Calif. governor thanks Trump for Mercy ship aid

The 1,000-bed U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy arrived in the Los Angeles area Friday morning and could be ready as early as Saturday to provide care to non-coronavirus patients in order to ease the crush on hospitals.

The Mercy departed San Diego on Monday bound for Los Angeles. Doctors will be able to perform surgery in nine operating rooms and the ship will be able to care for intensive care patients.

Mercy pulled into port one day after Los Angeles saw a 50% jump in coronavirus cases.

"I want to just want to thank the president, personally, on behalf of a grateful region, on behalf of a grateful state for sending this ship and the incredible resources that reside within this ship to the state of California," Governor Gavin Newsom said during a briefing Friday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will also deploy eight Army field hospitals to the state with a 2,000-bed capacity to also treat non-coronavirus patients, Sen Dianne Feinstein, D-California, announced.

Los Angeles officials announced plans Monday to expand testing for the coronavirus as authorities closed more beach parking lots to prevent the pandemic's spread after large groups flocked to the coast and mountains to get some fresh air on the first weekend since the state's stay-at-home order took effect.

City and county officials said they had contracted with a South Korean company to be able to test up to 5,000 people a day by Friday, significantly ramping up an effort that has lagged nationwide amid the outbreak.

The announcement came as public health officials re-emphasized the need for all but essential workers, or people shopping for food, getting medications or visiting the doctor, to stay home and keep their distance from others.

Confirmed coronavirus cases in California reached more than 4,200 on Friday and at least 85 deaths, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Actual figures on confirmed cases are much higher but tens of thousands of tests have yet to be processed.

State officials have been preparing for a potential surge in hospitalizations as the virus continues to spread.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.