Heat draws crowd to California beach amid outbreak

A spring heat wave drove an uptick of people to California beaches, golf courses and trails this weekend. That led to the closure of one coastal park as authorities warned people not to swarm recreational areas for fear of igniting a deadly coronavirus surge.

But fear of spreading the virus didn't stop people from visiting Huntington Beach in Orange County, California on Saturday.

With beach parking lots closed, visitors parked streetside and in nearby lots.

While most recreation remains shuttered under various stay-at-home orders, officials are wary that those still open could draw crowds that will ignore social distancing rules and seek sun and air after being mainly confined indoors for more than a month.

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.