Los Angeles County Announces 58 New Deaths Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

1,568 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 58 new deaths and 1,568 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Thirty-six people who died were over the age of 65 years, 16 people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old and four people who died were between the ages of 18 to 40. Forty-one people had underlying health conditions including 27 people over the age of 65 years old, 11 people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old and three people between the ages of 18 to 40.

To date, Public Health has identified 72,023 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,890 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,688 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 41% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 29% among White residents, 17% among Asian residents, 11% among African American residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 21 cases reported earlier were not LA County residents. There are 1,397 people who are currently hospitalized, 30% of these people are in the ICU and 21% are on ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for over 768,000 individuals and 9% of people testing positive.

“For the many people across our communities who are experiencing the sadness of losing a loved one to COVID-19, we are deeply sorry for your loss,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “If you are out this weekend visiting businesses that have reopened, please remember to follow all of the directives for protecting one another from the spread of COVID-19, including keeping physical distance of at least 6 feet whenever possible, wearing a cloth face covering when around others, and washing hands frequently.”

Public Health is tracking key indicators and metrics through the recovery journey. Los Angeles County is currently seeing average daily deaths declining. On May 8, average daily deaths were 46; today the average daily deaths are 18. The average daily number of hospitalizations has decreased three percent over the past 14 days and has now plateaued. Capacity in intensive care units and the supply of ventilators have remained stable; the 3-day average number of available ICU beds (38 percent of total ICU bed capacity) and ventilators (67 percent of total ventilator capacity) has not decreased over the past 14 days. The county also has retained the capacity to test 15,000 people each day.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Public Health released a modified Health Officer Order yesterday, June 12, that is designed to help move the county of Los Angeles into stage 3 of California’s Pandemic Resilience Roadmap. The modified Health Officer order allows for the following sectors to reopen once they implement the required protocols for infection control and distancing:

• Gyms and fitness facilities
• Pro-league arenas without live audiences
• Day camps
• Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums
• Campgrounds, RV parks and outdoor recreation
• Music, film and television production
• Hotels for leisure travel

As with all businesses that are permitted to reopen, the Health Officer Order contains protocols for reopening to ensure it is done as safely as possible for employees, customers and residents. Employees and visitors to these businesses will need to wear a cloth face covering when around other people and practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet at all times. Some employees may also be required to wear face shields. The directives are contained in sector-specific protocols that guide re-opening and are available online. It is important for everyone to follow the directives and to do their part every day to keep everyone as safe as possible.

The Health Officer orders the continued closure of the following:

• Bars, wineries and brewery tasting rooms, lounges and nightclubs
• Cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities
• Public entertainment venues: movie theaters, live performance theaters, concert venues, theme parks and festivals
• Family entertainment centers such as bowling alleys, arcades, miniature golf and batting cages
• Personal care establishments including nail salons, body waxing, massage and body art establishments
• All playgrounds, except those within a school or childcare center
• Hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas not located on a residential property
• All events and gatherings, unless specifically allowed by the Order

The best protection against COVID-19 continues to be to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing, and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household. People who have underlying health conditions remain at much greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, so it will continue to be very important for the County’s vulnerable residents to stay at home as much as possible, to have groceries and medicine delivered, and to call their providers immediately if they have even mild symptoms.

Please see additional information below: