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LA County Reports 'Most Dramatic Increase In Deaths' To Date In the COVID-19 Pandemic
A skywriter on Friday advised: Stay Home. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today confirmed 711 new cases of the coronavirus and 28 new deaths. That brings county totals to 5,325 cases and 119 deaths.
Among the 28 individuals for whom the illness was fatal, 21 had underlying health conditions and 17 were over the age of 65.
County health officials also reported that three of the people who have died were between the ages of 18 and 65 and did not have any underlying conditions that put them at higher risk.
The county is getting more and more tests, and officials’ ability to test is increasing. Almost 29,000 people have been tested for coronavirus, with 14% coming back positive.
However, cases are growing more rapidly than ever; the past 48 hours have seen 1,238 new cases. Barbara Ferrer, the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s director said:
"This is the most dramatic increase in deaths we have seen since the COVID-19 crisis began, and our condolences go out to each and every person impacted by these heartbreaking losses."
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