January 7, 2022 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: OC sees highest COVID positivity rate yet as hospitalizations continue to increase
Orange County’s COVID-19 hospitalizations are steadily rising as the county’s hit it’s highest positivity rate of the pandemic so far, with one in four tests coming back positive for the virus.
Voice of OC: School absences, anger in OC as hunt for COVID tests are fruitless for many
In Santa Ana Unified School District elementary schools, the absentee rate soared as high as 17% this week, whereas normal levels usually hover at 3%, said district spokesperson Fermin Leal in a text message Wednesday.
OC Register: Another COVID-related death of a child younger than 5 reported in OC
Orange County officials reported Thursday, Dec. 6, another local child younger than 5 has died of complications related to COVID-19 infection. The county reported 6,266 new COVID-19 cases Thursday amid this new winter surge and also logged two more fatalities, increasing the overall death toll to 5,903.
OC Register: Coronavirus: 6,428 new cases, three more deaths in Orange County on Jan. 7
Another 55 people with confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in Orange County hospitals on Friday, bringing the total number of hospitalizations to 779, with 122 patients in intensive care units. A year ago on Jan. 6, Orange County had 2,251 patients hospitalized with the coronavirus.
Daily Pilot: Seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, Costa Mesa City Hall moves to appointment-only visits
Core public services, such as police and fire, will continue to serve the community. Residents are encouraged to visit the city’s website and its social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor for the latest information.
OC Register: Fullerton closes escrow on more of West Coyote Hills for preservation as open space
Fullerton bought the land for $18.1 million, using private and government grants, from Chevron-owned Pacific Coast Homes, which has been approved to build hundreds of homes dotting West Coyote Hills.
OC Register: New 91 Freeway lane opens between Corona, Anaheim Hills
A new westbound lane at a choke point on the 91 Freeway is open. The 2-mile-long, all-purpose lane on the westbound 91 extends from Green River Road in Corona to the 241 Toll Road in Anaheim Hills. It opened at 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, a Riverside County Transportation Commission news release states.
California
KTLA: Schools across California fight to stay open amid omicron surge
Schools across California are struggling to stay open amid severe staffing shortages, high student absences and increased infection rates as the Omicron variant surge continues to sweep through the region
Nation
Associated Press: ‘Hatred in the eyes’: How racist rage animated Jan. 6 riots
The insurrection by pro-Trump supporters and members of far-right groups shattered the sense of security that many had long felt at the Capitol as rioters forcibly delayed the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory. But for people of color in Congress, the attack was more than a violent challenge to a free and fair election.
Publication Date: January 7, 2022
