Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
News

Another Terrible, Record-Breaking Day For LA Covid Numbers

The latest COVID-19 numbers for L.A. County. (Courtesy of L.A. County)

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

Los Angeles County continues its frightening trend of breaking COVID-19 records. Public health officials today reported another 258 deaths from coronavirus, surpassing an all-time high set only yesterday.

Similarly high death totals were reported last week but those numbers included delayed records due to an internet outage over Christmas.

Today's statistics bring the total number of county residents who have died from coronavirus to 11,328.

In addition, health officials announced 11,841 new cases of coronavirus today. They say one out of every five people who are getting tested are testing positive for COVID-19.

At today's COVID-19 briefing, L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer says she's "more concerned than ever" and called the current situation a "health crisis of epic proportions."

"People who were otherwise leading healthy, productive lives are now passing away because of a chance encounter with the COVID-19 virus. This only ends when we each make the right decisions to protect each other," Ferrer said.

Right now, 8,023 COVID-19 patients are receiving hospital care in L.A. County — a number that has dropped slightly for the first time in several days. But officials warn that even if that number appears to be plateauing, the rate of hospitalizations is still well above what the county's hospital system can safely handle.

Sponsored message

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County hit 852,165.


OVERALL LOOK AT LA COUNTY NUMBERS:
Here's a look at longer-term trends in the county. To see more, visit our California COVID-19 Tracker and choose L.A. or any other California county that interests you. These numbers are current as of Wednesday, Jan. 6.

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right