The rise in the number of new coronavirus infections and hospitalizations in the Bay Area continues unabated, driven by fast-moving subvariants. Those new cases are once again wreaking havoc on the Bay Area’s restaurants , as the surge collides with an industry staffing shortage. The U.S. officially marked 1 million COVID-related deaths , a figure that is almost certainly an undercount. Latest updates: COVID shut down some of S.F.’s coolest hidden public spaces. It’s time to open them back up, says John King Even before the pandemic, some of the coolest public spaces in downtown San Francisco were easy to miss — perched on tall buildings or tucked inside towers, off the map unless you were in the know. Then came COVID-19. Now, even though workers are returning to the city’s downtown core, some of the best public spaces remain off-limits. We’re still living in harrowing times, no question. But at some point before too long, the city will need to give an official prod to … [Read more...] about COVID in California: Latest news as Bay Area cases climb
Hospital deaths
1 million Americans have died of COVID-19. Data shows California’s role in the staggering toll
COVID-19 has officially claimed 1 million lives in the U.S., according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The disease has killed more than 30 out of every 10,000 people in the country since the pandemic began. Since March 2020, an average of nearly 1,250 people have officially died of COVID-19 in the U.S. every day. That count, which peaked in January 2021 with up to 4,400 deaths a day, has slowed down recently, with an average of 350 to 600 daily deaths in April and May, according to Johns Hopkins. While this death toll is staggering, it’s almost certainly a serious undercount. Many COVID-related deaths are not officially counted as COVID, so the actual number of deaths from the disease could be several hundred thousand higher, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. California, which has more people than any other state, has also had the most deaths: More than 90,000 Californians have died of COVID-19 as of early May, an average of about 113 … [Read more...] about 1 million Americans have died of COVID-19. Data shows California’s role in the staggering toll
Man opened fire at South Carolina mall in self-defense, his lawyer says
A man arrested following Saturday's South Carolina mall shooting in which nine people were wounded had opened fire in self-defense in a confrontation with other shooters, his lawyer said Sunday. The man, identified as 22-year-old Jewayne Price, has been released under house arrest and ordered to wear an ankle monitor after a judge set a $25,000 surety bond. Police booked Price on suspicion of unlawful possession of a pistol after questioning him, the Columbia Police Department said. While police have not formally alleged he was a shooter Saturday, he was barred by Bond Court at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Sunday from contacting victims of the attack, Columbia police said on Twitter. Price was one of three detained as "people of interest" for questioning, Columbia Police Chief W. H. “Skip” Holbrook said Saturday. The two others weren't involved and were released, police said in a statement released overnight. Investigators believe a fight between people … [Read more...] about Man opened fire at South Carolina mall in self-defense, his lawyer says