Staving off another weekend rush on Southern California beaches, Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday ignored pleas from local officials and ordered the closure of Orange County beaches to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

California Gov.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom closed beaches in Orange County on Thursday, overriding some local officials who had rejected his pleas to limit access as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the state.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered Orange County beaches to close until further notice, saying it was necessary to protect public health, while allowing other beaches in California to remain open with some restrictions.

Officials said they were told that the program was temporary — closing within 60 days of the governor's stay-at-home order ending — and that adequate security protocols and medical staffing were in place.

Beaches in some parts of southern California will be shut down from Friday, the state's governor announced, to avoid a repeat of the huge crowds that flocked there last weekend. "We're going to do a hard close

After throngs of people crowded beaches last weekend, California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered beaches in Orange County to be shut down. All state and local beaches in Orange County will be shut down starting Friday.

Health officials in Orange County reported 145 new coronavirus cases and one new death Thursday, bringing the county’s total to 2,393 confirmed cases and 45 deaths, according to the Orange

COVID-19 deaths in long-term care centers now account for nearly a quarter of all county coronavirsus fatalities.

Governor Gavin Newsom was expected to announce the closure of all California beaches and state parks during his daily coronavirus state briefing Thursday in the continued fight against COVID-19.