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Additional 'Lower Risk' Businesses Can Reopen In LA County; Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Top 34K
Public health officials have issued a new order to allow more types of low-risk businesses to reopen.
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer says retailers that allow doorside pickup can open, with the exception of those in indoor shopping centers and malls. Manufacturing and logistic businesses that supply these lower risk retail businesses can also get back to work.
Ferrer noted that the amended order does not allow customers to enter stores, and businesses need to take several steps to ensure they are following public health protocols designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. She said:
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"We ask that you remember — both the public and the retailers — that this is just to offer curbside, doorside, or other outdoor or outside pickup or delivery. The public is not allowed to go into the retail businesses... before a retail business or a manufacturer or a warehouse opens, they are required to prepare, implement, and post their compliance with our directives to demonstrate that they're adhering to distancing and infection control practices that protect both employees and customers."
Ferrer did apologize for any confusion caused by her previous remarks and reiterated that while the main "Safer at Home" order is still in place, health officials will continue to update it and hope to ease restricitons as the recovery process continues.
"I had no intention of messaging that we weren't changing our order to reflect our recovery journey — since we are," she said.
BY THE NUMBERS
Public health officials reported 1,264 new confirmed cases of coronavirus today, bringing the total to at least 34,428 cases countywide. In total, 984 cases have been reported in Long Beach and 593 in Pasadena (those two cities operate their own health departments).
Ferrer reported 47 new deaths of COVID-19 patients. The total number of deaths countywide now stands at 1,659 people.
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Of the 47 people who've died in the past 24 hours, 33 were over 65 and, of those victims, 30 had underlying health conditions, Ferrer said. Nine victims were between 41 and 65 and eight of them had underlying health conditions. One victim was between 18 and 40, and had underlying health conditions.
So far, 92% of those who have died had underlying health conditions, Ferrer said. She also noted that the county has seen nearly 1,300 deaths in the past 30 days.
Ferrer had this message for L.A. County residents with underlying health conditions:
"I want to emphasize that if you have an underlying health condition — chronic lung disease, asthma, serious heart condition, HIV or another condition that affects your immune system — it is really important that you continue to do your best to stay home as much as possible to avoid coming into close contact with others who are not in your household. And if you begin to have symptoms that you contact your provider immediately."
Here are some other key figures being reported today:
- Just over 200,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 and had their results reported to L.A. county health officials. Of those tests, 11% have been positive. Ferrer noted that the number of reported tests decreased from over the weekend due to a reporting error.
- There are currently 1,763 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those individuals, 25% are in the ICU, with 17% on ventilators. Ferrer said officials continue to see "slight decreases in the number of people that are hospitalized."
- In total, 5,596 people who've tested positive for coronavirus in L.A. County have "at some point" been hospitalized, Ferrer said, which represents about 16% of all positive cases.
- The county health department is currently investigating 394 institutional facilities where there's at least one confirmed case of COVID-19. Those sites include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, shelters, treatment centers, supportive living, and correctional facilities. Ferrer said there are 8,548 confirmed cases in those facilities — 5,520 residents and 3,028 staff members.
- Ferrer said 257 cases have been confirmed among L.A. County residents struggling with homelessness — 140 of whom were sheltered. Health officials are currently investigating 27 shelter sites with confirmed cases.
- There have now been 457 confirmed cases "at some point in time" in county jail facilities, Ferrer reported. In total, 351 inmates and 106 staff members have tested positive.
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