A.M. Brief: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Fall Below 1,000 as County Moves Into Red Tier

The positive trend of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continues as Los Angeles County moves to a wider reopening phase. Can we keep it up? Also this morning: A protest in Little Tokyo against anti-Asian violence, new groups added to vaccine eligibility, and a police-protestor conflict on the anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death. It’s Monday. Here is your news brief. Take it!

Morning News Rundown

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in L.A. County has dipped below 1,000 for the first time since Nov. 23. With overall infection and positivity numbers dropping over the past few weeks, Los Angeles has now entered the red tier of reopening. Starting today, businesses such as museums, gyms, and movie theaters can all open at limited capacity. [L.A. Times]

Hundreds of people gathered in Little Tokyo on Saturday to protest the rise of anti-Asian racism and violence spreading throughout the country. A recent report by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino showed hate crimes against Asian-Americans increased by nearly 150% year-over-year from 2019 to 2020. [LAist]

Some Americans have already received their stimulus check, but if you’re a Chase or Wells Fargo customer, you’ll have to wait until at least Wednesday. Both banks announced they would be processing payments the same day (March 17) they receive funds from U.S. Treasury. If you want to check the status of your stimulus payment, you can do so on the IRS website. [Business Insider]

Starting today, Californians ages 16 to 64 with underlying health conditions or disabilities are eligible to be vaccinated. Additionally, new categories of workers will be added to the eligibility pool, including custodians, public transit workers, airport ground crews, social workers, and foster parents. [CBS Los Angeles]

Protestors marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor clashed with police on Saturday during a demonstration in Hollywood. Three officers and at least one protester were injured and 10 protesters were arrested. [L.A. Times]