LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Same-day or next-day testing is now available for Los Angeles city and county residents who report having symptoms of the coronavirus.
Mayor Eric Garcetti said because the city and county now have enough test kits, individuals will not be prioritized based on risks associated with the virus.
People who had underlying health conditions or those who are 65 and older were selected to be tested first before Tuesday.
“We now have enough capacity that we don't have to have any prioritization,” Garcetti said during his daily coronavirus briefing Wednesday. “It's great news for anybody who's feeling under the weather and has the symptoms of COVID-19.”
People can sign up for tests at coronavirus.lacity.org/testing, and that portal is open to Los Angeles city and county residents.
There were 257 new coronavirus cases among Los Angeles residents confirmed Tuesday, increasing the total to 4,462. There were 698 new cases confirmed in Los Angeles County, raising the total to 10,075.
There were also 46 new deaths reported throughout the county, the largest single-day jump in fatalities since the pandemic began. The number of county fatalities from the coronavirus is 366.
As the city's Safer at Home orders were recently extended by Garcetti to May 15, he said the relaxed parking laws will also be extended to that date.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation is not issuing citations to people who don't move their cars on street sweeping days, and non-metered parking limits in residential areas are also not being enforced.
Commercial areas and parking near businesses deemed essential by the Safer at Home orders will still be enforced. Examples of the relaxed parking laws are available at ladot.lacity.org/coronavirus
Garcetti also announced financial relief grants will be made available to artists who are struggling through the pandemic, and the city's Department of Cultural Affairs has compiled a list of “arts resources.”
The emergency relief grants are for people whose shows were canceled or if they experienced other hardship due to the pandemic, Garcetti said.
The first round of funding is only available if people apply by May 1, and artists can visit culturela.org for more information.
Garcetti said he would speak more during Wednesday's coronavirus briefing about the city's plans to start scaling back the coronavirus orders once the pandemic subsides.