Public Health Reports 38 New Deaths and 1,636 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 In Los Angeles County

Public Health Offers Guidance to Peaceful Protesters

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 38 new deaths and 1,636 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. The number of new cases reported today include a backlog of 280 test results received from the State.

To date, Public Health identified 236,986 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 5,701 deaths. Nearly 65% of all cases reported by Public Health have occurred among people 49 years old and younger.

There are 1,168 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 32% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU.  A month ago, the County was seeing over 2,000 daily hospitalizations regularly.

Public Health joins the many voices who are coming together in anger, frustration and protest against racism and violence.  Public Health acknowledges the observance of the 50th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium, recognized as a national day of resistance against racism, sexism, imperialism, and fascism, with a focus this year on environmental and racial injustices.

There are many ways to observe the 50^th Anniversary while avoiding gatherings and adhering to Public Health guidelines. However, for residents that plan on attending peaceful protests, please be aware of the elevated risks that come when people of different households gather during this pandemic, even when they are outdoors.  Protests can inadvertently result in transmission of COVID-19, including from people who are asymptomatic and have no idea that they are positive for the virus.  If you unknowingly become infected, you may infect other people in your life, including people who are older or who have underlying health conditions that put them at far greater risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from COVID-19.

If you plan to attend a protest, please follow these guidelines:

• Stay home if you are feeling sick. Seek medical attention as needed if you have symptoms for COVID-19, and be tested for the virus – testing is widely available across LA County.

• If you are not sick and plan to attend a peaceful protest, wear a face covering over both your nose and mouth at all times and keep your physical distance, staying more than 3 steps away from anyone who is not from your household. Consider wearing eye protection. Encourage other attendees to do the same.

• Keep your hands clean before, during, and after the protests. Bring hand sanitizer or frequently wash your hands.

• If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 during a protest, it is very important that you quarantine for 14 days and stay away from all other people, especially those at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.  More guidance for attending protests is available online at: publichealth.lacounty.gov

“We extend our wishes for healing to all those who are mourning loved ones and friends who have passed away from COVID-19. Please know our thoughts are with you during these very difficult times,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we head into another summer weekend, please remember how important it is to continue  taking all the steps we know work to lower the transmission of COVID-19.  Let’s work together to prevent fun at the beach, picnicking in our parks, worshipping with our congregation, or attending  peaceful protests from resulting in more transmission of COVID-19.  When you are outside, for any activity where others are around, please wear a face covering at all times and keep at least 6 feet of distance from anyone not in your household.  This is the best way we can care for and protect the people around us.”

Of the 38 new deaths reported today, 16 people that passed away (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena) were over the age of 80 years old, 11 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, eight people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49 years old. Twenty-nine people had underlying health conditions including 16 people over the age of 80 years old, five people between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, six people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and two people between the ages of 30 and 49 years old. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach.

Ninety-three percent of the people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 5,368 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 51% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 24% among White residents, 15% among Asian residents, 10% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races.

Testing results are available for more than 2,241,000 individuals with 10% of all people testing positive.  Upon further investigation, 36 cases reported earlier were not L.A. County residents.

The state recently released guidance about newly permitted activities at all schools across the state to help students that are high risk and high need. Public Health is closely reviewing the new guidance from the state and will be working with the Board of Supervisors to ensure that Health Officer Orders are adjusted so that when schools open for any new activities, they do so as safely as possible for all children and staff.  Given the need to review the implications of the new state guidance on school re-opening plans, at this point, the school waiver process will not be opening  for applications.

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: