Nearly 40% Of Businesses Surveyed Over The Weekend Violated LA County Health Order

As part of Los Angeles County’s work to begin the pandemic recovery process, health inspectors conducted surveys at 410 businesses — including flower shops busy for the Mother's Day rush — that had reopened over the weekend. Of those, 162 locations — nearly 40% — were in violation of the county health officer order.

“We did see many vendors that allowed customers into stores [were] not following the physical distancing measures and not requiring customers to wear cloth face coverings,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said at Monday’s media briefing. “Our inspectors had to require some businesses to close, since they were not able to come into compliance.”

Ferrer had this reminder for both business owners and customers:

L.A. County officials reported 591 new confirmed cases of coronavirus today, bringing the total to at least 32,258 cases countywide. In total, 948 cases have been reported in Long Beach and 551 in Pasadena (those two cities operate their own health departments).

Ferrer also reported 39 new deaths of COVID-19 patients. The total number of deaths countywide now stands at 1,569 people.

Of the 51 people who’ve died in the past 24 hours, 33 were over 65 and, of those victims, 22 had underlying health conditions, Ferrer said. Four victims were between 41 and 65 and three of them had underlying health conditions. One victim was between 18 and 40 and did not have underlying health conditions.

So far, 92% of those who have died had underlying health conditions, Ferrer said.

The death toll at institutional facilities in L.A. County — particularly at nursing homes — continues to climb. Ferrer reported that 779 residents at those facilities have died. That number represents 50% of all deaths countywide.

Here are some other key figures being reported today:

• More than 240,000 people have been tested for COVID-19 and had their results reported to L.A. County health officials. Of those tests, 12% have been positive.
• There are currently 1,690 people hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those individuals, 26% are in the ICU with 15% on ventilators. Ferrer noted “a slight decrease” in those numbers over the past week-and-a-half.
• Ferrer reported that 3,614 health care workers and first responders who work in L.A. County have tested positive and the vast majority of cases are among health care workers in nursing homes and hospitals. As of today’s update, 20 health care workers have died from COVID-19, she said, and 14 of those victims worked in county nursing homes.
• The county health department is currently investigating 359 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 8,164 confirmed cases in those facilities — 5,236 residents and 2,928 staff members.
• Ferrer gave an update on cases among pregnant women. So far, 134 pregnant women have tested positive for COVID-19 and 82% were symptomatic. Twenty-four of the 29 infants born to those women so far were tested for coronavirus at birth and all were negative, Ferrer said.
• Ferrer said 234 cases have been confirmed among L.A. County residents struggling with homelessness — 131 of whom were sheltered. Health officials are currently investigating 23 shelter sites with confirmed cases.
• There have now been 444 confirmed cases “at some point in time” in county jail facilities, Ferrer reported. In total, 339 inmates and 105 staff members have tested positive.

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:

• Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
• Where To Get Financial Assistance, Food And Other Help
• Tracking The Spread Of COVID-19
• Have A Question? We Will Answer It