This article was updated prior to publication with the following information: The Whittier Area had 4,866 new SARS COV 2 infections this week, only 144 short of the 5,000 mark. There were 30 deaths in the whole Whittier Area this week. Half of the weeks new infections were in just two communities: City of Whittier and Pico Rivera. The City of Whittier had 928 new infections this week while Pico Rivera had 960. The City of Whittier this week faced more COVID 19 caused deaths than any of the other communities of the Whittier Area with 8 deaths being in the City of Whittier. The second highest number was in South Whittier which had 6. The City of Whittier accounting for nearly a third of the Whittier Area's weekly COVID death count.
On the positivity ratio front, the City of Whittier went from 16% to 18% during the week and other communities in the Whittier Area also saw similar spikes in their positivity ratio. The increase means that City of Whittier residents are now more likely than not to test positive for the SARS COV 2 virus which makes it absolutely essential for everyone to wear masks while within the city's limits. For the first time, every single Whittier Area community saw a substantial increase in its positivity ratio. Residents of South Whittier and West Whittier are now at least 21% likely to test positive for the SARS COV 2 virus. City residents are 18% likely to test positive which is a higher risk than it was in September when it was closer to just 9% or 10%. That means the risk factor in that community had doubled in the last 3 months.
Normally we would give you an update on the national situation with what is happening on the federal and state wide front but since those levels of government are currently in gridlock and the sitting President has abandoned his country to entertain plots of coups against the Constitution, we will instead bring you some local news on the subject. We start first with a report we spotted on the website of KNX 1070, a new radio station found on the AM dial of your radio and very good source of real news unlike CNN, Fox, Washington Post or LA Times.
KNX 1070 radio is reported on Friday that Whittier resident Vanessa Gonzalez passed away one month after giving birth. Because she had tested positive for SARS COV 2, the virus that causes COVID 19, Gonzalez was never able to hold her youngest child and was not even able to be in the same room with her. According to KNX, she was only able to see her daughter on facetime on her iphone. The Whittier resident died of a heart attack caused by the SARS COV 2 viruses' attack on muscles in the heart.
Her family has established a go fund me page at: gofundme.com/f/vanessa-cardenas-gonzalez-memorial?utm_
At this time all parks in the City of Whittier are officially closed according to the city's website. The only exception we found was the dog park where masks are mandatory and the Greenway Trail. City Hall is open but masks are required for anyone who enters the building. Libraries are open only for curbside drop off and pickup. The Central Library closed before the pandemic due to renovations that was long overdue and most of the facility's books were relocated to the old bus depot but the curbside pick up and drop off rule still applies. You can contact the library for more information.
In his most recent update dated to December 10, Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said that cases had been going up in the city. He called on local residents to persevere through the current surge. The city has also begun providing economic assistance to all local businesses located in the City of Whittier. It has previously been confined to just restaurants but was expanded to cover other businesses as well. The funds the city is able to offer aren't a lot but they are intended to provide what help the city is able to provide with its very limited funds. Vinatieri called on Whittier residents to follow all health directives, particularly wearing of masks.
In the meantime, Whittier Area daily infection numbers remain above 700.
The daily new infections:
Pico Rivera 143 new cases
City of Whittier 134 new cases
South Whittier and La Habra each had 98 new cases
Hacienda Heights 65 new cases
However when you look at the trending graph there appear to be signs the surge is starting to stabilize in the Whittier Area but more data is needed on that. 5,000 is lot of people and kind of depressing. There has got to be something more positive going on in your communities. Tell us about your holiday experiences this year and we will publish them on Whittier 360 on Christmas Day. We are also taking submissions of Christmas tree pictures that will also be published on Christmas Day. Pictures should be accompanied by a good story to go along with them. Of course if you want credit for your picture you should probably include your name and what part of the Whittier Area you reside in.
Comments