Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia’s mother and stepfather are both on ventilators related the the coronavirus, he said Monday, July 13 — the same day the city announced its death toll death toll had reached 149 and the number of hospitalizations continues rising.
Garcia’s mother and step father recently tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and are currently hospitalized, Garcia said in an emailed newsletter and on Twitter.
While they are on ventilators — a forced breathing apparatus inserted down the airways while the patient is unconscious — Garcia said his mother and stepfather are in stable condition and receiving “heroic care” from hospital staff. “Stable condition” is a term typically, but not always, used to describe that the patient’s current state has not significantly changed or in flux.
“My mom is a healthcare worker,” Garcia said in a statement. “She’s worked in the same clinic for over 25 years and is incredibly careful and understands the seriousness of this virus.
“Thankfully, both are in stable condition and we hope for a full recovery,” he added. “They are both receiving heroic care from amazing doctors and nurses.”
Garcia and his husband, Matt, have not had any in-person interaction with them in weeks, the mayor said. Garcia and his husband both tested negative for the virus following a recent test.
“As a son, and as your Mayor, I promise to continue to lead us through this pandemic with resolve and compassion,” Garcia said. “Let’s keep our families healthy – and our city moving forward.”
Long Beach, meanwhile, announced on Monday that another four people had died from Coronavirus-related causes through Saturday, July 11.
The city also confirmed 370 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total through Saturday to 5,616 since the pandemic began. About 4,102 people — 73% of people who have tested positive — had recovered,the city said Monday.
Hospitalizations, though, also continue to climb. The city on Monday said 97 people were hospitalized as of Saturday, up from the 87 Long Beach reported to be hospitalized on Friday.
Increasing cases and hospitalizations prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday to announce statewide closures of several indoor operations, including indoor dining, gyms, churches, hair salons and malls. He also extended his July 1 order to once more close bars and indoor dining.
Long Beach, which has its own Health Department, announced on Monday evening that it will follow the governor’s direction and will issue an amended Safer at Home order that night.
