Los Angeles Expands Coronavirus Testing, Lifts Restrictions

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that the City is now expanding its free coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. Previously, only those who were displayed symptoms and were either over 65 years old or had underlying health conditions could sign up for the test. The City has now lifted these restrictions, though priority will still be given to those who are over 65 or have underlying health conditions.

"Anybody now in the county and anybody who wants to get a test can apply for that test," said Garcetti during Monday night's press briefing. "That doesn't mean we'll have a test for everybody tomorrow,” he added, “but it means that our capacity is now greater than the number that we are getting through the requirements that we had."

The testing program, which had a single testing site two weeks ago, has now expanded to 13 sites across the county, including locations in Palmdale, Redondo Beach, and Glendale. More than 21,000 tests have been completed in the past two and a half weeks. By the end of the week, the City will be on track to complete a total of 36,000 tests between testing sites and providers, according to Garcetti.

Those interested in signing up for the COVID-19 test can visit www.coronavirus.lacity.org.

Garcetti further stressed that Angelenos must continue to adhere to the Safer at Home guidelines as there have been reports that many are neglecting to practice social distancing.

"I think a lot of people think this is still an elderly person's disease, but if you look at the county numbers, we have 34 percent of the cases are people 18-40 and 43 percent of them are 41 to 65," Garcetti said, meaning 77 percent of coronavirus cases in LA county are people under 65.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirmed 15 new deaths and 420 new cases on Monday, April 6. During the past 48 hours, there have been 1083 new cases.

Director of Public Health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, warned Angelenos to expect "many more cases over the next few weeks" and urged residents to stay home.

"If you have enough supplies in your home, this would be the week to skip shopping altogether," Ferrer said. "If you can arrange for…medications and groceries to be delivered, this would be the week to put that in place."

Earlier in the week, both Mayor Garcetti and the CDC recommended everyone wear cloth face coverings. Ferrer is now urging everyone to adhere to this new guidance.

"Whenever you're leaving your home to procure or provide essential services and you're gonna be either in a public or private setting with other people who are not members of your household, we ask that you please wear a clean cloth face covering at all times," Ferrer said. "You can wear a scarf or a bandana and you can easily make your own."

Ferrer warned that face coverings do not offer protection from the virus. "They may be helpful in preventing you from infecting others, but they're not gonna keep you from being infected," she said. "Your best protections remain staying home as much as possible, frequently washing your hands, and importantly, staying at least six feet apart from all other people when you're out."

A document created by Public Health states that face coverings are "an additional tool that can protect others from possible exposure to respiratory droplets that may come from our mouth when we talk, sneeze, or cough."

Public Health's guidance for cloth face coverings is available here.