Thread by @latimes, When it comes to the fight against coronavirus, L.A. county has seen [...]

When it comes to the fight against coronavirus, L.A. county has seen two major milestones—one positive, and one negative.

We'll walk you through them:

https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/los-angeles-county/

First, the good news.

The transmission rate in L.A. county—which is the nation’s most populous county—has fallen dramatically. Here's how that was achieved: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/la-county-coronavirus-transmission-rate-hits-lowest-levels

L.A. County achieves major coronavirus win as transmission rate hits lowest level

An increasing downturn in the daily number of new cases suggests the transmission number is slightly under 1, a milestone for L.A. County.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/la-county-coronavirus-transmission-rate-hits-lowest-levels

Another bit of good news: The use of hospital beds by COVID-19 patients is declining, according to this graph from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/la-county-coronavirus-transmission-rate-hits-lowest-levels

However, L.A. county health officials announced 46 new coronavirus-linked fatalities, pushing the region’s death toll past 2,000.

That's not the only depressing new figure: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/coronavirus-death-toll-tops-3-500-as-more-of-california-moves-to-reopen

L.A. County surpasses 2,000 coronavirus deaths: 'A very sad milestone'

The county's fatalities account for nearly 60% of the COVID-19 deaths in the state, which has recorded more than 3,500 deaths.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/coronavirus-death-toll-tops-3-500-as-more-of-california-moves-to-reopen

Meanwhile, California's economy is grinding back to life. But do consumers feel safe enough to come back? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/as-california-reopens-shops-will-see-if-customers-feel-confident-or-cautious

As California reopens, shops will see if customers feel confident or cautious

California is reopening, but anxious customers are slow to come back

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/as-california-reopens-shops-will-see-if-customers-feel-confident-or-cautious

Californians thrown out of work by the COVID-19 pandemic are still finding it hard to find aid, according to lawmakers

“We have never heard the kind of suffering that people are experiencing right now" https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/california-edd-unemployment-insurance-benefits-problems-legislature

California lawmakers say state unemployment help still isn't coming fast enough amid coronavirus

Legislators criticize the state Employment Development Department, citing phone and computer problems. Agency's director says incoming funding will help.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/california-edd-unemployment-insurance-benefits-problems-legislature

Which California counties are reopening? We've been tracking them here: https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/reopening-across-counties/

California reopening: Tracking progress across counties

To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/reopening-across-counties/

Here are the latest numbers in the state's coronavirus outbreak: https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/

California coronavirus cases: Tracking the outbreak

The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.

https://www.latimes.com/projects/california-coronavirus-cases-tracking-outbreak/

Latest Threads Unrolled: