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COVID outbreaks increase at L.A. County schools after mask mandate lifted

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Simply weeks after the varsity masks mandate was lifted in California, Los Angeles County is seeing a rise at school coronavirus outbreaks, well being authorities stated Thursday.

There have been 14 faculty outbreaks reported within the county within the seven-day interval ending April 5, together with 12 at elementary colleges and two at excessive colleges, in keeping with the L.A. County Division of Public Well being.

“We’ve greater than tripled the variety of new outbreaks at colleges this previous week, and we’re seeing comparable numbers of outbreaks to what we skilled through the omicron surge,” L.A. County Well being Director Barbara Ferrer warned.

The rise in outbreak numbers is probably going tied to the elevated unfold of the extremely contagious BA.2 omicron subvariant, in addition to the lifting of indoor masking necessities at colleges and the change within the state’s quarantine steering, Ferrer stated.

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California state officers and L.A. County dropped faculty masking necessities after March 11, although the face coverings remained strongly advisable.

The L.A. Unified Faculty District adopted swimsuit on March 23, permitting college students and academics to shed their masks indoors in school rooms as district officers stated the provision of vaccines had “modified the sport.”

Restrictions have been eased all through the state as case numbers have been declining following the omicron-fueled winter surge.

Now, L.A. County’s COVID-19 charges are starting to degree off and case numbers are not declining.

Ferrer stated that whereas the variety of faculty outbreaks is comparatively low, it’s “regarding” as a result of it means there’s extra virus transmission on campuses.

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L.A. County authorities have additionally been seeing a better variety of instances related to latest outbreaks, Ferrer stated.

In a single instance, a currently-active COVID-19 outbreak at a highschool started with 26 instances and has since grown to 60 instances.

The excellent news is that well being officers have observed that the rise in outbreaks isn’t linked to a spike in coronavirus check positivity.

And since L.A. County’s emergence from the winter surge, there hasn’t been an uptick in instances amongst workers and college students at colleges.

Nonetheless, well being authorities are advising mother and father to have their youngsters masks up at college, even when it’s not required. And colleges are being advised to enhance air flow, monitor individuals for COVID-19 signs, make certain individuals uncovered are examined and never permitting those that check optimistic to return to high school.

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Well being authorities have additionally been pushing for extra individuals to get vaccinated and boosted, with Ferrer warning that outbreaks are extra widespread within the decrease grades, the place there are sometimes a lot decrease vaccination charges for kids.

“Ought to we proceed to see will increase within the variety of outbreaks at colleges we’re going to work with our faculty companions to find out what further security measures are warranted for these colleges that have on web site transmission,” Ferrer stated.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Alleged street takeover crash leaves woman dead in South Los Angeles 

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Alleged street takeover crash leaves woman dead in South Los Angeles 

A woman was killed after a collision involving vehicles leaving a reported street takeover in L.A.’s Willowbrook neighborhood. 

According to preliminary information, the crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday at El Segundo Boulevard and South Central Avenue. 

At least one of the vehicles involved was associated with a street takeover convoy that was leaving the area, witnesses said. 

Video taken shortly after the crash obtained by KTLA shows a wrecked black Infiniti sedan that had come to rest on a sidewalk along South Central Boulevard; the other vehicle involved, a black Scion hatchback, sustained heavy damage and was found at the corner of El Segundo and South Central. 

The victim is an unidentified woman, stringer service RMGNews reported. It is not known if she was associated with the alleged street takeover. 

It also remains unclear if there were any injuries or if any arrests were made.

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KTLA has reached out to law enforcement for more information but have yet to hear back.

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Los Angeles, Ca

UCLA student sexually assaulted in dorm room, suspect at large

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UCLA student sexually assaulted in dorm room, suspect at large

A suspect remains at large after a student was sexually assaulted while she was sleeping in her dorm room at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The incident happened early Friday at around 2:40 a.m. as the female student was sleeping in her room located in the Saxon Suites, according to the UCLA Police Department.

The suspect entered the student’s room and sexually assaulted her while she was in bed, officials said. He then ran out of the building and fled the area in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s. He has a heavy set build, a curly beard and was last seen wearing all-black clothing and a beanie.

  • The Saxon Residential Suite dorm rooms on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. (KTLA)
  • The Saxon Residential Suite dorm rooms on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. (KTLA)
  • The Saxon Residential Suite dorm rooms on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. (KTLA)
  • The Saxon Residential Suite dorm rooms on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. (KTLA)
  • The Saxon Residential Suite dorm rooms on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles. (KTLA)
  • A UCLA Police Department patrol car seen on the University of California, Los Angeles campus. (KTLA)
  • UCLA Police Department patrol cars are seen on the University of California, Los Angeles campus. (KTLA)
  • Students participating in an activity near Royce Hall on the UCLA campus on March 11, 2020. (Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images)
  • Students walk through the UCLA campus in Westwood. (Credit: Los Angeles Times)
  • An undated file photo shows the UCLA campus. The UCLA Foundation has announced a $5-million gift for scholarships, COVID-19 emergency support, mental health services and other student needs. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

It’s unclear how the man was able to enter the dorm room or the building. The victim was medically treated at the scene.

Students were alerted of the assault Friday morning and many said they now feel uneasy.

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“They sent the police report saying a girl was assaulted while sleeping which is very frightening, especially for me as a young woman,” said Chantal de la Cruz, a UCLA student. “I’ve been living here for a year and the [crime] reports we usually get are burglary reports and they’re outside of the campus, so this is a huge shock for everybody. A lot of students don’t feel safe.”

Tips from UCLA police to stay safe on campus include:

  • Always be alert and aware of your surroundings
  • Report any suspicious activity to the police
  • Do not leave doors to buildings propped open
  • Secure your residence by locking all windows and doors
  • Avoid poorly lit or deserted areas when walking at night
  • Utilize the UCLA Safe Ride Service and UCPD CSO evening escorts
  • Callin 911 for emergencies or UCLA PD’s 24-hour line at 310-825-1491

The incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to call UCLAPD at 310-825-1491. Anonymous tips can be provided by calling 310-794-5824.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Hit-and-run suspect arrested after shooting at officers during Anaheim pursuit 

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Hit-and-run suspect arrested after shooting at officers during Anaheim pursuit 

A hit-and-run suspect was arrested after reportedly shooting at officers during a pursuit in Anaheim Friday.

The suspect was identified as Milton Urquiza Cruz, 31, of San Pedro, according to the Anaheim Police Department.

At around 3:45 p.m., an officer witnessed Cruz involved in a hit-and-run crash. As the officer tried to pull Cruz over, he refused to stop and sped away, leading police on a pursuit.

During the chase, Cruz struck a patrol vehicle and pointed a firearm at the officer who was following him, authorities said.

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Officers opened fire on Cruz in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant located in the 1100 block of North State College Boulevard.

Cruz was not hit and continued driving away. A second officer-involved shooting occurred on State College Boulevard near the 91 freeway.

The suspect was still not deterred and continued driving away until a PIT maneuver in the 2800 block of East Virginia Street finally stopped his vehicle.

Cruz was taken into custody at the scene. Neither the suspect nor any officers were struck by gunfire and a firearm was later recovered from Cruz’s vehicle, police said.

Cruz was arrested on multiple charges including:

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  • Assault on a peace officer
  • Possession of a firearm by a felon or prohibited person
  • Possession of ammunition by a felon or prohibited person
  • Felony evading
  • Misdemeanor hit-and-run
  • Felony arrest warrant

The incident remains under investigation by homicide detectives. Following the investigation, the case “will be presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the officers’ actions were lawful,” officials said.

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