COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop Under 1,000; L.A. County Health Officer Order Updated

42 New Deaths and 793 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 42 new deaths and 793 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,209,632 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 22,446 deaths.

There are 979 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 29% of these people are in the ICU. This is the first time daily hospitalizations has been under 1,000 since November 23. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to decline, but are still high.

Of the 42 new deaths reported today, 14 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 12 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 10 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and three people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. Five deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach.

The Los Angeles County Health Officer Order has been updated and aligns closely with the State’s re-opening framework allowed in the red tier.  Additional safety modifications are required or recommended for certain sectors.

Effective Monday, March 15 at 12:01 a.m., the following are permitted:

1. Museum, Zoos and Aquariums can open indoors at 25% capacity.
2. Gyms, Fitness Centers, Yoga and Dance Studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with masking requirement for all indoor activities.
3. Movie Theatres can open indoors at 25% capacity with reserved seating only where each group is seated with at least 6 feet of distance in all directions between any other groups.
4. Retail and Personal Care Services can increase capacity to 50% with masking required at all times and for all services.
5. Restaurants can open indoors at 25% max capacity under the following conditions: eight feet distancing between tables; one household per indoor table with a limit of six people; the HVAC system is in good working order and has been evaluated, and to the maximum extent possible ventilation has been increased. Public Health strongly recommends that all restaurant employees interacting with customers indoors are provided with additional masking protection (above the currently required face shield over face masks); this can be fit tested N95 masks, KN95 masks, or double masks, in addition to the required face shield.  Public Health also strongly recommends that all employees working indoors are informed about and offered opportunities to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Outdoor dining can accommodate up to six people per table from three different households.
6. Indoor Shopping Malls can increase capacity to 50% with common areas remaining closed; food courts can open at 25% capacity adhering to the restaurant guidance for indoor dining.
7. Institutes of Higher Education can re-open all permitted activities with required safety modifications except for residential housing which remains under current restrictions for the Spring semester.
8. Schools are permitted to re-open for in-person instruction for students in grades 7-12 adhering to all state and county directives.
9. Private gatherings can occur indoors with up to three separate households, with masking and distancing required at all times.  People who are fully vaccinated can gather in small numbers indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated without required masking and distancing.

It is critical that directives and infection protocols are followed to minimize COVID-19 spread as much as possible. All operators of businesses that are allowed to reopen are required to implement all Public Health protocols before reopening to ensure compliance and to avoid citations, fines and possible closure.

Public Health’s compliance team continues to visit businesses across the County every day. Inspectors review compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order, identify violations, and may issue citations for businesses out of compliance and, unfortunately, an order to close to those who refuse to or are unable to take the steps required to protect their workforce and community.

“I send my deepest sympathies to everyone who is mourning a loved one lost to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We have made good progress and have more progress to make. We urge everyone to use caution and good judgment in these next critical weeks and months to avoid surges in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths like we saw at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021.  Don’t let your guard down. Continue following all safety measures. Stay masked, maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others, and keep in mind outdoor activities are far safer than indoor ones.”

Testing results are available for nearly 5,947,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive.  Today’s daily test positivity rate is 1.8%.  Residents should get tested if they have symptoms or were exposed to someone who was positive and isolate immediately from your family and others if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. People with COVID-19, even if they have no symptoms, can be very infectious and pass the infection to others. If you are or someone you know is having severe symptoms including difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, inability to wake or stay awake and/or bluish lips or face, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

COVID-19 vaccine remains in very limited supply. For information about vaccine appointments in L.A. County and when your turn is coming up, to sign up for a vaccination newsletter, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

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

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