Los Angeles County Announces 48 New Deaths Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

2,056 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 48 new deaths and 2,056 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The high number of cases are, in part, due to delays in lab reporting. Thirty-six people who died were over the age of 65 years old, seven people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and two people who died were between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Thirty-seven people had underlying health conditions including 29 people over the age of 65 years old, six people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old, and two people between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Two deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and one death was reported by the City of Pasadena.

To date, Public Health has identified 81,636 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,110 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,892 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 42% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 29% among White residents, 17% among Asian residents, 11% among Black/African American residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 29 cases and one death reported earlier were not LA County residents. There are 1,406 people who are currently hospitalized, 29% of these people are in the ICU and 22% are on ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for nearly 916,000 individuals and 8% of people testing positive.

“Each day, we are sad to report additional deaths from COVID-19 of people across our communities.  For all of you who are grieving, we are so sorry for your loss,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “While the most critical numbers for us to watch are daily hospitalizations and deaths, and these numbers remain stable, we are mindful that positive cases across the County have increased, and this reflects both high rates of testing and increased community transmission over the past few weeks. Many businesses and spaces reopened in the last month, and residents have found themselves in crowded situations at boardwalks, bars, and protests. Increased contact with others not in your household results in increased risk of transmission of COVID-19. This is why it is more important than ever to do what we know slows the spread of the virus: always wear a face covering and keep 6 feet or more of distance from others not in your household, wash hands frequently, self-isolate if you’re positive for COVID-19, and quarantine if you’re a close contact of someone who tested positive. This is how we protect each other in the weeks ahead.”

It is important if someone thinks they could be positive for COVID-19 and are awaiting testing results, to stay at home and act as if they are positive. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 72 hours after symptoms and fever subside, or until they receive a negative result. If a person tests positive for COVID-19, they should plan on receiving a call from a contact tracer to discuss how to protect themselves and others, to find out where they may have been, and who they were in close contact with while infectious. 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.

Public Health issued a modified Health Officer Order and directives that allows for the following sectors to reopen once they implement the required protocols for infection control and distancing:

• Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks with no spectators
• Personal care services including: esthetician, skin care and cosmetology services; electrology; nail salons; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, microblading and permanent make-up; and piercing shops; and massage therapy
• Bars, wineries, breweries and tasting rooms

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; all sectors are reopening with reduced occupancy. 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 be required to wear face shields. It is important for everyone to follow the directives and to do their part every day to keep everyone as safe as possible. Businesses should take the time to put all of the protocols in place before reopening. The directives are available online and are contained in sector-specific protocols that inform all re-openings.

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.

Please see additional information below: