LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported Tuesday the highest number of newly confirmed coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in a single day.
Workers gather at a barbershop that is closing amid new closings and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on July 14 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Tama / Getty Images)
The county reported 4,244 new cases, bringing the county total to 140,307 confirmed positive cases. There were also 2,103 people hospitalized, with 27% in treatment in intensive care units and 19% in ventilators.
“Today’s numbers are alarming and unfortunately are the result of many companies and individuals failing to adhere to the basic public health requirements to distance themselves and wear facial covers,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county’s director of public health. “We simply cannot continue on a recovery journey without everyone doing their part. Keeping business open is only possible if we curb the spread again. ”
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Public health officials also reported 73 new deaths, one of the highest deaths reported in a day, although they said the figure may reflect a delay in reporting deaths over the weekend. In total, the county has reported 3,894 deaths.
“As a community, we must curb the spread of COVID-19 to avoid an overwhelming increase in COVID-19 in our hospitals and more premature deaths,” said Ferrer. “I urge you to cover your face, stay home as much as possible, avoid close contact with people you don’t live with and wash your hands.”
Due to the recent increase in cases, several school districts announced that they would not offer in-person classes when school resumes this fall. Both the Pasadena and Long Beach Unified School District announced Tuesday that their campuses would be closed, after the Los Angeles Unified School District announced Monday that it would only offer distance education.
“Let’s not talk that we have to go to school, we have to stay open,” said Dr. Jeffrey Galpin, an infectious disease expert. “We have to do the right thing.”
Galpin, who has spent his career researching pandemics like HIV, said the waves seen in Los Angeles County can be attributed to a premature reopening.
“We relax too soon, ”he said. “We were on the right track, and then we relaxed enough and then we exploded.”
The sharp increase comes a day after the county health order was amended to align with new state mandates announced by Governor Gavin Newsom in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
Gymnasiums and fitness centers, houses of worship, internal protests, offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors, personal care services, hairdressers and hair salons and closed shopping malls were ordered. Bars, indoor dining rooms in restaurants, indoor museums, indoor operations in zoos and aquariums, gaming halls, and satellite betting facilities remained closed and all events and meetings, unless specifically permitted by order, also were prohibited.
Health officials continued to urge Angelenos to avoid crowded places, confined spaces, and close contact with people outside their home.
More information about the county’s COVID-19 protocols can be found online.
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