CAlifornia

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases that have inundated ICUs, the Southern California county is also asking ambulance crews to conserve bottled oxygen.

Hospital officials in San Jose are investigating whether an inflatable costume contributed to an emergency department outbreak. One hospital employee died after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement during an online conversation about the pandemic with Dr. Anthony Fauci, but he offered little additional information about the circumstances of the diagnosis.

Coronavirus cases in the state have skyrocketed over the last two months, and the ICU capacity is now zero in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state has 60 refrigerated units available if needed. He also said that 5,000 body bags were distributed to some of the hardest-hit counties.

When the coronavirus hit, thousands of unsheltered people in the state were moved into hotels under a plan known as "Project Roomkey." Now many are ending up back on the street.

The Labor Day 2019 blaze aboard the Conception killed 33 passengers and one crew member. Prosecutors say the vessel's captain failed to follow safety rules.

Most of California is under the state's highest risk-level assessment, restricting most indoor activities and gatherings.