>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF KPBS NEWS.

I'M MAYA.

IT'S BEEN A UNFORGIVING CYCLE FOR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.

OPEN, CLOSED, OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS, CLOSED DOWN AGAIN.

THIS WEEK, THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER ENDED ALLOWING SOME BUSINESSES TO GET BACK TO WORK.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL CAUGHT UP WITH A FEW WHO WEATHERED THE STORM.

>> NOW WE START OVER AGAIN.

>> Reporter: JEFF KASHA OWNS REDFORD RESTAURANT IN NORTH PARK AND HE CAN RETURN TO SERVING CUSTOMERS OUTDOORS.

HE'S NOT HAPPY AS YOU MIGHT THINK.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED THAT LED UP TO THIS POINT.

>> WHEN YOU OWN A RESTAURANT, YOU KNOW, AND THEY SHUT YOU DOWN, YOUR INVENTORY GOES DOWN.

YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES.

GIVE IT AWAY OR THROW IT AWAY.

SO, THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

SEVEN TIMES.

>> Reporter: KASHA WOULD HAVE BEEN READY TO GO WITH A TENT ON WHAT WAS PART OF THE PARKING LOT, BUT MOTHER NATURE DEALT A CRUEL PLOY ON MONDAY.

A TENT IS A CRUMPLED PILE OF TARP.

>> THERE IS WATER, THERE IS POLES, YOU KNOW.

THANK GOD NO ONE WAS IN THERE.

THANK GOD IT WAS AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING.

>> Reporter: KASHA IS FORTUNATE THAT REDFORDS HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME WITH A LOT OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

>> WE MISS SEEING OUR GUESTS DINE ON THE PREMISES.

>> STEVEN TORRES CO-OWNS POT PIE COMPANY IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, THOUGH HE'S HAPPY THAT CUSTOMERS WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THIS STREET DINING SPACE, HE HAS BEEN LUCKIER THAN MOST BECAUSE OF HIS BUSINESS MODEL.

>> TAKEOUT WAS BIG FOR US FROM THE GET GO.

TAKEOUT, DELIVERY.

>> Reporter: TORRES DIDN'T HAVE TO LAY OFF AND OF HIS EMPLOYEES.

EVEN SO, HE SAID, THE LAST 10 MONTHS WERE DIFFICULT.

>> IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY.

>> Reporter: THEN THERE ARE THE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED COMPLETELY SINCE THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER WAS ISSUED IN LATE NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.

HERE AT LONDON NAIL SPA IN POINT LOMA, THE LAST TIME THAT YOU WERE OPEN FOR BUSINESS, THEY WERE DOING IT IN A TENT HERE OUTSIDE.

NOW, WITH THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER LIFTED AND THE REQUIRED SAFETY MODIFICATIONS IN PLACE, THEY ARE READY TO WELCOME BACK CUSTOMERS.

>> I AM SO HAPPY.

I FEEL RELIEF.

>> Reporter: FOR SPA OWNER CINDY FAN, OPERATING LIKE THIS IS NOT ANYTHING LIKE IT WAS PREPANDEMIC.

SHE HAS TO SPACE APPOINTMENTS OUT FURTHER APART, MEANING LESS CUSTOMERS OVERALL.

THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IS TEMPERED BY WHAT SHE'S BEEN THROUGH.

>> WE'RE STILL IN THE BUBBLE.

WE DREW -- LET EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: FOR THESE SAN DIEGO BUSINESS OWNERS AND SO MANY THOUSANDS MORE LIKE THEM, THINGS ARE A LITTLE BETTER EVEN AS THE COVID ROLLER COASTER RIDE ROLLS ON.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE WILL BE SHOWCASING OUR LOCAL REPORTS THROUGHOUT THE NEWSCAST.

YOU CAN FIND OUR CONTENT ON THE TRACKING COVID-19 PAGE ON WWW.KPBS.ORG.

WE'RE UPDATING OUR LIVE BLOG WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND CASE NUMBERS.

>>> FOR MANY SAN DIEGO APS, FEBRUARY RENT IS DUE ON MONDAY.

THOSE WHO LOST INCOME DUE TO THE PANDEMIC ARE LIVING WITH THE STRESS OF LOSING THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

AS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS, THE CITY IS PROTECTING THEM WITH A STRONGER EVICTION MORATORIUM.

>> Reporter: PAST EVICTION MORATORIUMS CAME WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE THAT KEPT GETTING PUSHED BACK AS THE PANDEMIC MOVED ON.

THE MEASURE APPROVED ON TUESDAY HAS NO FIXED-END DATE AND WILL INSTEAD EXPIRE 60 DAYS AFTER THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IS LIFTED.

COUNCIL MEMBER VIVIAN MORENO SAID MANY BUSINESSES ARE STILL CLOSED AND PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK.

>> COMMUNITIES IN MY DISTRICT -- AND GO HUNT SOME OF THE HARDEST HIT.

AND WE NEED TO ENSURE RESIDENTS HAVE SOME SECURITY.

THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE A OFFICER OVER THEIR HEAD WHILE WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A STATEWIDE MORATORIUM THIS WEEK.

CITY OFFICIALS SAID THE LOCAL EVICTION BAN IS STILL NECESSARY AS AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION FOR STRUGGLING RENTERS.

COUNCIL MEMBER JOE LA CA VA SAID RESIDENTS AND LANDLORDS NEED CLARITY ON WHAT IS ALLOWED.

>> I DO ASK AS I HAVE MANAGED BY THE STAFF PRESENTATION, THAT WE MOVE QUICKLY TO PROVIDE EXPANDED EDUCATION IN OUTREACH AND A LEGAL SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THOSE NAVIGATING DIFFICULT BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM.

THE ORDNANCE IS NOT ENOUGH.

PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT ARE IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL ALSO VOTED TUESDAY TO KEEP THE HOMELESS SHELTER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER OPEN AT LEAST THROUGH THE END OF MARCH AT A COST OF MORE THAN $15 MILLION.

KEYLEE HALSEY IS THE CITY'S CHIEF OF HOMELESS STRATEGIES.

>> THIS PROJECT, WORTHWHILE SO FENCIVE.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SPENDING FUNDS ON THIS PROJECT CREATES OPPORTUNITIES.

THAT WILL NEVER HELP US -- STAY AVAILABLE TO SERVE OTHER WORTHY NEEDS.

>> Reporter: IN,ADUCTION TO THE EVICTION BAN AND THE SHELTER EXTENSION, THE CITY WILL DISTRIBUTE PER THAN $42 MILLION IN AID TO LOW-INCOME RENTERS, THANKS TO THE COVID-19 RELIEF BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS IN DECEMBER.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> ABOUT THAT CALIFORNIA BILL THAT ANDREW MENTIONED, IT WAS PEACED THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNED IT DURING A SPECIAL LIVE STREAM EVENT ON FRIDAY MORNING.

SAN DIEGO'S TONY ATKINS, THE LEADER OF THE STATE SENATE, HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> 82 GOING TO KEEP WORKING AS A TEAM AND WITH TENANT ADVOCATES, OTHER HOUSING STAKEHOLDERS, THE COLLEAGUES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO IDENTIFY AND UPPLEMENT OTHERAKS THAT WE CAN TAKE TO HELP STRUGGLEING CALIFORNIANS.

THE SENATE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE HOUSING SUPPLY AND HOUSING COSTS.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT REGARDING COVID-19 -- EVICTION SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

>> THE BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM EXTENDS EVICTION PROTECTIONS THROUGH JUNE AS LONG AS TENANTS PAY AT LEAST 25% OF THEIR RENT.

THOSE PROTECTIONS WERE SET TO EXPIRE THIS WEEKEND.

MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS WILL GO TOWARD RENT SUBSIDIES TO PAY PAST DUE RENT.

>>> AND NO YOU THAT THE STAY-AT- HOME ORDER IS LIFTED, THE FREE PASS ON PARKING IS ENDING.

PARKING RULES ARE BEING ENFORCED AND THAT INCLUDES STREET-SWEEPING RESTRICTIONS, METERED PARKING, TIME LIMITS AND YELLOW COMMERCIAL ZONES.

THEIR THEIR WILL BE A ONE-WEEK GRACE PERIOD WITH WARNINGS BEFORE THE CITY ISSUES TICKETS.

ALSO IS THE STAFF OF THE STATION ZOO, WHICH WILL REOPEN TO GUESTS THIS WEEKEND.

OUTDOOR ZOOS ARE ALLOWED TO REOPEN NOW THAT THE STAY-AT- HOME ORDER IS LIFTED.

THE OPERATIONS AT THE ZOO WILL BE SCALED BACK WITH LIMITED CAPACITY.

PHYSICAL ORS WILL NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION -- VISITORS WILL NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION AND WEAR FACE COVERINGS AT ALL TIMES.

SEA WORLD STATION PLANS TO OPEN SOON BUT NO SPECIFIC DATE HAS BEEN SET.

>>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, FOOT FOOD AND SECURITY HAS FRIEND ACROSS THE -- HAS GROWN ACROSS THE WORLD HERE AND IN SAN DIEGO.

AS PART OF OUR PANDEMIC PROFILE SERIES, KPBS REPORTER MAX RIVLIN-NADLER TELLS US ABOUT ONE MAN.

>> Reporter: THE 36-YEAR-OLD SAW THE LINES FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION GROWING DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I WAS SITTING AT HOME DURING THE LOCKDOWN WATCHING THE NEWS, AND I SAW A LINE OF CARS AT THE STADIUM.

I WAS WONDERING WHAT THEY WERE THERE FOR.

THEY SAID THE PEOPLE WERE THERE FOR A BOX OF FOOD.

>> Reporter: WILLIAMS DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

ALONG WITH FRIENDS, HE BEGAN COLLECTING FOOD.

>> AND WE SET UP TABLES IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND MADE HANDMADE SIGNS AND SAID TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.

THAT DAY, PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE CAME BY TO TAKE PICTURES OF IT THAN TO TAKE FOOD.

>> Reporter: ONCE WORD BEGAN TO SPREAD, THOSE IN NEED BEGAN TO SHOW UP.

BY SPRING, WILLIAMS MOVED TAKE WHAT YOU NEED TODAYS ON THE CORNER OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND FAIRMONT AVENUE WHERE IT RUNS FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M.

THERE, PEOPLE CAN PICK UP GROCERIES THEY NEED FOR THE WEEK, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

WILLIAMS GOES TO LOCAL GROCERY STORES TO SPEND DONATED MONEY ON THE GROCERY'S PEOPLE NEED.

>> IT TOOK ME GETTING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND BUILDING A RAPPORT AND RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MANAGERS AT GROCERY STORES TO GIVE ME A GOOD DEAL ON ITEMS AND TO SELL TO ME SOME OF THE GROCERY STORES THOUGHT THAT I WAS UP ORDER.

>> Reporter: WILLIAMS WHO WORKED IN INSURANCE BEFORE BEING LAID OFF HIM DURING THE PANDEMIC RECALLED HIS OWN UPBRINGING, DEALING WITH DAYS WHERE A SINGLE MOTHER DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR THE TWO OF THEM.

>> AS A CHILD, MY MOM AND I FOUND OURSELVES LIVING ON THE STREET, THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES.

I WAS VERY YOUNG.

AND THERE WAS A TIME WHERE WE NEEDED A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, AND THAT PROGRAM WAS A NO-QUESTIONS- ASKED PROGRAM AT A CHURCH.

>> Reporter: HE SAID, THEY AVERAGE AROUND 190 HOUSEHOLDS AT THE DISTRICT SITE EACH WEEK.

LAST WEEK, WILLIAMS WAS HONORED WITH THE MVP AWARD FROM THE BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT SOCCER.

>> PEOPLE THAT DO WHAT I DO -- ASSOCIATION.

>> PEOPLE THAT DO WHAT I DO DON'T DO IT FOR AWARDS.

I TOLD THEM LAST NIGHT THAT MVP TO ME STANDS FOR MORE VEGETABLES, PLEASE, BECAUSE I WOULD RATHER THIS HAVE A CASE OF CANNED CORN TO GIVE OUT TO PEOPLE THAN THE AWARD.

THE AWARD IS NICE, BUT -- >> WILLIAMS HAS BEGUN A NONPROFIT TO KEEP THE WORK OF TAKE-WHAT-YOU-NEED TUESDAYS GOING FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

>> THAT IS WHY WHEN I LOOK AT A YOUNG KID COMING IN WITH HIS MOM, IT REMINDS ME WHERE WE'RE AT.

ONE DAY THIS KID WILL REMEMBER THIS PROGRAM AND HELP SOMEONE OUT.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE CAN HELP SUPPORT FOOD DISTRIBUTION THROUGH VENMO AT TAKE WHAT YOU NEEDSD.

MAX RIVLIN-NADLER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ANOTHER TOOL IN THE ARSENAL AGAINST COVID-19 MIGHT BE ON THE WAY SOON.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON SAID IT WILL FILE FOR FDA CLEARANCE FOR THE VACCINE IN THE COMING DAYS.

THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED RESULTS OF THE GLOBAL TRIAL.

THE VACCINE HAS PROVEN TO BE 66% EFFECTIVE IN MOST CASES AND 85% EFFECTIVE IN SEVERE CASES.

WHILE THE TWO EXISTING VACCINES REQUIRE TWO DOSES, THE VACCINE DEVELOPED BY JOHNSON&JOHNSON REQUIRES ONLY ONE SHOT.

>>> GETTING SHOT IN ARMS HASN'T BEEN EASY LOCALLY.

BAD WEATHER SHUT DOWN ONE OF THE VACCINATION SUPERSITES THIS WEEK.

AND THEN THERE IS THE FRUSTRATION OVER SUPPLY AND SCHEDULING.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS.

>> WE'RE TAKING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS FOR APPOINTMENT SETTING.

THIS GOES HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE EXPANSION OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE SET AS WE PROVIDE.

>> Reporter: AFTER RAINY WEATHER CLOSED THE PETCO PARK VACCINATION SUPERSTATION EARLIER THIS WEEK, COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO MAKE UP APPOINTMENTS.

>> I KNOW ALL OF THE APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED FOR THE DAYS ARE BEING HONORED.

>> Reporter: WE SAW LONG LINES OF CARS FILLED WITH PEOPLE EAGER TO GET VACCINATED.

VACCINATIONS AT COUNTY SITES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS PEOPLE SAYING I CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT.

THE MINUTE THEY'RE MADE AVAILABLE, THEY ARE GONE.

>> Reporter: TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DOWNTOWN LOCATION OR THE SUPERSTATION IN CHULA VISTA, PEOPLE HAVE TO USE THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

FOR OTHER COUNTY-SPONSORED SITING YOU HAVE TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS THROUGH THE MYSTATE.CA.GOV PLATFORM.

>> WE'RE DOING OUR BEST AND LISTENING, MAKING SURE WE'RE ABLE TO ADJUST THE SLIDES AS WE HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: TO MAKE IT EASIER, SOON ALL TESTING APPOINTMENTS FROM A COUNTY SITE WILL BE BOOKED THROUGH THE STATE'S MY TURN PLATFORM.

A NEW VACCINATION SUPERSTATION LAUNCHING THIS SUNDAY AT CAL STATE SAN MARCOS IN THE NORTH COUNTY WILL USE MY TURN J.

WE'LL BEGIN TAKING APPOINTMENTS ON SATURDAY, AND WE'LL BEGIN TO ADMINISTER VACCINES ON SUNDAY.

>> Reporter: SOME 269,000 VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN PUT INTO SAN DIEGANS ARMS SO FAR.

THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINATION SUPPLY CHAIN.

FINISHES ARE MOVING FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY, HOPING TO ADD SIX SMALLER VACCINATION PODS NEXT MONTH.

>> AND WE HAVE TO DO THIS WITH THE PROBLEMS AND AWARENESS -- THE PRESENCE AND AWARENESS THAT A NEW STRAIN IS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS BELIEVE A 71-YEAR-OLD DIED FROM A MORE CONTAGIOUS VARIANT OF COVID-19 THAT HAS BEEN TRACED BACK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.

SOME 150 SUSPECTED CASES OF THE B-117 VARIANT HAVE BEEN FOUND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> THAT IS A SMALL NUMBER COMPARED TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES IN THE COUNTY, BUT WE DO THINK THAT NUMBER IS INCREASING.

MAY REPRESENT ONE TO 2% OF ALL OF THE CASES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THAT COULD BE SCENE SEEN IN THE SURGE LATER IN FEBRUARY AND INTO MARCH.

>> Reporter: TRANSIT OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT MTS WILL BEGIN GIVING FREE RIDES TO THOSE SHOWING PROOF OF A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT.

COUNTYWIDE, THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT DOWNTREND IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND INTENSIVE CARE UNITE ADMISSIONS.

THEY REMAIN HIGH.

AND TO GET OUT OF THE PURPLE TIER RESTRICTIONS, WE NEED DAILY CASE COUNTS TO GO DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW JUST HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING ON VACCINATIONS, GO TO THE VACCINATION DASHBOARD AT KPBS.ORG.

IT SHOWS THE NUMBER OF LOCAL VACCINATIONS COMPARED TO THE TOTAL POPULATION.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND A LIST OF VACCINATION CENTERS TO SEE THE TRACKER.

GO TO THE TRACKING COVID-19 SECTION AT KPBS.ORG AND CLICK ON VACCINES.

>>> THE VACCINE RULEOUT IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE 1 MILLION DOSES PER DAY.

MANDY GAITHER TELLS US HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED THE VACCINE SO FAR.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN CORONAVIRUS VACCINATIONS AND NATURAL IMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECOVERED FROM AN INFECTION, ABOUT 12% AND PERHAPS AS MUCH AS A THIRD OF AMERICANS HAVE SOME IMMUNITY TO COVID-19, ACCORDING TO A CNN ANALYSIS.

OFFICIALS URGE CONTINUED VIGILANCE.

>> GETTING VACCINATED DOES NOT SAY NOW I HAVE A FREE PASS TO TRAVEL NOR IS THE IT SAY THAT I HAVE A FREE PASS TO PUT ASIDE ALL OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES THAT WE TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE TIME.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 6% OF THE U.S. POPULATION HAS BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST DATA FROM THE CDC WHILE CASES ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY ARE PLATEAUING, THAT IS NOT EXPECTED TO LAST.

THE VIRUS KEEPS MUTATING.

>> WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE ARE THE NEW VARIANTS.

MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS VIRUSES.

MUCH MORE EASILY TRANSMITTED AND CAUSING MORE SERIOUS ILLNESS.

THEY'RE GOING TO OVERLAY ON TOP OF THAT VERY HIGH BASE LINE.

SO, WHAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SO IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT, I THINK, SIX TO 14 WEEKS, IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T COME CLOSE TO EXPERIENCING YET.

>> Reporter: HEALTH EXPERTS SAY EVEN WITH THE VIRUS VARIANTS, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO TO KEEP INFECTION NUMBERS DOWN.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT'S STILL SPREAD BY SMALL DROPLETS.

IT CAN BE LARGELY PREVENTED BY MASKING AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA WAS BACK IN NORTH COUNTY THIS WEEK.

IT WAS ONE OF HIS FIRST TRIPS BACK TO HIS NEW DISTRICT.

AS JACOB AERE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA TOOK A TOURIST 11th FLOOR AT THE MEDICAL CENTER IN ESCONDIDO TO SEE ONE OVERFLOW ROOM FORUP COMING PARTS, WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE AT THE FACILITY.

THE 10th FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IS CURRENTLY STATIONED WITH 100 HOSPITAL BEDS AND IS BEING USED TO CARE FOR 18 PATIENTS WITH COVID-19.

IT'S THE ONLY ALTERNATE CARE SITE LOCATED INSIDE SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> WE SAW WARM BEDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR FURTHER SURGE, IF NEEDED, THAT HAVE BEEN PREPARED THAT GIVE US SOME RELIEF.

WHAT WE ALSO SAW WAS THE STRAIN ON THE ACTUAL INTENSIVE CARE FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHICH ARE DESIGNED WITH NEGATIVE PRESSURE.

>> Reporter: THE TWO FLOORS OF ALTERNATE CARE SITES WERE SET UP FIRST IN THE SPRING OF 2020 BY THE NATIONAL GUARD TO DEAL WITH THE OVERFLOW OF PATIENTS DUE TO COVID-19.

PALOMAR HEALTH CEO DIANA HANSON SAID THE 11th FLOOR IS CURRENTLY NOT IN USE.

>> WE ORIGINALLY ISSUED REGULAR COTS.

NORMAL COTS THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN A FIELD HOSPITAL.

THE STATE RALLIED AND ACTUALLY GAVE US ACTUAL PATIENT BEDS.

JUST AN OPEN AIR UNIT, BUT IT HAS DIVIDERS AND ACTUAL PATIENT BEDS, AND ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS NEEDED UP THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: ISSA WAS IMPRESSED BY THE SETUP AND WORRIES THAT THE COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR THE $3.5 MILLION OF EXPENSES FOR THE FACILITIES AT PALOMAR HEALTH, ESCONDIDO SITE.

>> THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE WHEN THEY DO SOMETHING WHEN ASKED, THAT THAT I WON'T BE TO BE IT TO THE DETRIMENT OF THEIR OWN FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PAY OTHER BILLS AND TREAT THEIR OTHER PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC, HE SAID, STRESSED HOSPITAL STAFF.

THE PALOMAR HEALTH ADDED NURSES AND ICU BEDS TO THEIR FACILITIES.

JACOB AEREKPBS NEWS.

>>> -- AEREKPBS NEWS.

>>> POWAY IS STARTING TO BRING SCHOOLS BACK TO CAMPUS.

ON MONDAY, ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL ED STUDENTS WILL RETURN TO IN-SCHOOL LEARNING.

STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE ONLINE LEARNING.

THE DISTRICT SAID THE STATE IS REQUIRING IT TO HOLD BACK ON MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RETURNING UNTIL THE COUNTY IS IN THE RED TIER.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO HAD A SURGE OF COVID-19 CASES AMONG STUDENTS RETURNING FROM THEIR WINTER BREAK.

NEW CASES HAVE DROPPED DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT WEEKS.

KPBS EDUCATIONAL REPORTER JOE HONG EXPLAINS HOW THE UNIVERSITY IS PLANNING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: WITH 10,000 STUDENTS ON CAMPUS LAST QUARTER, UC SAN DIEGO KEPT COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS LOW THROUGH THE END OF 2020.

AFTER THE WINTER HOLIDAY, CASES SPIKED AMONG STUDENTS WITH MORE THAN 200 REPORTED DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF THE NEW QUARTER.

ROBERT IS A PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT UCSD OVERSEEING THE UNIVERSITY'S COVID STRATEGY.

>> WE ANTICIPATED THIS WOULD HAPPEN WHETHER PEOPLE GO HOME AND MIX WITH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS.

YOU CAN SEE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS AND SOCIALIZE.

THIS VIRUS TAKES VICTIM OF THAT.

>> Reporter: IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, THE NUMBERS PLUMMETED DOWN TO SINGLE DIGITS, THANKS TO THE TESTING AND QUARANTINE PROGRAM THE UNIVERSITY HAD IN PLACE SINCE LAST YEAR.

>> WE HAD PREPARED FOR IT BY DOING A NUMBER OF THINGS.

WE HAD SURGED TESTING, IF YOU WILL, DURING THE FIRST WEEK TO TRY TO IDENTIFY AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD, PEOPLE UPON RETURN WHO HAD BROUGHT THE VIRUS PACK WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: UCSD REPORTED 861 CASES AMONG STUDENTS SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC AND 331NESS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

-- THE UNIVERSITY EASILY MANAGE THE CASES.

THE CAMPUS HAD PLENTY OF QUARANTINE ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS ACTIVITIES POSITIVE.

>> MORE THAN 1ITY A BEDS.

WE HAVE 600, SO, WE KIM MANY MORE THAN THAT.

WE ALL WANTED TO HAVE A BIG BUFFER IN TERMS OF QUARANTINE.

>> Reporter: LOOKING AHEAD, THE TEAM IS FOCUSED ON AVOIDING ANOTHER SURGE AFTER SPRING BREAK.

HE SAID, THE UNIVERSITY IS DESIGNING SPRUNG BREAK INTERNSHIP SO STUDENTS CAN REMAIN ON CAMPUS BUILDING THE RESUMES INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING.

>> OUR GOAL WOULD BE TO CREATE A NUMBER OF REALLY INTERESTING CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS AND THINGS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO DURING THE CLASS YEAR AND SCHOOL YEAR, TRY TO SEE IF THEY CAN STAY ON CAMPUS AND NOT HAVE TO GO OFFCAMPUS AND COME BACK AND SURGE BACK WITH THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: HE SAID, UNLESS THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DELAY, HE EXPECTS THE UNIVERSITY TO BE CLOSE TO FULLY REOPEN IN THE FALL.

JOE HONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S MARQUIS SPORTS EVENTS IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND WITHOUT FANS.

THE FARMER'S INSURANCE OPEN IS BEING PLAYED AT TORI PIPES AND FEATURES THE --ITORY PINES, AND FEATURES PHIL MICKLESON.

ONE NOTABLE EXCEPTION IS TIGER WOODS WHO IS OUT WITH AN INJURY.

THE PGA IS PLANNING TO HOLD ONE OF ITS MAJOR TOURNAMENTS, THE U.S. OPEN, AT TORI PINES IN JUNE -- TORREY PINES IN JUNE.

>>> AND THIS IS A GLIMPSE INTO A COVID-FREE FUTURE IN AUSTRALIA.

THOUSANDS OF FANS ARE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE START OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN THIS WEEKEND MOSTLY WITHOUT MASKS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST TENNIS EVENTS OF THE YEAR.

SERENA WILLIAMS AND NEIGHOMO OSACA ARE AMONG THOSE TAKING -- AND NAOMI OSAKA ARE DO TAKING PART.

AUSTRALIA HAS HAD NEARLY TWO WEEKS WITHOUT CASES IN THE STATES OR TERRITORIES.

>>> WE END THE SHOW WITH A TRIP BACK TO THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

ONE YEAR AGO, ALL EYES WERE ON WUHAN, CHINA.

DAVID KOFER SHOWS US HOW THE CITY AND PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: IT'S A CITY WHOSE NAME EVOKES MYSTERY, ALLEGATIONS OF COVERUP AND AGONY.

WUHAN, CHINA.

CNN RETURNING TO THIS, THE ORIGINAL EPICENTER OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK.

ON JANUARY 23rd, 2020, THIS METROPOLIS OF MORE THAN 11 MILLION RESIDENTS LOCKED DOWN.

WE LEFT HOURS BEFORE.

GIVING A TWO-WEEK QUARANTINE IN BEIJING.

FOR 76 DAYS, WUHAN REMAINED SEALED OFF.

>> AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

BACK ONE YEAR LATER.

THE SEA FOOD MARKET.

THIS AT ONE POINT WAS HANDLED TO HAVE BEEN BY CHINESE AUTHORITIES, THE GROUND ZERO OF THIS OUTBREAK.

>> Reporter: THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THE SECURITY HAD USHERED US,WAY WITHIN MINUTES OF REPORTING.

>> NOW, JANUARY 2021, NO SECURITY HERE.

WE HAVE BEEN WALKING AROUND FOR SEVERAL MINUTES.

THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE OF THE.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS UNTIL WE STARTED LOOKING INSIDE.

WE NOTICED SOME PEOPLE WORKING BEHIND THE GATE.

SUDDENLY, A RANDOM PASSERBY ON A BIKE SHOUTED AT US SAYING DON'T BE SNEAKY.

HE IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

HE TOLD US TO WALK AROUND AND TRY THE ENTRANCE.

>> APPARENTLY WE CAN GO IN.

SEE IF WE CAN ACTUALLY GET INSIDE THE MARKET.

>> I WILL ASK THIS GUY, CAN YOU GO IN?

YOU CAN'T GO INSIDE?

TELL HIM WE HAD A COVID TEST, A NEGATIVE COVID TEST.

>> OKAY.

>> NO PICTURES?

>> YEAH.

>> CLEARLY A BIT SENSITIVE.

PERHAPS BECAUSE WE'RE FOREIGNERS OR JOURNALISTS.

>> Reporter: THE VIRUS' ORIGIN HAS BEEN HIGHLY POLITICIZED.

U.S. OFFICIALS ACCUSING CHINA AFTER COVERING UP AND ALLOWING THE VIRUS TO SPREAD.

CHINA DEFENSIVE SAYING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS DEFLECTING BLAME FOR ITS OWN MISHANDLING.

A TEAM FROM THE W.H.O.

IS IN WUHAN NOW, TASKED WITH TRYING TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH.

YET, GEO POLITIC TICKS ASIDE, THE HUMAN -- POLITICS ASIDE, THE HUMAN SUFFERING IS JUNE VERSAL.

SHE SPOKE WITH US KNOWING SHE COULD FACE PRESSURE FROM OFFICIALS.

A MOTHER WHO LOST HER ONLY DAUGHTER HAS NO MORE TO LOSE.

>> WHEN I SAT DOWN, YOU THANKED ME FORGETTING THE TRUTH OUT.

WHAT IS THE TRUTH AS YOU KNOW IT?

>> Reporter: THE LOCAL OFFICIALS DIDN'T TELL US ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, SHE SAID.

IF MEASURES WERE TAKEN, I WOULD NOT HAVE SENT MY CHILD TO THE HOSPITAL, WHICH WAS THE SOURCE OF THE INFECTION.

LAST JANUARY, YOUNG'S 24-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER HAD BEEN RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR CANCER.

SHE CONTRACTED COVID-19 AND DIED IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

WHEN I SPEAK ABOUT THIS, SOME PARTS OF MY HEART STILL ACHE, SHE SAID.

AMIDST THE DEEP PAIN, WE ENCOUNTERED MOMENTS OF HOPE IN OUR RETURN.

ON THE EVE OF THE LOCKDOWN LAST YEAR, WE VISITED THE FRUIT MARKET.

THE WOMAN SELLING SUGAR CANE TOLD ME AT THE TIME SHE WAS TERRIFIED.

SHE STAYED, FEARING THE FINANCIAL BURDEN.

12 MONTHS LATER, WE MET AGAIN.

AT THAT TIME, I WAS CRYING ALL OF THE TIME, SHE TOLD ME.

WE WERE SUFFERING AND SCARED.

ABOVE HER FACE MASK, THE PAIN STILL VISIBLE IN HER EYES.

SHE SAID THE PEOPLE OF WUHAN ARE RESILIENT LIKENING THEM TO HEROS.

>> I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU IN PERSON AND KNOW YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE LOCKDOWN AND YOU'RE HAPPY.

>> Reporter: THE MARKET MOOD REMARKABLY DIFFERENT FROM LAST YEAR.

BUSINESS, BUSTLING.

PEOPLE MORE AT EASE.

>> WOULD YOU SAY WUHAN IS PACK OPEN AND ON THE PATH TO RECOVERY?

-- .

>> IT'S NOT JUST STARTING FROM NOW, HE SAID.

IT STARTED VERY EARLY, TO BE HONEST, IN MY OPINION.

WUHAN HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO RECOVER SINCE MID- TO LATE MARCH.

THE DELIVERY DRIVER HAS BECOME WELL-KNOWN ON CHINESE SOCIAL MEDIA.

HE CHRONICLED LIFE DURING THE LOCKDOWN.

THE THEN AND NOW ARE STRIKING.

A CITY AMIDST THE LOCKDOWN FOLLOWED BY A SUMMER WITH PACKED POOL PARTY IMAGES THAT SHOCKED A SOCIALLY DISTANCED WORLD OUTSIDE OF CHINA.

AND A NEW YEAR CELEBRATION THAT BROUGHT WUHAN RESIDENTS SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER.

THOUGH, WITH NEW CLUSTER OUTBREAKS IN THE NORTH OF CHINA, MANY HERE IN WUHAN, AGAIN, WEARING FACE MASKS.

CAUTIOUS OF THE LINGERING UNKNOWNS AND STILL SURROUNDED BY THE HAUNTING MEMORIES OF A LOCKDOWN TO KEPT MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS WITH THEIR GRIEF SEALED INSIDE.

FOR SOME, ONLY NOW 12 MONTHS LATER, IT'S JUST BEGINNING TO SURFACE.

DAVID KOFER, CNN, WUHAN.

>> AND YOU CAN FOLLOW OUR COVID- 19 COVERAGE ANY TIME AT WWW.KPBS.ORG.

GO TO THE HOME PAGE AND TRACK ON THE COVID-19 LUNKING.

WE HAVE THE REPORTER'S STORIES AND THE UPDATES TO OUR LIVE PLOUGHING WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND CASE NUMBERS.

THAT IS ALL FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

FOR ALL OF US HERE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND STAY SAFE.