L.A. County Surpasses Records Again with Devastating COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths Increase

60 New Deaths and 8,860 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms the highest number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations reported in a day with 8,860 new cases and 2,668 people currently hospitalized.

The number of new cases surpassed yesterday’s high of 7,854 by more than 1,000 cases and is the third time this week Los Angeles County has surpassed the previous all-time high of new cases.

Of the 2,668 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, 24% of these people are in the ICU.  This is the fourth consecutive day the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 surpassed the all-time high; this is a doubling from two weeks ago when daily hospitalizations were 1,298.

Today, Public Health has confirmed 60 new deaths. The number of COVID-19 daily deaths continues to climb. Two weeks ago, the County averaged 21 daily deaths.

Yesterday, the State announced a Regional Stay Home Order that will go into effect and would remain in effect for at least 3 weeks in California regions where ICU capacity falls below 15%.  The Order mirrors L.A. County’s current Health Officer Order in many places but is more restrictive in certain areas.  The State Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations including, in-person dining at restaurants and personal grooming services, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing.  As a reminder, everyone in California must adhere to State Health Officer Orders. Counties may be more restrictive than State mandates, but not less restrictive.

As a reminder, the current County Targeted Safer at Home Order includes the following safety modifications:

• Gatherings: All public and private gatherings with individuals not in your household are prohibited, except for faith based services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.
• Occupancy limits at various businesses; all individuals at these sites are required to wear face coverings and keep at least 6 feet of distance:
  • Essential retail – 35% maximum occupancy
  • Non-essential retail (includes indoor malls) – 20% maximum occupancy
  • Personal care services – 20% maximum occupancy
  • Libraries – 20% maximum occupancy
  • Fitness centers operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy
  • Museums galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy
  • Mini-golf, batting cages, go-kart racing operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy

• Outdoor recreation activities all which require face coverings (except for swimming) and distancing:
  • Beaches, trails, and parks remain open; gatherings at these sites with members outside your household are prohibited.
  • Golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball, archery ranges, skate parks, bike parks, and community gardens remain open for individuals or members of a single household. Pools that serve more than one household may open only for regulated lap swimming with one person per lane.
  • Drive-in movies/events/car parades are permitted provided occupants in each car are members of one household.

• Schools:
  • All schools and day camps remain open adhering to re-opening protocols. K-12 Schools and Day Camps with an outbreak (3 cases or more over 14 days) should close for 14 days.

• Closed non-essential businesses/activities:
  • Playgrounds (with the exception of playgrounds at childcare and schools)
  • Cardrooms

According to the State, as of December 3, the Southern California Region has 20.6% actual ICU capacity remaining.  For more information, visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/

To date, Public Health identified 430,583 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 7,842 deaths.  Upon further investigation, 158 cases reported earlier were not L.A. County residents.

“To the families mourning a loved one lost to COVID-19, we send you are deepest condolences” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Los Angeles County continues to experience a pandemic that is moving in a direction that will cause significantly more suffering and deaths. As case numbers and hospitalizations continue to rapidly increase, the number of individuals who will experience severe health outcomes will also increase. The best thing to do right now and in the upcoming holiday season is to stay at home and not travel.  Encourage your family and friends to stay connected virtually and delay meeting in person until we are at a better place in the pandemic. Collectively, we have a chance to slow the spread and save lives.”

Testing results are available for more than 3,838,000 individuals with 10% of all people testing positive.

Anyone who receives a positive lab result or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, should expect a call from a Public Health specialist to discuss how to protect themselves and others, how to isolate or quarantine, how to access services and providers, and to talk through other concerns or questions a case or contact may have. We encourage anyone who receives a call from Public Health to speak to our Public Health specialist. If a Public Health specialist calls, it will display on your phone as “LA Public Health” or as 833-641-0305.

It’s important if someone thinks they could be positive for COVID-19 and are awaiting testing results, to stay at home and isolate until they receive results. If the results are positive, then they will need to self-isolate for 10 days and 24 hours after symptoms and fever subside.

Public Health reminds anyone with a positive lab result who has not yet connected with a Public Health specialist to call 1-833-540-0473 for support and information about services. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue calling 211 for resources or more information.

Of the 60 new deaths reported today, 23 people that passed away were over the age of 80 years old, 14 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, 15 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49 years old, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. Forty-five people who died had underlying health conditions including 21 people over the age of 80 years old, 11 people between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, 12 people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and one person between the ages of 30 and 49 years. Three deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and two deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

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 7,402 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 52% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 24% among White residents, 14% among Asian residents, 9% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races.

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: