The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 56 new deaths and 1,225 new cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Thirty-eight 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 years old. Forty-four people had underlying health conditions including 33 people over the age of 65, 10 people between the ages of 41 and 65 years old and one person between the ages of 18 and 40. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach. In the City of Glendale, there are 1,071 cases reported; in Sunland 166 cases reported; in Tujunga 135 cases reported. In the unincorporated portion of La Crescenta/Montrose, 34 cases were reported.

To date, Public Health has identified 65,822 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,707 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,512 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health).

Upon further investigation, 47 cases and four deaths reported earlier were not LA County residents. As of today, 6,998 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (11% of positive cases) have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. There are 1,453 people who are currently hospitalized, 29% of these people are in the ICU and 22% are on ventilators. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for over 720,000 individuals and 8% of people testing positive.

“Many families across our communities are experiencing the sorrow of losing someone they love to COVID-19. We are so sorry for your loss, and we think of you and pray for you every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “It is important for us to remember that 83% of people testing positive for COVID-19 are under the age of 66. People who are positive can spread the virus fairly easily to others, even if they don’t have any symptoms. Take care of each other by always wearing your face covering and keeping your distance when around others not in your household. “

Because more people being around one another can result in more transmission of COVID-19, everyone should always wear a face covering securely over their nose and mouth and keep six feet apart from others not in their household when out and about. Businesses must continue to implement their physical distancing and infection control protocols that protect both employees and customers. If anyone has been in a crowded setting where people are congregating who are not using face coverings or distancing, or if you had close contact (within six feet for greater than 15 minutes) with non-household members who were not wearing face coverings, please consider the following:

• If you live with persons who are elderly or have high-risk conditions, you should also maintain a six-foot distance and wear a face covering when you are with them at home, avoid preparing food for others, sharing utensils, bedding and towels, and increase cleaning and disinfecting of common surfaces.
• Consider getting tested for COVID-19 if you have been exposed to someone who is positive or likely positive.

Individuals who are tested too soon after being exposed are less likely to test positive because their viral load may be undetectable to the test. Testing negative for COVID-19 right after being exposed does not mean you can’t become infected later during the incubation period. If anyone was possibly exposed to someone with COVID-19, and the test result is negative, they should remain at home for 14 days to prevent spreading illness to others.

COVID-19 testing is prioritized for hospitalized patients, healthcare workers, and first responders with symptoms, as well as residents and employees, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, in longterm care facilities or other congregate living settings where there are outbreaks. Additionally, Public Health recommends testing for anyone who is older or has underlying health conditions with symptoms, as well as people who have been close contacts of people who are positive for COVID-19.  Anyone with symptoms should consider testing as well.

For more information on how to get tested, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.