New COVID-19 Deaths Break Grim Milestone Again, Two Additional Cases of MIS-C Reported

Public Health to Provide $10 million Worth of Personal Protective Equipment

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 148 new deaths and 13,678 new cases of COVID-19.  This is the second consecutive day the County has surpassed the highest number of new COVID-19 deaths.

There are 6,499 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 20% of these people are in the ICU. This is again a new high. In the last week, the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased by more than 1,600 people.

Access to sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) continues to be a challenge for long-term care facilities and community partners. Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Health is providing more than $10 million worth of PPE to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living homes, adult residential care sites, substance use disorder centers, housing assistance programs and violence intervention agencies. Depending on the setting and specific PPE need, the packages include N95 respirators, face masks, face shields, gowns and gloves to help bridge access to these important items. Between now and the end of the year, these goods are being delivered to over 4,000 long-term care facilities and community partners.

Of the 148 new deaths reported today, 51 people that passed away were over the age of 80 years old, 45 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, 28 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, 11 people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49 years old, and one person who died was between the ages 18 and 29 years old. Ninety-six people who died had underlying health conditions including 36 people over the age of 80 years old, 34 people between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, 17 people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, eight people between the ages of 30 and 49 years old, and one person between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. Eight deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and four deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

To date, Public Health identified 677,299 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 9,299 deaths.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the many people across L.A. County who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. It is heartbreaking to report today nearly 150 more L.A. County residents died from COVID-19 leaving families grieving through the holiday season,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “A person now dies every 10 minutes in L.A. County from COVID-19 – and since many of these deaths are preventable, our collective focus should be on doing right to save lives. I hope we can each find the strength and courage to take responsibility for each other’s well-being. Follow the public health directives.  These are the only tools that will work right now.”

We need every resident to follow the safety measures to stop the surge. This means staying home and limiting all non-essential activities. When you must leave your home, always wear a face covering and keep distance from others, no crowding and wash hands frequently.

Public Health is reporting two additional cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This brings the total cases of MIS-C in L.A. County to 51 children including one child death.  All 51 children with MIS-C in L.A. County were hospitalized and nearly 50% of the children were treated in the ICU. Of the children with MIS-C, 31% were under the age of 5 years old, 38% were between the ages of 5 and 11 years old, and 31% were between the ages of 12 and 20 years old. Latino/Latinx children account for nearly 73% of the reported cases.

MIS-C is an inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 and symptoms include fever that does not go away and inflamed body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. If you believe your child is displaying MIS-C symptoms, contact your primary care provider. If you do not have a primary care provider, dial 2-1-1 and L.A. County will help connect you to one.

Testing results are available for more than 4,500,000 individuals with 14% of people testing positive

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.

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