Coronavirus California: Gov. Gavin Newsom teases update on timeline for reopening economy
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a press conference Monday that he will give an update Wednesday on a possible timeline to reopen California amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
As of Monday, there are 30,978 confirmed COVID-19 cases in California. More than 1,200 people have died. Hospitalizations climbed by 1.9% since Sunday and ICU hospitalizations went up by 2.8%.
Newsom wasn't ready to give an update on when the state might begin to roll back shelter-in-place restrictions and begin reopening. He said more clarity would come Wednesday.
"I know how impatient people are, but I cannot express more gratitude for the incredible and heroic work all of you have done to soften the blow of this virus so far in the state of California," Newsom said. "I'm as eager as you to answer the question 'when' and on Wednesday we'll have more clarity."
Before making any decision on reopening, Newsom said he'd continue to evaluate the state's progress on six key criteria. (Read more on the criteria here.)
Newsom also announced an initiative on Monday to support California students in his daily update on the spread of novel coronavirus in the state.
Newsom opened the press conference by introducing his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who said she has been working with business leaders and philanthropic partners to distribute 70,000 laptops, Google Chromebooks and tablets for students in need around the state starting this week.
"Because of these commitments, hundreds of thousands of families will help cross the digital divide," said Siebel Newsom. "Our mission will not end until every child in California has what they need to continue learning while physically distanced."
This latest announcement builds on previous pledges by Google to donate 4,000 Chromebooks and open up 100,000 free WiFi hot spots and by Apple to donate 10,000 iPads.
Gov. Newsom said Google's hot spots would start to come online in the first week of May.
We'll be streaming Newsom's press conference Wednesday on abc7news.com, Facebook and YouTube.
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