The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) confirms on Wednesday the highest daily number of people hospitalized with COVID-19. As of Wednesday, there were 2,439 people hospitalized with COVID-19, surpassing Tuesday’s high of 2,316 people.

Of the 2,439 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, 24% of these people are in the ICU. The average daily number of people hospitalized has increased 94% in just two weeks.

On Wednesday, Public Health has confirmed 40 new deaths and 5,987 new cases of COVID-19. Since early November, average daily cases have increased by 225% and in the past week and a half the average has jumped to over 5,300 cases each day.

The County’s daily test positivity rate has also increased significantly and now is 13.0%. The test positivity rate was 3.9% on Nov. 1.
Increased COVID-19 transmission has a cascading impact in populations that are of particular concern. Weekly cases among healthcare workers increased 71% since the first week of November. Weekly new outbreaks at worksites increased 172% since early November. Weekly new cases among people who are residing in skilled nursing facilities increased 89% since early November. Cases at schools, both among staff and students, increased 224% since early November.

Along with the steep acceleration of COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations, the County is experiencing increases in people dying from COVID-19. Since Nov. 9, average daily deaths have increased 92%. This past week, average daily COVID-19 deaths climbed to 38.

To date, Public Health identified 414,185 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County and a total of 7,740 deaths. Upon further investigation, 198 cases reported earlier were not LA County residents.

The City of Glendale reported 6,473 cases; the City of La Cañada Flintridge reports 268 cases; Angeles National Forest reports two cases; Sunland reports 751 cases; Tujunga reports 899 cases. In the unincorporated portions of LA County, Angeles National Forest reports nine cases and La Crescenta/Montrose reports 352 cases.