The Los Angeles County Coronavirus Task Force released its daily update on the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the highlights below or watch the full video above.
Los Angeles County officials reported 2,039 new confirmed cases of coronaviruses today, bringing the total to at least 176,028 county-wide cases. In total, 7,479 cases have been reported in Long Beach and 1,897 in Pasadena (those two cities operate their own health departments).
County public health director Barbara Ferrer also reported 17 new deaths of patients with COVID-19. The total number of deaths across the county is now 4,375 people.
So far, 92% of the deceased had underlying health problems, he said.
Ferrer took a moment at today’s briefing to note that 145 days have passed since a public health emergency was declared in the county. And while we initially “doubled the curve,” an increase in infections and cases means that “additional setbacks or closings should remain on the table,” he said.
“… at this stage of the pandemic, we believe we have many tools available that, if fully utilized, should allow us to curb the spread without reverting to the more stringent requests for home security that existed before in the pandemic.”
the test positivity currently qualify stands to 9% aNorth Dakota there are approximately 400 COVID-19 cases by hundred thousand residents, according to Ferrer.
“Were no where U.S need to be, “she said.
THREE MORE CLOSED WORKPLACES
County health officials are investigating “major outbreaks” among employees at three workplaces. Ferrer said more than 40 people have been infected at each site, and all three have been closed.
“We were not notified, as we must be notified once they had their three cases,” he said.
Workplaces include Golden Foods and Mission Foods, as in Mission tortillas. Ferrer said the total number of cases at each site will be added to the county’s workplace outbreak list, which can be viewed here.
CONTACT TRACKING INCENTIVE
The county is launching a pilot program to see if a $ 20 gift certificate can incentivize more people to participate in follow-up contact interviews with public health workers.
Ferrer said the program will last three weeks and will be evaluated.
“Were hopeful that that be work, “he said.”U.S Really respect that persons to have to give us a hour of its hour.”
NEW THREE C
Ferrer also describes a new version of the “three Cs” that county health officials had been sharing. Previously, those three C’s were things to avoid: crowded places, confined spaces and near Contact with people outside your immediate home.
New county Cs are being promoted: “compliance, containment and collaboration,” he said.
Compliance means that individuals and businesses follow county health guidelines for facial coverage, social distancing, disinfection, and more.
Virus containment can be achieved “through tests, particularly in he harder hit communities, to identify those who They are who may be positive, “said Ferrer.
“U.S to know that our Brown and Black neighbors and those in poor communities They are Wearing he effort of is virus, “he said.”They They are infected to a higher Speed, and they see he worst results. Suitable tests [and] appropriate tests can help us overcome is.”
Test capacity has increased by more than 65% in recent weeks, he said.
BY THE NUMBERS
More than 1,649,000 people have been evaluated for COVID-19 and their results were reported to Los Angeles County health officials. Of those tests, 10% have been positive.
There are currently 2,017 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those individuals, 29% are in the ICU, with 18% in ventilators.
Ferrer also provided a racial breakdown of the confirmed deaths, based on confirmed information for 4,083 of the victims. According to the latest available information:
- 48% Latino / Latina [48.6% of county residents]
- eleven% Afro-American [9% of county residents]
- 25% White [26.1% of county residents]
- fifteen% Asian [15.4% of county residents]
- Less than 1% Native to Hawaii or the Pacific Islands [0.4% of county residents]
- one% identified as belonging to another race or ethnicity
MORE ABOUT CORONAVIRUSES:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Subscribe to our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
