The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 44 new deaths and 1,469 new cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The large increase in positive cases reflects a lag in reporting from one lab of over 500 positive cases. Twenty-seven people who died were over the age of 65; 15 people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65, and two people who died were between the ages of 18 and 40. Thirty-four people had underlying health conditions including 21 people over the age of 65, 12 people between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and one person between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. The City of Glendale reported 1,031 new cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) ; La Cañada Flintridge reported 52 cases; Sunland reported 162 cases; Tujunga reported 131 cases. The unincorporated county of Los Angeles La Crescenta/Montrose reports 32 cases.

To date, Public Health has identified 59,650 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,531 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,341 people (99% of the cases reported by Public Health).

Upon further investigation, 53 cases and two deaths reported earlier were not LA County residents. As of today, 6,767 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (11% of positive cases) have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. There are 1,457 people who are currently hospitalized, 30% of these people are in the ICU and 21% are on ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for nearly 659,000 individuals and 8% of people testing positive.

“To everyone across our LA County community who is mourning a loved one who has passed away from COVID-19, we share in your sorrow. We are thinking of you and praying for you every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 while out and in large crowds, because you were in close contact for at least 15 minutes with people who were not wearing face coverings, please remember that the virus has a long incubation period and it will be important to remain away from others as much as possible for 14 days. Testing negative for COVID-19 right after you’ve been exposed does not mean you can’t become infected later during the incubation period, so please stay away from others for 14 days after possible exposure. Should you develop symptoms within 14 days of exposure, please contact your healthcare provider to connect to care and testing.”