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This San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Has The Highest Coronavirus Case Rate In LA County
A police officer mans the entrance to a coronavirus testing center in Hansen Dam Park on March 25, 2020 in Pacoima. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
Coronavirus cases are surging again in Los Angeles County, and one key hot spot is the San Fernando Valley community of Pacoima, which has the highest case rate in L.A.
Health officials report Pacoima has seen 506 cases per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks. That's more than 2.5 times the adjusted case rate for L.A. County during the same weeks.
Dr. Christine Park, chief medical officer for a group of community health centers that includes Pacoima Health Center, says one factor contributing to the spread is the large number of residents who are essential workers:
"So they have to go to work, and they may not have the benefit of paid time off either. So if they have symptoms, or if they test positive, not working means not getting paid."
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