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Governor Newsom and state officials update coronavirus response

Governor Gavin Newsom briefed the public Thursday on the latest on the state’s COVID-19 preparedness and response.

Newsom said 8,000 coronavirus test kits are now available in California with more than 1,500 tests conducted.

Governor Gavin Newsom briefed the public Thursday on the latest on the state’s COVID-19 preparedness and response.

The governor announced another confirmed case of the coronavirus in the Coachella Valley Wednesday bringing the number to six. Riverside County has two other cases involving people quarantined in northern California.

Newsom discussed his executive order issued Wednesday. It has called on local governments to no longer permit large events of 250 people or more including sporting events, concerts due to transmission fears. The directive is effective for the rest of the month, but will likely be extended further. It does not include casinos, card rooms, theaters, or large parks like Disney. The state has been meeting with industry leaders discussing the complexities of their circumstances. Newsom said they are making rapid progress and will make decisions soon.

Newsom said the state is preparing plans and procedures for schools to close if necessary. He said directives would be laid out on Saturday with information assisting students and staff. They would include canceling assemblies, staggering physical education programs, distancing, and concentrating classrooms without mixing students with others. They're also developing plans on how to feed and protect children should schools be closed.

Newsom said 8,000 coronavirus test kits are now available in California with more than 1,500 tests conducted.

Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday the state's testing capabilities were increasing. The governor said there were four testing centers able to test for the coronavirus. They include UC San Diego, UCLA, Stanford and the City of Hope. They are providing information to Quest Labs and state labs to test for coronavirus. Newsom said they're hoping to have seven labs processing tests by next week. There is no current backlog of testing, according to the governor.

Hoping to have 476 individuals off the Grand Princess cruise ship by the end of the day. It is now docked in Oakland. Many were taken off the ship yesterday and taken to quarantine locations or to hospitals. Only 8 people remain in hospitals. Aware of a number of people who've tested positive for the virus above the 21 originally diagnosed.

The governor said the state is financially in a good place to handle the crisis with $3.4 billion in reserves which could be appropriated in the upcoming fiscal budget year.

Newsom said 8,000 coronavirus test kits are now available in California with more than 1,500 tests conducted.

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Jeff Stahl

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Timothy Kiley

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