With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
COVID-19 Deaths Top 3,800 In LA County As State Reverses Local Reopenings
Los Angeles County's coronavirus task force delivered an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. Read highlights below or watch the full video above.
Following new state guidelines announced today, L.A. County public health officials said new protocols will be issued, closing a variety of businesses and spaces that had reopened in recent weeks. That includes:
- Places of worship
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Hair salons and barbershops
- Nail salons
- Spas
- Tattoo shops
- Indoor malls
"I know this step back in our recovery journey is disheartening," County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said, "but we must do everything in our power to stop the virus from spreading — from the making of people we love sick, and from causing untimely death."
Support for LAist comes from
Ferrer noted that while the death rate for the coronavirus has declined, health experts are bracing for an increase in deaths as infections and hositalizations surge.
Given the available data, "everything is pointing towards an alarming trend," she said, adding:
"Our data shows us that every day, thousands of people in our communities are being infected with COVID-19 and our friends, families and neighbors are being hospitalized at a much higher rate. While our death rate has remained relatively stable, we anticipate that, unfortunately, with the rise in hospitalizations, we will soon see corresponding increases in the number of people who pass away."
Los Angeles County officials reported 2,593 new confirmed cases of coronavirus today, bringing the total to at least 136,129 cases countywide.
Ferrer also reported 13 new deaths of COVID-19 patients — all of whom were over 65. The total number of deaths countywide now stands at 3,822 people.
So far, 93% of those who have died had underlying health conditions, Ferrer said.
Ferrer also provided a racial breakdown of the confirmed deaths, based on information confirmed for 3,533 of the victims. According to the latest available information:
- 46% Latino / Latina [48.6% of county residents]
- 11% African American [9% of county residents]
- 26% White [26.1% of county residents]
- 16% Asian [15.4% of county residents]
- “Slightly less than" 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander [0.4% of county residents]
- 1% identified as belonging to another race or ethnicity
SHARP INCREASE IN WORKPLACE OUTBREAKS
Support for LAist comes from
Ferrer shared the county's latest data, which showed that the sharpest increase in recent outbreaks of COVID-19 are happening at workplaces and offices, including warehouses, manufacturing and retail businesses.
(Courtesy Los Angeles County)
()
"What this tells us is clear: that business owners and operators must take their employee health needs seriously, and they must heed the public health directives," Ferrer said. "There are real consequences to not following the infection control directives that are in place. People's health and their livelihoods are at risk."
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.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist