Coronavirus updates: South Pas grows to 188 cases

Story by Tiger Staff

Follow this page for updates on the coronavirus within South Pasadena and nearby communities. This page will be updated with the most relevant information as events unfold.

Jul. 14:

• 132nd Tournament of Roses Parade announces cancellation of events due to coronavirus concerns

Jul. 13:

• Coronavirus case increase prompts statewide reclosing of businesses

Jul. 4:

• South Pasadena reworks traditional Fourth of July in light of social distancing
  • Festival of Art replaces Festival of Balloons, with SPARC collaborating with city to create art on Mission Street
  • Fireworks banned in South Pasadena based on countywide public health mandate
  • D.U.D.E.S performs at individual houses for donations to support “Back2School” initiative

June 22:

• City hall reopens its doors in compliance with L.A. County health guidelines

June 18:

• California mandates residents to cover their faces with face coverings in public areas

June 17:

• South Pasadena prolongs local state of emergency
• City prepares to launch outdoor sidewalk Al Fresco Dining Program

June 7:

• Protests raise concern over increased coronavirus cases in L.A.

May 17:

• South Pasadena reaches 110 coronavirus cases

May 14:

• Congresswoman Judy Chu briefs the city on the national coronavirus response

May 9:

• City council votes down a staff amendment requiring tenants to document proof of financial hardship to qualify for coronavirus tenant protections

May 6:

• The City and community organizations mobilize homeless outreach amidst the coronavirus
• South Pasadena rapidly approaches 100 cases, consisting in large part of a local care center
• South Pas plans to reopen parts of the local economy in coming days

Apr. 29:

• L.A. confirms six deaths and 74 coronavirus cases in South Pasadena
• California State Senator Anthony Portantino briefs city council on the state’s response to the outbreak

Apr. 22:

• South Pas soars past 50 cases, with a large share of cases from a local nursing home

Apr. 17:

• South Pas spikes to 21 coronavirus cases

Apr. 15:

• City Council hosts coronavirus department update broadcast

Apr. 14:

• South Pas confirmed to have 17 coronavirus cases

Apr. 12:

• South Pas Trader Joe’s temporarily closes as Crew Members test positive for coronavirus
  • Will reopen on Apr. 15

Apr. 11

• South Pasadena faces new total of 15 confirmed cases in the city

Apr. 10:

• SPUSD enacts emergency grading policy
  • SPHS students may choose between letter grades and Credit/No Credit grading
  • SPHS students are guaranteed fourth quarter grades equal or greater than their third quarter grades
  • All SPMS students will receive Credit/No Credit grades
  • All late work will be accepted without penalty, district-wide
• L.A. County confirms twelfth case in South Pas

Apr. 7:

• Testing becomes available to all L.A. County residents who show symptoms
• 11th case confirmed in South Pasadena

Apr. 6:

• South Pasadena reaches 10 cases

Apr. 4:

• South Pasadena jumps to nine confirmed cases

Apr. 3:

• Rio Hondo League cancels spring season games
• CIF cancels all 2020 spring playoff events

Apr. 1:

• SPUSD closes schools and facilities through the end of the school year
  • Online instruction will replace in-person instruction for this school year
• L.A. County confirms two more cases in South Pasadena, totaling seven cases

Mar. 29:

• L.A. County confirms South Pasadena’s fifth case

Mar. 27:

• SPHS cancels annual senior Yosemite trip; Activities Director Casey Shotwell to coordinate refunds

Mar. 26:

• L.A. County confirms South Pasadena’s fourth case

Mar. 22:

• L.A. County confirms a third case in South Pasadena, just one day after the second case

Mar. 21:

• L.A. County confirms South Pasadena’s second case

Mar. 20:

• Superintendent Dr. Geoff Yantz notified families that SPUSD would follow the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s recommendation to extend school closures to May 5. SPHS athletics will remain suspended until school resumes.

Mar. 19:

• A 34-year old died after testing positive for the coronavirus while hospitalized at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena

Mar. 18:

• City enacts temporary tenant protections and declares local emergency

Mar. 17:

• SPPD suspends all overnight parking enforcement through Apr. 30
• CIF defers spring season decision to Friday, Apr. 3
• Griffins of Kinsale closed after violating L.A. County social distancing measures
• City Council meeting agenda updated to include recommendations to:
  • Adopt regulations for private and public facilities and gatherings
  • Establish protections for residential and commercial tenants and property owners

Mar. 16:

• City orders some businesses to close to the public due to the outbreak, including:
  • Bars and nightclubs
  • Dine-in restaurants (takeout and delivery are still permitted)
  • Entertainment venues
  • Gyms and fitness studios
• City to proclaim a “local emergency” following the coronavirus outbreak at a Special City Council Meeting on Mar. 18
• SPUSD tells faculty to prepare for online learning following the extended spring break
• L.A. County confirms South Pasadena’s first case, and Huntington Hospital treats two patients with coronavirus
• The 2020 Arcadia Invitational has been canceled, while the Rio Hondo League directors are still in discussion on how, if at all, to proceed with the spring season

Mar. 14:

• SPUSD announces free daily meal program to last from Mar. 16 to Mar. 27
  • Any child under 18 is eligible for a free meal
  • Walk-through and drive-through service available at 1327 Diamond Avenue

Mar. 13:

• City closes all facilities to slow the spread of the coronavirus, excluding those required to remain open by law
  • Council chambers will remain open to the public during City Council meetings
  • The Cultural Heritage Commission, Planning Commission, and Design Review Board will remain open to facilitate approval of projects 
• SPUSD extends all school spring break, will now last from Mar. 15 to Apr. 3.
• City cancels CampMed after school program
• Marengo and Arroyo Vista Outdoor Science School trips canceled
• SAT at Wilson High School confirmed to be postponed
  • Students should call College Board directly to refund and reschedule their SAT date
• Pasadena Public Library will close its doors and cancel events until further notice

Mar. 12:

• SPHS schedule for Friday, Mar. 13, to be an all-day schedule
• SPUSD extends spring break by five days and moves it to Mar. 16 through Mar. 27 in email to parents
• In its first response to the virus, the City is canceling some events and closing some facilities, including the library and senior center
• SPHS administrators and SPUSD Superintendent Dr. Geoff Yantz held an emergency meeting to discuss ways to respond to the virus
• CIF canceled all remaining winter sports championship games

Mar. 11:

SPUSD canceled events, enacted social distancing measures, and Pasadena confirmed its first case

• All large public events have been canceled or postponed
• District-sponsored out-of-state travel has been canceled or postponed
• Field trips through May 1 have been canceled indefinitely
• All visitors will be turned away from SPUSD campuses, including volunteers
• Parent conferences will be held via phone or an alternate method
• Spectators will not be allowed to watch school sports games