By Mary O’KEEFE

On Sept. 8 Los Angeles County Public Health reported 671 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 61 new deaths. The high number of deaths reported is due to a backlog of reports received by Public Health over the weekend. The low number of new positive cases reflects reduced testing due to the excessive heat.

There is a concern that numbers will climb after the recent Labor Day holiday with high temperatures that saw thousands flock to local beaches.

  “Just over two weeks after Independence Day, the County experienced increases in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. For example, the seven-day average of daily reported COVID-19 cases around July 4 was about 2,200 cases per day, but two weeks later the number of new cases increased to over 3,100,” according to a statement from Public Health. “If you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 over the holiday weekend, you are encouraged to get tested. For example, if you were in a crowded area this weekend and people were not wearing cloth face coverings, you should get tested. If you were around someone who was feeling sick, you should get tested. And if you were with someone who has tested positive for the virus, even if they never felt sick, you should get tested. Testing sites are open and appointments are available.”

Public Health reported on Sept. 8, the City of Glendale had 3,267 positive cases of COVID-19 and 168 deaths, La Cañada Flintridge reported 172 and seven deaths, Eagle Rock reported 622 cases and 20 deaths, Shadow Hills had 57 cases and zero deaths, Sunland has 418 and 28 deaths and Tujunga reported 460 positive cases with 14 deaths. In the unincorporated areas of LA County, Altadena reported 661 positive cases and 13 deaths and La Crescenta/Montrose reported 177 and two deaths.