California heat wave raises coronavirus concerns

In this Sunday, July 12, 2020, file photo, visitors crowd the beach in Santa Monica, Calif., amid the coronavirus pandemic. California faces a heatwave Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, that could bring dangerously high temperatures throughout the state, along with the threat of wildfires and spreading coronavirus infections as people flock to beaches and recreation areas. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

LOS ANGELES — California is withering under a heatwave that has brought dangerously high temperatures, increased wildfire danger, and fears of coronavirus spread as people flock to beaches and recreation areas.

High-pressure building over Western states pushed temperatures into triple digits across the state by midday Friday.

Los Angeles opened cooling centers, but with limited capacity because of coronavirus social distancing requirements.

Health officers were worried that people will pack beaches, lakes, and other recreation areas without following mask and social distancing orders — a major concern in a state that has seen more than 600,000 coronavirus cases.

Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, told the San Francisco Chronicle that Israel saw a COVID-19 resurgence after a May heatwave inspired school officials to let children remove their masks.

“People will want to take off their masks when it’s hot,” Rutherford said. “Don’t do it.”