The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 23 new deaths and 2,773 new cases of COVID-19. The high number of new cases include backlog cases due to technical issues with data reporting systems this week. Public Health anticipates receiving additional backlog test results over the next few days.

To date, Public Health has identified 296,821 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 6,974 deaths.

There are 769 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 29% of these people are in the ICU. The number of daily hospitalizations has remained stable and under 800 daily hospitalizations since mid-September.

Public Health is reporting two additional cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This brings the total cases of MIS-C in LA County to 43 children. All 43 children with MIS-C in LA County were hospitalized and nearly 50% of the children were treated in the ICU. Of the children with MIS-C, 26% were under the age of 5 years old, 37% were between the ages of 5 and 11, and 37% were between the ages of 12 and 20. Latino/Latinx children account for 72% of the reported cases. No children have died from MIS-C in LA County.

Public Health in consultation with the Board of Supervisors, is revising the Health Officer Order to allow for the re-openings of additional personal care services indoors with modifications (in addition to hair salons and nail salons), as well as outdoor operations at go-carts, mini-golf and batting cages. In addition, the percentage of high-needs students permitted at a school campus for on-site learning has been increased from 10% to 25%, allowing more students to return for in-person instruction and services. Public Health will also modify the Health Officer Order for breweries and wineries; reservations will no longer be required at these establishments, though they are strongly recommended. In addition, wine tastings for retail sales will no longer require a meal to be served. Comprehensive protocols for all sectors that reopen will be posted online to ensure infection control and distancing and the continued health and safety of workers and the community. Businesses are required to implement the protocols prior to reopening to ensure they are in compliance with the Health Officer Order, and to avoid citations, fines, and possible closure.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one or friend to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “As we root for our teams this weekend, let’s do our best to not transmit or become infected with COVID-19. The safest way to celebrate your team is to do so in the comfort of your home with your household or participating in a virtual watch party. If you do decide to leave your home, remember to avoid indoor gatherings, confined spaces, and crowds, as each of these situations carries high risk for the spread of COVID-19. Players and staff have taken extraordinary measures to avoid virus transmission; we can follow their examples as we cheer them on to victory.”

Of the 23 new deaths reported today, eight people who passed away were over the age of 80 years old, 10 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, four people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 30 and 49 years old. Twenty-one people who died had underlying health conditions including seven people over the age of 80, 10 people between the ages of 65 and 79, and four people between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person between the ages of 30 and 49.

The City of Glendale reports 4,406 cases, the City of La Cañada Flintridge reports 190 cases, Angeles National Forest reports 2 cases, Sunland reports 525 cases, Tujunga reports 615 cases, and in the unincorporated sections of Los Angeles County , La Crescenta-Montrose, 237 cases were reported and Angeles National Forest (unincorporated portion of LA County) reports 6 cases.

Ninety-three percent of the people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 6,570 people (99% of the cases reported by Public Health). Upon further investigation, 17 cases and five deaths reported earlier were not LA County residents.

Testing results are available for almost 3,000,000 individuals with 9% of all people testing positive.

Public Health reminds anyone with a positive lab result that has not yet connected with a Public Health specialist, to call (833) 540-0473 to connect with a Public Health specialist who can provide information about services and support. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue to call 211 for resources or more information.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.