Culver City Observer -

In an attempt to limit the spread of Covid-19 in courthouses, the Los Angeles County Superior Court announced Wednesday that it would extend the time for criminal trials and Juvenile Dependency matters.

Los Angeles County, which has escaped the kind of coronavirus statistics seen in greater New York, has recently seen diagnosed cases skyrocket to around 5000 per day. The County has closed restaurants, which had only allowed outdoor dining, in an attempt to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

Litigants are urged to socially distance in courthouses, and wash their hands frequently. LA Superior Court presiding judge Kevin Brazile, said that he acted under emergency powers granted by the State Supreme Court.

Covid has a death rate of around 2.1% of diagnosed cases worldwide. About 8% of all diagnosed cases are accompanied with serious enough symptoms to require hospitalization. LA County has only around 11,000 ICU beds for 10,000,000 people. Authorities fear the medical system could be overwhelmed and are desperate to lower the rate of infection.