Los Angeles County is stepping up its fight against COVID-19, particularly focusing on the city's homeless population. As the county reports a rise in COVID-19 cases to 19,528 and 913 deaths, initiatives are being implemented to curb the spread within vulnerable communities.
Freelancer Matteo Ghidoni visited Skid Row, one of L.A.'s most challenging neighborhoods, where over 5,000 homeless individuals have benefited from a pop-up testing station offering free COVID-19 tests. This initiative aims to provide accessible healthcare and prevent further transmission of the virus.
In an exclusive interview, Los Angeles Mayor Erick Garcetti shared insights into the collaborative efforts between the city and County Public Health. \"I am very proud of those numbers, nearly 300 over the last three days, and we are just going to keep doing that,\" Garcetti stated. The mayor emphasized the importance of moving people off the streets and into spaced shelters, with over 1,000 beds now available.
The establishment of walk-up testing centers in densely populated encampments, such as Skid Row, has been a critical component of this strategy. By making testing readily available in areas with high concentrations of homeless residents, the city aims to identify and isolate cases more effectively, mitigating the spread of COVID-19 within these communities.
Matteo Ghidoni's coverage highlights the persistent efforts of Los Angeles County officials to address the pandemic's impact on all segments of society, especially those most at risk.
Reference(s):
Story of Fighting COVID-19: Free testing for the homeless in LA
cgtn.com
