.be/7SxeydVPM64