As of noon, March 16

The first known case of coronavirus, or COVID-19, has been reported in the Crescenta Valley. Keith Hobbs, CEO of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, released a statement earlier today letting the public know that USC-VHH has admitted its first patient who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

“From the moment the patient came to the hospital, our staff followed protocol to ensure their safety and the safety of their colleagues and other patients. The patient is currently doing well, and we are working closely with local health authorities in regards to the patient’s continued isolation and next steps. I want to emphasize that we remain wholly committed to maintaining patient privacy,” stated Hobbs.

This afternoon, Supervisor Kathryn Barger held a press conference where she shared that she had ordered the closure of all bars and nightclubs, movie theaters and entertainment venues, bowling alleys and arcades and gyms and fitness centers. She added that all restaurants are to offer dine-out only.

Los Angeles County buildings have been closed. The regular weekly board meetings for March 17 and March 24 of the LA County supervisors have been canceled; the March 31 meeting is expected to be livestreamed. Gov. Gavin Newsom directed closure of California’s bars, brewpubs and wineries and called on people to stay at home who are over the age of 65 and those at high risk of serious complications from exposure to the virus.

All LA County libraries and museums are closed along with every school district in the county.

All LA County Park buildings and indoor facilities are closed to the public. All rentals at LA County Parks will be canceled through March 31. No new reservation dates are being accepted. Park locations will remain open as outdoor-only facilities from dawn until dusk. Senior lunch program is temporarily suspended.

As of noon today, March 16, there have been 94 cases of coronavirus in LA County reported with one death resulting. This includes cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena Health departments.

Several events have been canceled; a list is included below:

La Crescenta/Crescenta Valley:

*March 21 La Crescenta Woman’s Club Fashion Show

*March 25 Smart-a-Thon

Montrose:

*Sundays – Harvest Market at least through the end of March

*April 18 – As of March 13, the Montrose Wine Walk is still going on as scheduled.

*March 29 – Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce has postponed its Montrose Craft Beer Fest 2020

Glendale:

Glendale is currently holding an emergency City Council meeting to discuss the city’s response to COVID-19.

As of March 16 at 4 p.m. no one has tested positive for COVID-19 in Glendale. In an abundance of caution the City of Glendale has decided to cancel or postpone several events and locations including:

*March 20 Ascencia “Celebrating the Superhero in All of Us” Annual Gala

All Glendale city sponsored events and activities are canceled through the end of March, regardless of size. Private events being held at City facilities with 50 or more participants will also be canceled through the end of March.

Also closed are:

Glendale City’s Adult Softball/Basketball Leagues

Glendale Senior Centers

Glendale Pacific Park Pool

Note that the school meal distribution plan for the congregate meals programs will not be affected.

 Churches:

*St. George’s Episcopal Church has canceled worship services from March 15 through “at least” March 22. Sunday’s vestry meeting has also been canceled.

*Montrose Church has moved its weekend services online. Effectively immediately all gatherings organized by the church are canceled through the end of March.

*La Cañada Presbyterian Church has canceled Sunday morning worship services for the remainder of March. In lieu of worship on campus the church will have livestream worship available. Children’s Ministry Musical has been postponed, Parent Education Classes have been canceled for the next two weeks and the annual congregational meeting scheduled for March 29 is also postponed.

*Lutheran Church of the Foothills has also moved to online worship.

Schools:

La Cañada High School: La Cañada Unified School District has closed schools through March 23. For those who are on free and reduced lunch within LCUSD, the district will be serving “grab and go” lunches from the La Cañada High School cafeteria for the duration of the closure. Letters have been sent to the students who are participating in the program.

Glendale Unified District:

The district has canceled sports games, performances and rehearsals/practices through April 13. Spring break is from March 16 to March 22 and an in-house service day for staff is on March 23. From March 24 to March 27 teachers will be preparing how to deliver instruction from a distance. It is also extended student spring break. The week of March 30 – April 3, students will receive instruction from a distance; more detailed information will be coming on how to access this instruction.

Below is a statement from GUSD:

“The state’s public health experts have determined that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person.

“We have already begun implementing social distancing measures across Glendale Unified School District. All open house events this week have been postponed and we will be livestreaming our Scholastic Bowl event this evening in lieu of having a live audience.

“Following spring break and extending through mid-April, Glendale Unified is postponing all events and activities that bring large groups of students, adults and community members together, including open houses, assemblies and field trips. Alternate approaches to these events, which limit close contact, may include conducting assemblies via intercom announcements or conducting events online. Specific details about district events will follow in the coming weeks. Principals will provide their communities with information about events at our schools. We will reassess the situation in the coming weeks and determine if additional postponements or cancelations will be required.”

Pasadena:

The 2020 Pasadena Showcase House of Design has postponed its event until June 7-28.