Santa Clarita, Lancaster and Palmdale ask to possibly reopen sooner than other parts of L.A. County

People vote at an early voting station for the special election between Democratic state assemblywoman Christy Smith and Republican businessman and ex-Navy pilot Mike Garcia to replace former Democratic Congresswoman Katie Hill in the state’s 25th Congressional District, in Lancaster, Calif. on May 10, 2020. (MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images)

by: Los Angeles Times

Posted: May 16, 2020 / 11:45 AM PDT

Updated: May 16, 2020 / 11:45 AM PDT

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Even as coronavirus deaths and new cases continue to rise, Los Angeles County officials offered more insights Friday into what it would take to further reopen a local economy devastated by the pandemic.

L.A. County remains the epicenter of the novel coronavirus in the state, with more than 1,700 deaths and more than 35,000 confirmed cases. On Friday alone, officials announced 962 more cases and 47 additional deaths.

But like the rest of California, some areas of the county have seen far fewer cases and deaths than others. That’s why Los Angeles County officials are trying to determine whether it’s possible for individual cities that meet the benchmarks to move to the next stage of reopening before other parts of the county do.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Friday that the cities of Santa Clarita, Lancaster and Palmdale have approached the county to inquire about reopening and appear to meet Gov. Gavin Newsom’s criteria.

Read the full story at LATimes.com.