The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 2,103 new coronavirus infections and 35 more related deaths on Saturday, marking a continuing downward trend in the impact of the disease.
The new numbers brought the total of the province to 220,762 positive cases of COVID-19 and 5,245 deaths. Saturday’s death toll was the lowest of any day this week.
For the record:
18:46, 15 August 2020An earlier version of this story said that Saturday’s death was the lowest of any day this month. It was the lowest this week. It also said that 92% of the new deaths were from people with underlying health conditions. That number is two-thirds.
Hospitalizations were also down, with 1,393 confirmed cases, less than every day since mid-June, the Department of Health reported. Of the hospitals, 33% sat in the ICU.
More than 2 million tests were given, of which 10% came out positive.
The overall infection remains skewed by a backlog of cases from the state electronic lab reporting system, the report said, but hospitalizations and death numbers were not affected.
Two-thirds of the new deaths were people who had underlying health conditions, the health department reported. Nine were over 80, nine between 65 and 75, 11 between 50 and 65, and five between 39 and 49.
Of those whose race or ethnicity was known, 50% of the dead were Latino, 24% white, 15% Asian, 10% Black, less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 1% identifying with other races.
The report said 34 cases and four deaths previously reported were found to be non-LA County residents.
“With the high temperatures this weekend, I encourage everyone to take steps to stay cool and stay hydrated throughout the day while still exercising and avoiding meetings,” said LA County County Health Director Barbara Ferrer in a statement. “Keep in mind that refrigeration centers are open and safe places to go to avoid the extreme heat, as each site adheres to strict infection control and distance measures.”
The Orange County Health Care Agency reported 513 new cases and 20 more deaths Saturday, bringing the province’s total to 43,367 cases and 809 deaths.
There were 434 COVID-19 patients in the province’s hospitals, with 138 in the ICU.
The rate of residents testing positive for COVID-19 in the province was 6.7%, falling below the state threshold, according to City News Service.
