Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA County's Worst Day Yet: 29 More Deaths, Confirmed Cases Pass 7,500
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
In Los Angeles County's worst day yet in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, public health officials announced that 29 more people have died and 620 more have tested positive.
This brings the total number who have died because of COVID-19 to 198. The dead include two health care workers. They also include 37 residents of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, where the number of reported outbreaks continues to rise.
Support for LAist comes from
In the last 48 hours, the county has reported 1,170 new cases, bringing the total so far to 7,530. These numbers rely on reported results and therefore lag behind the real number of infections. They don't yet reflect a "dramatic increase" in testing sites and availability, because those results aren't available yet, according to Barbara Ferrer, the county's public health director.
Here are the latest numbers:
- 17 of the people who died were over the age of 65, and all but one of them had underlying health conditions
- 7 of those who died were between 41-65, five of them with underlying health conditions
- 1 person was 18-40 and also had underlying health conditions
- 3 of those who died lived in Long Beach and 1 in Pasadena, and the county doesn't have details on them yet
- 2.6% mortality rate in L.A. County, an increase over recent days
- 12 cases among the homeless
- 131 institutional settings report cases:
- 43 in jail facilities (3 inmates and 40 staff)
- 10 in state prison (8 inmates and 2 staff)
- 2 in juvenile facilities (both staff)
- 4 in shelters serving homeless (2 staff and 2 residents)
- 324 health care workers have tested positive: 58% of those in hospitals, 16% in outpatient facilities, and 6% among emergency medical services. Nurses are the group most likely to have tested positive.
- 131 institutions have at least 1 case — these include assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, shelters, treatment centers, supportive living, and correctional facilities
- 596 total cases in these settings, including 314 among residents and 282 among staff
Ferrer stressed that for the cases reported in institutional settings, the majority are not outbreaks. The county declares an outbreak only when there are three or more confirmed cases. As soon as a case is confirmed, a team from the county contacts the facility and often visits to review with staff the protocols that are in place to prevent spread, Ferrer said.
She said some entire facilities have been placed on quarantine to prevent spread, but she hopes the county will not see outbreaks so bad that they would require evacuation, as was reported today in Riverside.
SOME STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT COVID-19
We're all living through this extraordinary and frightening pandemic. The vast majority of our newsroom has been working from home (here's some advice on that) since March 11 to bring you calm, helpful reporting. We are answering your questions and taking more.
Support for LAist comes from
We're here to help. And if you can help support that effort financially, we'd be grateful.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist