Posted by 
The city’s biggest testing site just got even bigger. Also this morning: another LAFD firefighter has died of COVID-19, a Long Beach hospital reopens, and the LA Rams make the playoffs. Finally, if you think more people were setting off fireworks in 2020, there are some numbers to back you up. It’s Monday. New year, same news brief. Take it!
Morning News Rundown
The city’s biggest testing site, located at Dodger Stadium, temporarily closed over the weekend as crews worked on an expansion project to increase traffic capacity. Testing at Dodger Stadium has reopened this morning with an additional parking lot that now allows for 600 more cars. [CBS Los Angeles]
advertisements
A second Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter has died of complications from COVID-19. Capt. George Roque, 57, passed away on New Year’s Eve. Roque is survived by his wife and four children, according to LAFD. [KTLA]
A Long Beach hospital that had been closed since 2018 has reopened to help ease the burden of COVID-19 patients currently flooding area healthcare facilities. Community Hospital Long Beach opened in 1924, but recently closed for a $6 million retrofit to meet current earthquake safety requirements. [CBS Los Angeles]
An LASD task force arrested 90 people at “superspreader” events across Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. Raids took place at multiple venues including rented homes, vacant warehouses, hotels, and shuttered businesses throughout the county. [ABC 7]
The LA Rams squeaked into the playoffs on Sunday with a 18-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams (10-6) will face off against the Seattle Seahawks (12-4) in the wild-card round this Saturday. [ESPN]
If you feel like you heard more fireworks this year, you’re likely right—at least if you go by the number of fireworks-related service calls local residents made. According to LAPD data collected between January and November of 2020, the department received 9,600 fireworks service calls, a 130% increase from the same period in 2019. [Crosstown LA]
advertisements
