Laguna Woods sees huge increase in COVID-19 cases – Orange County Register

Correlating with the nationwide trend, the city of Laguna Woods has seen a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases as 2022 begins, rising from 601 cases to 740 cases on Monday, October 10. January, according to the OC Health Care Agency.

At least one other death has been recorded, counting a total of 60 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Village Management Services CEO Jeff Parker recorded the death during the regular meeting of the Golden Rain Foundation board on January 4.

“Fortunately, there was only one other death reported, so that’s positive news,” Parker said. “Possibly the impact of hospitalizations and people who get sick (rather than) the degree of death.”

Countywide, similar trends were shown for hospitalizations and ICU patients, with 964 people hospitalized as of Monday, January 10, 140 of whom required hospitalization. intensive care, according to an OCHCA report.

More than 22,000 new cases were reported over the weekend, up from nearly 15,000 cases reported at the end of the new year, including an extra day.

The latest adjusted daily case rate counts 108 new cases per day per 100,000 residents.

The positive rate of the test was 25.2% – the number of swab and spit tests that showed traces of the coronavirus. Health equity – trial positivity in disproportionately affected neighborhoods – was reported at a slightly higher 27%.

“We will keep our fingers crossed… and our blessings go out to everyone,” Parker said.

New Finance Committee

Director James Hopkins said GRF has approved a proposal to create an Investment Strategy Advisory Committee, which will support the board’s financial strategies for long-term investments, with prospects from two up to three years.

Discussions on forming a separate committee have been ongoing since 2019, aimed at setting the community’s agenda on investment strategies that will prioritize stability.

President Bunny Carpenter explains the uniqueness of the assembly team.

“It won’t be an emergency, because the ad hocs are temporary, and it will be like the audit team, meeting periodically,” she said.

Residents with experience in investment-related fields are eligible to join the committee, which will not be exclusive to council members, Carpenter said.

The Board of Directors unanimously approved the motion. Hopkins, Chairman of the GRF Finance Committee, will lead the committee’s panel.

Pool activities

GRF passed a resolution accepting a cost-effective proposal to modify pool operating hours, saving at least $37,000 per year.

The changes include reducing operating hours at Pools 1 and 4 to two hours per day, according to staff reports.

The original resolution, which proposed removing lifeguards at Group 2, was voted down by the council over safety concerns.

“It’s hard for me to believe that none of you think that getting rid of the lifeguard at Pool 2 is a problem,” said resident Rhoda Lindner, who recounted the drowning of a swimmer. got leg cramps at the end of Pool 4. “These things happen. Is it really worth that much?”

Staff found Group 2 to be the least used group, averaging 9,000 uses per year. In addition, the residents who often swim there are serious long-distance swimmers and tend to be in good physical health, according to staff reports.

“I am an excellent swimmer,” said resident Suzanne Frank. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t have a heart attack one day while I’m swimming alone.”

There is no law requiring lifeguards at private pools, VMS Entertainment and Special Events Manager Brian Gruner noted.

The Board of Directors passed an amended resolution, 9-1-1, keeping Group 2 lifeguards on duty. Resolutions are now subject to a 28-day notice requirement for member review.

Makeup yard

The GRF passed a resolution to accept a donation like a full-sized stadium, purchased by a group of residents using the horse boarding facility, to be added to the Equestrian Center so that all members use.

A court is a fenced arena, usually 20 meters by 60 meters, in which rider and horse perform a synchronized process from memory to demonstrate the horse’s athletic and communicative skills.

In contrast to Western equestrianism, the dress is rooted in British tradition and is often referred to as ‘ballet on horseback’.

As stated in the VMS staff report, the court – $1,200 endowment – will open the center to riders in disciplines other than Western-style and provide opportunities for horses to perform improved exercises. Improve muscle tone and condition.

The Council unanimously adopted the resolution. All riders have access to the testing ground.