The state of California is empowered to take over hotels, motels, and medical facilities in order to quarantine, isolate or treat coronavirus patients, per a multi-pronged executive order released by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday.

In addition to other measures, the executive order means the state's Health and Human Services Agency and the Office of Emergency Services are preparing to possibly take over private assets in the event they are needed to hold people who are quarantined, in isolation, or in treatment for COVID-19.

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Some patients have already moved to hotels; the governor said a 120-room hotel in San Carlos is now housing people who were previously quarantined on the Grand Princess cruise ship. The ship was docked in the Bay Area earlier this week and had passengers who had tested positive for the virus.

"As you can imagine, under our pandemic planning, we're also looking to secure additional assets," Newsom said.

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on Wednesday; California is among the U.S. states with a high number of cases. During a press conference Thursday afternoon, Newsom said that 198 individuals had tested positive for COVID-19, a roughly 10% increase from the day before. Four patients have died, he said.

Other aspects of the 11-point executive order include:

Delaying the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days from April 15 by 60 days for individuals and businesses that can't file because they're following public health requirements related to COVID-19

Waiving a one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and disabled as a result of COVID-19 who are applying for benefits through the Employment Development Department

Empowering local and state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference without violating transparency laws by making them accessible to the public and having at least one member physically present at the location of the meeting.

The executive order also reiterates a directive to residents to cancel non-essential gatherings of more than 250 people, which he announced late Wednesday night.

He said the measures are necessary "to slow down the spread, to get through the peak and to get through the next few months so we don’t overwhelm our healthcare delivery system and we can meet this moment, protect people and do our best to address not just the health but public safety and econom consequences fo this moment.”

The executive order comes eight days after the governor declared a state of emergency due to spread of the virus.

Newsom said the commandeering component is being done because the state has to “prepare for extremes.” That includes looking at facilities at state parks that have lodging, or “mothballed” facilities that could be cleaned up.

As for the San Carlos hotel, he said: “We’re not gonna fill that up today, but the reason we want 120 beds is to the extent we need it.”

Melissa Daniels covers business in the Coachella Valley. She can be reached at (760)-567-8458 or melissa.daniels@desertsun.com. Follow Melissa on Twitter @melissamdaniels