January 19, 2022 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Rapid COVID-19 tests in short supply, health officials encourage residents to seek other options
OC Public Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau acknowledged the testing shortfall affecting many residents. “Even with 1 billion tests made available, the first tranche…is probably not enough,” Chau said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Daily Pilot: 15 patients battling COVID-19 in pediatric hospital, the ‘highest number ever,’ public health officials say
As coronavirus cases continue to increase in Orange County, public health officials report there are 15 patients battling COVID-19 in a pediatric hospital, marking the “highest number ever” of sick children during this pandemic.
Voice of OC: Orange County’s COVID-19 positivity rate shrinks for first time in a month
Orange County’s COVID-19 positivity rate appears to be dropping for the first time in over a month as the Omicron surge continues to fuel concerns over keeping classrooms open. Still, roughly one in four tests are still coming back positive for COVID.
Daily Pilot: Costa Mesa trash piles up as COVID-19-related absences hobble local waste haulers
COVID-19-related staffing shortages in Orange County are reaching a fever pitch as employees across several industries call out sick to self-isolate or quarantine after an exposure.
OC Register: Police break up fracas at Orange County Republican meeting
Police were called to step in after a group of conservatives wearing orange shirts that said “RINO hunters,” with crosshairs making a target of the “O,” tried to storm a Republican Party of Orange County meeting in Costa Mesa on Monday night.
OC Register: Man charged with attacking medical workers at Tustin vaccination site
Thomas Apollo, 44, of Poway is accused of attacking medical staff at a Tustin vaccination site, and later groping a nurse while she was treating him, was charged Tuesday with battery and resisting arrest.
OC Register: Ex-Westminster PD civilian investigator accused of stealing more than $12,000 by lying on time sheets
A former civilian investigator with the Westminster Police Department is facing more than a dozen felonies for falsely claiming to have worked hundreds of hours she allegedly didn’t work, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
California
Associated Press: California offers college students $10K for public service
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that 45 colleges and universities in California, including some of the most prestigious campuses in the state, will be part of a new public service program that will subsidize tuition for students who do community service alongside their studies.
Nation
KTLA: List: California counties with the highest COVID-19 infection rates
As of Jan. 18, the U.S. reached 852,339 COVID-19-related deaths and 66.7 million COVID-19 cases. Currently, 62.9% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 38.1% have received booster doses. Out of 50 counties measured for new cases, OC ranks 8th. LA has the most.
Publication Date: January 19, 2022
