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Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit seeking full compliance by Grace Community Church to follow public health orders in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep church members and all Los Angeles County residents safe and healthy.

The County took this action reluctantly, after working with the church for several weeks in hopes of gaining voluntary compliance with the Health Officer Orders, which allow for religious services to be held outdoors in order to slow the spread of a deadly and highly contagious virus.

A copy of the lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, can be found here.

While not commenting on the specifics of the lawsuit--or on a lawsuit filed by the church against California’s governor and other elected and public health officials--the Department of Public Health released the following statement underscoring the urgent necessity of compliance by all businesses and institutions, including faith-based organizations, as the County works to slow the spread of the deadly virus that has claimed the lives of more than 5,100 County residents:

We are working hard each week to respond to the many complaints related to non-compliance. The County always wants to amicably resolve these issues with all members of the community, including churches.  We use education as the primary step in gaining compliance; however, when compliance is not achieved, we must use the other tools at our disposal. 

For the health and safety of both worshippers and the wider community, indoor worship services have been prohibited within the County since mid-July. This was a result of a California Department of Public Health mandate and many faith organizations have demonstrated great leadership and compassion by following the health officer orders and keeping their congregations and the broader community safe.

COVID-19 is a highly infectious virus and it is easily transmitted indoors, in crowds and when people are talking, raising their voices or singing. Research shows that gatherings outdoors with participants maintain physical distance and wearing facemasks are less risky.

Los Angeles County is grateful to those religious institutions that are adhering to the Health Officer Order, and have found ways to worship that do not put the wider community at risk. As a community we need to be able to both protect public health and safety and operate the beloved community institutions that are central to our lives.

One thing is certain: we will not be able to enforce our way out of this pandemic and we need everyone doing their part to keep themselves and each other safe and healthy.

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) extended the deadline to apply for a disaster recovery loan to September 16, 2020 for Los Angeles County business owners who suffered physical or property damage due to the civil unrest incidents that began on May 26, 2020.

“This is an excellent opportunity for small business owners in Los Angeles County to benefit from low-interest bearing federal loans that can help them on their recovery journey if they experienced losses because of the civil unrest that impacted our County,” stated Kevin McGowan, Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “During these challenging times, every bit of help counts. We encourage small business owners to take advantage of this resource while it’s still available.”

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA low interest loans can also help businesses with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

There are two newly updated important deadlines to apply for assistance from SBA. Business owners must file an application by September 16, 2020 for property damage applications and by March 17, 2021 for economic injury applications.

There are several ways to apply:

• Complete an application online at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov
• Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
• Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

If you need help with your application, visit the Los Angeles County Disaster Help Center at lacountyhelpcenter.org. Interested applicants who do not have access to the internet, have limited computer proficiency or speak languages other than English may instead contact LA County’s Disaster Help Center at (833) 238-4450. Multilingual business counselors are standing by to assist business owners in completing applications Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The SBA is also offering assistance through their Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov. SBA disaster loans are only available for damages and losses due to the civil unrest that began May 26, 2020, and not for COVID-19 related losses.

Economic injury disaster loans help meet working capital needs such as purchasing inventory, supplies and covering day-to-day expenses like rent and payroll. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business has suffered any property damage or not.

Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent for businesses, and 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

As the need for COVID-19 testing continues to rise, the County of Los Angeles is expanding testing capacity at current sites and opening new sites in high-need areas. Due to this expansion, County-supported testing sites will have the capacity to test up to 55,000 residents a week.

Appointments are available at the following County-operated sites this week:

• Beach Cities Health District – 514 N Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
• Bellflower City Hall –16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA 90706
• College of the Canyons – 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355
• East LA College – 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754
• MLK Medical Campus – 12021 S. Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059
• Montebello Civic Center – ­1600 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640
• Palmdale Hammack Center – 815 E Avenue Q6, Palmdale CA 93550
• Panorama City – 14665 Roscoe Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402
• Pomona Fairplex Gate 17 – 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona, CA 91768
• Rancho South Campus – 7799-7701 Golondrinas St., Downey, CA 90242 – new site opening Tuesday, August 4^th
• San Gabriel Valley Airport – 4233 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte, CA 91731
• South Gate Park – 4900 Southern Ave., South Gate, CA 90280
• The Forum – 3900 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305

In preparation for the construction of the first-of-its-kind MLK Child and Family Well-being Center and to ensure the safety of residents, the site at Charles R. Drew University will relocate to the MLK Medical Campus on Tuesday, August 4th:

• MLK Medical Campus – 12021 S. Wilmington Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90059 – effective Tuesday, August 4th

The MLK Medical Campus will accommodate walk-up testing. Nearby drive-up testing sites, including at the Forum in Inglewood, are open for testing. The MLK Child and Family Well-being Center will bring comprehensive services to children, adolescents and families. In partnership with County Departments of Health Services, Public Health, Mental Health and Children and Family Services, the Center will feature a specialized Pediatric Medical Hub Clinic for children in foster care, an Autism Wellness Center, and a Family Justice Center. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/39IxSLl.

Four new County-supported testing sites, operated by Optum Serve, will begin to offer appointment availability this month:

• Compton – Gonzales Park – 1001 W. Cressey St., Compton, CA 90222 – opening Monday, August 10^th
• Florence Firestone – Leon Washington Park Community Center, 8908 Maie Ave., Los Angeles CA 90002 – opening Monday, August 10^th
• Azusa – Memorial Park Gymnasium - 340 N. Orange Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 – opening Tuesday, August 11^th
• MacArthur Park – Mexican Consulate – 2401 W. 6^th, Los Angeles, CA 90057 – opening Wednesday, August 12^th

Two additional sites, operated by Optum Serve, will be adding additional capacity starting Monday, August 10^th:

• California State University, Los Angeles - 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90032
• Hawthorne Memorial Center - Betty Ainsworth Sports Center - 3851 W El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250

In total, this will add capacity to test an additional 8,500 residents a week.

“We are focused and committed to reducing the disparities of COVID-related illness across our communities of color and these additional sites are an important step, among broader efforts, to expand access to testing and halt the spread of this disease,” said L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “While this virus doesn’t discriminate, many of our vulnerable communities are bearing a heavier burden.  We will continue to take every step necessary to address the underlying economic and other factors driving this epidemic.”

“Expanding testing capacity among the communities that need it most is one of our top priorities as we address the impact of COVID-19 here in LA County,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of the Department of Health Services. “This is an equity and access issue and a big step in the right direction as we strengthen our support for vulnerable communities.”

COVID-19 testing is also offered at City of Los Angeles supported sites, State-supported testing sites through Optum Serve and Verily, select CVS, Rite-Aid, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, and other testing partners.

L.A. County residents seeking testing should contact their provider first, if they have one.  Testing at all County and City-operated sites is prioritized for people with COVID-19 symptoms, people working or living in high-risk places such as skilled nursing facilities, group homes and residential care facilities, persons experiencing homelessness, and people who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19. More information on criteria can be found by clicking here.

Testing availability is subject to change and testing is by appointment only. Visit https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ or https://coronavirus.lacity.org/testing to view the full list of testing sites, find the most up-to-date information on availability, and to make an appointment.

With temperatures in parts of Los Angeles County expected to rise into the triple digits this weekend, various public facilities located throughout the County will serve as Emergency Cooling Centers starting on Friday, July 31st. These centers provide members of the public who lack air conditioning at home with relief from the heat, free of charge.

“Offering free emergency heat relief is an important service to help keep vulnerable members of the public safe and healthy during heat waves,” stated Kevin McGowan, Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “The County is collaborating with various cities, such as Azusa, Claremont, Glendale, Lancaster, Palmdale and the City of Los Angeles to bring this free support service to all residents. We jointly stand ready to provide anyone who needs to get out of the heat with a safe place to cool down.”

All Centers will operate in compliance with physical distancing and other COVID-19 safety criteria from the current Health Officer Order. They will be located in areas selected based on heat forecasts provided by the National Weather Service and impact to regions identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. More locations may be added or hours extended based on weather conditions. To obtain a list of the County’s Emergency Cooling Centers or view a map of these sites, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat or dial 2-1-1.

The County also reminds all members of the public to take the following extra precautions during hot weather:

• Avoid the sun – stay indoors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest.
• Drink plenty of fluids – 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat.
• Replace salt and minerals – sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Pace yourself – reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours.
• Wear appropriate clothing – wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors.
• Stay cool indoors during peak hours – set your air conditioner between 75° to 80°. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and/or visit a County Emergency Cooling Center. Find a local emergency cooling center at ready.lacounty.gov/heat.
• Monitor those at high risk – check on elderly neighbors, family members and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old, people who overexert during work (e.g. construction workers) and people 65 years and older are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.
• Keep pets indoors – heat also affects your pets, so please keep them indoors. If they will be outside, make sure they have plenty of water and a shaded area to help them keep cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses and prevention, please visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s website at publichealth.lacounty.gov.

As the need for COVID-19 testing continues to rise, the County and the City of Los Angeles are working together to ensure and expand testing capacity at current sites. Due to this expansion, County and City operated testing sites have a combined capacity to test over 140,000 people. Since launching free testing in March, the City and County have provided 1.2 million tests to Angelenos.

Los Angeles County will launch three new testing sites next week to expand access to high-need areas including Montebello, South Gate and Panorama City. The City of Los Angeles last week opened a new site at the VA Parking Lot 15, at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

“Our communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 due to decades of systemic inequities and this is unacceptable,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “While a County testing site may ask for insurance information in order to recover costs, no one will be turned away for being uninsured. We will not allow financial barriers or immigration status to get in the way of access to COVID-19 testing. With today’s announcement of these new testing sites, we are demonstrating that LA County continues to equitably distribute resources to make sure historically underinvested communities do not continue to bear the brunt of this crisis.”

“Testing helps us track this virus, stop its spread, and saves lives, so it’s imperative that Los Angeles continue delivering more tests than ever and deploying mobile testing to hard-hit communities,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Scaling up our testing system is only one piece of a larger puzzle -- we still need everyone to do their part: wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain your distance, stay home when you can, and when a county contact tracer calls, please pick up and be a part of containing this pandemic.”

Appointments are available at the following County-operated sites this week, with an additional 1,000 appointments being added this weekend:

• Bellflower City Hall - 16600 Civic Center Drive, Bellflower, CA 90706
• Charles R. Drew University Campus - 1731 E 120th St. Los Angeles, CA 90059
• College of the Canyons - 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355
• East LA College - 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754
• Pomona Fairplex Gate 17 - 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona, CA 91768
• San Gabriel Valley Airport - 4233 Santa Anita Ave., El Monte, CA 91731
• The Forum - 3900 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305
• Beach Cities Health District - 514 N Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach, CA 90277
• Palmdale Hammack Center - 815 E Avenue Q6, Palmdale CA 93550

Appointments are available at the following City-operated sites this week:

• Dodger Stadium, Lot 1 - 1101 Scott Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Hansen Dam Recreation Center - 11770 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace, Ca 91342 (Osborne St. entrance)
• Crenshaw Christian Center - 7901 S. Vermont Ave, LA, Ca 90044
• VA Parking Lot 15 (Jackie Robinson Stadium) - 100 Constitution Ave, LA, Ca 900951
• Lincoln Park Recreation Center - 3501 Valley Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90031
• Carbon Health - Echo Park - 2110 Sunset Blvd Suite M, Los Angeles, CA 90026
• West Valley/Warner Center - 6097 Canoga Ave. Woodland Hills, Ca 91367
• Kedren Community Health Center - 4211 S. Avalon Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90011

Three new County-operated testing sites will begin to offer appointment availability starting next week:

• South Gate Park - 4900 Southern Ave., South Gate, CA 90280 – opening Monday July 27^th
• Montebello Civic Center ­-1600 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640 – opening Tuesday July 28^th
• Panorama City - 14665 Roscoe Blvd, Panorama City, CA 91402 – opening on Wednesday July 29^th

By the end of next week, these additional sites will have the capacity to test almost 2,000 residents a day, five days a week.

The City of Los Angeles is also continuing to deploy mobile testing units to communities with a high need for testing. This week, the City will test residents in the Nickerson Gardens housing development and in the Boyle Heights neighborhood.

COVID-19 testing is also offered at select CVS, Rite-Aid, Federally Qualified Health Clinics, and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services-operated health centers.

If you think you need a test:

Please first call your doctor. Testing is best done by a healthcare provider, so they can monitor your care. Testing at all County and City-operated sites is prioritized for people with COVID-19 symptoms, people working or living in places such as skilled nursing facilities, group homes and residential care facilities, persons experiencing homelessness, and people who were in close contact with someone with COVID-19. Testing is available to all residents at City sites, with or without symptoms. Limited testing is also available at County sites for some asymptomatic individuals. More information on criteria can be found by clicking here.

Testing availability is subject to change and testing is by appointment only. Please visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/ or coronavirus.lacity.org/testing for the full list of testing sites and the most up-to-date information on availability.