San Marino has another resident who has contracted the coronavirus, bringing the city’s total to nine, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in strict guidelines against public or private congregation, known as “Safer at Home,” and has shut down all schools and businesses except those considered “essential” in order to contain its spread.
The disease, which is caused by a novel coronavirus that emerged in November, currently has no cure or vaccine and is responsible for 729 deaths in L.A. County, according to data released on Wednesday. The report also stated that there are 16,435 verified cases in the county. The report does not take into account individuals who once had the virus and may have recovered, but keeps only a cumulative total of cases as they are diagnosed.
Meanwhile, a study conducted by USC and the L.A. County Department of Public Health, which measures antibodies that are generated by those who have contracted the virus, indicates that as many as between 221,000 and 442,000 may have been infected.
“It is possible that there are many, many more who have been exposed and are asymptomatic,” said San Marino Fire Chief Mario Rueda, referencing the report. “That means that maybe up to 400,000 people have this and can infect others. Every contact that person has can lead to an infection.”
Rueda encouraged the community to continue to practice social distancing measures until health officials advise otherwise. He also said the recent heat wave could be counterproductive for efforts to stop the spread.
“The warmer weather makes it much more inviting for people to congregate,” Rueda said. “Just be on guard. We have all suffered for the past month. I encourage you to give it a few more weeks and then you can host barbecues when it is determined that it is safe to do so.
Every person you see is just another connection to a whole bunch of people and you do not know who might be infected.”
Rueda has also been researching the best methods for reopening the town to normal activities.
“It’s important for residents to know that we are not actually sitting on our hands,” he said. “We are looking around the corner so that we and our residents don’t get surprised.”
Rueda also said that the SMFD is healthy, at full strength, and responding to the dozen or so daily calls to the city’s resident support hotline.
“We have been working hard so that we are putting out pertinent information,” Rueda said. “This service has been well-received. It has provided a place for people to call when they have any questions.”
While reporting that his department is healthy and fully operational, Police Chief John Incontro mentioned a need for less speed on the streets of San Marino.
“There is a significant increase in the number of people speeding,” said Incontro. “We will be enforcing posted speed limits and we will be writing citations.”
Incontro mentioned that he recently wrote a ticket for a motorist who was traveling at more than 60 miles per hour.
“There is no traffic at all and the streets are wide open,” Incontro said. The city will be placing electric message signs at either end of Huntington Drive and on southbound Sierra Madre Boulevard to make drivers aware of speed limits and citation policies.
Incontro also said that there has been an increase in burglaries and thefts.
“There is a false sense of security that comes from so many people being at home,” the chief said. “The state is releasing 3,000 prisoners and bail for anything except violent felonies is zero. Courts are holding off until mid-May. There are a lot of crooks running around. People have to be more careful than ever. These are opportunists.”
Incontro urged citizens to “do the simple things.”
“We have noticed that residents aren’t locking their cars, homes and garages,” he said. “If it is easy for them to get to, they will take it. It goes back to what we always say, ‘Hide it, lock it, keep it.’”
Officials Urge Safety Norms as COVID-19 Cases Climb
