Watch: Gavin Newsom discusses help for homeless during coronavirus in West Sacramento
Gov. Gavin Newsom discussed help for homeless Californians during the coronavirus pandemic at a Friday news conference at a West Sacramento hotel. You can watch a recording of the livestream here or by clicking on the video below:
Newsom announced March 15 a plan to shelter the state’s vulnerable homeless population in largely vacant private motels and hotels across the state to protect them from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
The virus is most dangerous for elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. A January 2019 count estimated 5,570 homeless people were living in Sacramento county, mostly sleeping outdoors and mostly in the city of Sacramento. About 30 percent of those sleeping outdoors were over age 50. About 20 percent were over 55.
There are so far no known positive cases of the virus in Sacramento County’s homeless population, county spokeswoman Janna Haynes said.
This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 11:34 AM.