December 17, 2020

Orange County

Voice of OC: OC Health Director pleads with public as hospitals bombarded with COVID patients

As spiking coronavirus cases and hospitalizations stretch local hospitals to their limits, Orange County’s public health officer issued an emotional appeal for the public to wear masks and avoid gathering with people who live in other households.

 

Voice of OC: Time for transparency on Coronavirus instead of just shutting down

Santana: Like so much of the pandemic, it seems a select group of county government executives and a few elected officials will continue making critical calls, largely on their own.

 

Daily Pilot: OC Healthcare workers receive vaccine

Dozens of healthcare workers across Orange County received the vaccine on Thursday after shipments arrived at area hospitals on Wednesday. Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian reported it received 1,950 doses to vaccinate its staff in Newport Beach and Irvine.

 

Daily Pilot: OC hospital’s told not to divert ambulances despite influx of virus patients

The Orange County Health Care Agency has issued an order that forbids hospital emergency rooms from redirecting ambulances to other medical facilities.

 

State

KTLA: Trump admin cuts $200m in healthcare funds to California over abortions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it will withhold the funding from Medicaid in the new fiscal quarter starting in January and “if the state does not come into compliance” the department will cut an additional $200 million per fiscal quarter.

 

Nation

Politico: Congress prepares for weekend work as stimulus package stalls

Negotiators on Capitol Hill and at the White House have still not wrapped up talks over a nearly $1 trillion coronavirus relief package ahead of a Friday deadline, as Republicans and Democrats spar over tens of billions of dollars in government spending.

 

AP News: Biden to choose Rep. Haaland as interior secretary

President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary, according to a person familiar with the decision, a historic pick that would make her the first Native American to lead the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over the nation’s tribes for generations.

 

Publication Date: December 17, 2020