Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told that anecdote Wednesday as California reversed its economic reopening for much of the state in the wake of a resurgent COVID-19 outbreak. For the two-week period that ended last Monday, Californias confirmed coronavirus cases increased 45% to nearly a quarter-million and hospitalizations increased 52% to 5,077. Newsom's order affects Los Angeles and 18 other counties where nearly three-quarters of the states roughly 40 million people live. In Los Angeles County, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said many outbreaks were linked to parties and gatherings of family and friends. Newsoms order applies to 19 counties that have been on the states watch list for increasing coronavirus cases for at least three consecutive days.