By Mary O’KEEFE

Los Angeles County Dept. Public Health announced today, May 13, the County has recorded 47 new deaths bringing the total of county deaths to 1,659. This includes 52 deaths in Glendale as of May 12.

There were 1,264 new positive cases of COVID-19 bringing the total to 34,428 cases.

According to Public Health, 92% of people who died had underlying health conditions. As of today, 5,596 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (16% of positive cases) have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. There are 1,763 people who are currently hospitalized, 25% of these people are in the ICU and 17% are on ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for nearly 264,000 individuals and 11% of people testing positive.

“In less than a month we have lost 1,300 more residents to COVID-19 causing heartache throughout the County. We keep all who are grieving in our thoughts and prayers each day and wish you healing,” said Barabara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health.

A new Health Officer Order is being issued today that replaces the previous Health Officer Order and allows for lower-risk businesses and select recreational facilities and beaches to reopen. All retailers that are not located in an indoor mall or shopping center are able to reopen for curbside, door-side, outside pickup, or delivery only. The public is not allowed to go inside. Manufacturing and logistic businesses that supply retail businesses may also reopen. Before retail businesses, manufacturing and logistic businesses reopen they are required to prepare, implement and post their plan for adhering to directives including distancing and infection control practices that protect both employees and customers.

Beaches can reopen for active recreation including running, walking, swimming and surfing. However, group sports and activities like picnicking and sunbathing are not permitted, and parking lots, bike paths, piers and boardwalks, remain closed. Select recreational facilities including golf courses, tennis courts, shooting and archery ranges, equestrian centers and community gardens can also reopen.

Everyone must continue to practice physical distancing of at least six feet apart and wear a clean cloth face covering that securely covers both the nose and mouth when around people outside of their household. This Order continues to require that specific higher-risk businesses remain closed and prohibits public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit.

Public Health will assess the activities allowed by this Order on an ongoing basis and modify this Order as appropriate. Currently, LA County is in stage two of the five-stage Roadmap to Recovery and, until the final stage five is reached, Health Officer Orders and directives will continue to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is slowed to prevent an overwhelming surge of COVID-19 cases at healthcare facilities.

The best protection against COVID-19 is to wash hands frequently, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, for those who are sick self-isolate, practice physical distancing (especially by staying at home) and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others outside the home.

Of the total number of positive cases of COVID-19, Glendale has reported 785, La Cañada Flintridge has 46, Eagle Rock has 139 cases, Sunland has 113 and Tujunga has reported 94. In the unincorporated of LA County, Angeles National Forest has zero cases reported and La Crescenta Montrose has 23.