Corona danger threatens homeless California state races to avoid disaster

California authorities are racing against time to protect the large number of homeless people in this state from the emerging Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic, with warnings that the virus could not be contained if it spread to this group.

"There is great fear and anxiety, especially among people who care about the most vulnerable groups, among whom there are likely to be other health problems," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said during an emergency session of the federal court on the subject.

The session related to a lawsuit filed by a group of shop owners, residents and others concerned about the miserable conditions faced by the homeless in the streets or in their cars in the city center.

The number of homeless people in California is 150,000, the largest in the world. 60,000 of them live in Los Angeles.

State Governor Gavin Newsom has warned that about 60,000 homeless people in California, in the western United States, may be infected with the virus. He confirmed that $ 150 million will be allocated to protect this category.

Two thirds of this amount will go to local authorities to support shelters and emergency housing, while the rest is used to purchase mobile homes and rent rooms in hotels, Newsom explained.

"Helping these residents is vital to protecting public health and slowing the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic," he added.

The virus has caused one death among the homeless in California, but aid groups and activists warn that numbers could rise if the virus spreads.

"We are working hard for people to be safe," said Georgia Bikrovich, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit "Midnight Mission" in Los Angeles.

Berkowitz warned that with other NGOs and churches cutting their meals due to the restrictions imposed by the virus and instructions on home sickness, the condition of those will get worse, with a shortage of sterilization materials and gloves making it difficult for her organization to work, she said.

Garcetti said on Friday that more than a thousand beds have been provided in eight shelters and more are expected in 13 entertainment centers in the city.

The World Health Organization announced on Tuesday that there is a very significant acceleration in the number of cases of corona in the United States.

A WHO spokeswoman warned that the United States could become a hub for the outbreak of the virus.

The organization has warned that 85% of Corona infections over the past 24 hours are from Europe and the United States.

Johns Hopkins University recorded the number of corona virus deaths in the United States to 573 people and infections to 41,708.