Calif. asks people to aid health care workers

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday made a plea for people including retired health care workers and nursing students who are nearing graduation to aid hospitals amid the coronavirus outbreak.

"If you're a nursing school student, a medical student, we need you. If you've just retired in the last few years, we need you," Newsom said.

He urged those who are able to help hospital workers to visit healthcorps.ca.gov. "That's the call to action today to all California health care professionals to help participate and go on the site," he said.

Californians endured a weekend of stepped-up restrictions aimed at keeping them home as much as possible while health officials got ready for a week with a possible dramatic surge in coronavirus cases.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.