Monday, June 8, 2020

Coronavirus Cases Top 64,000 in L.A. County; More Business Openings Possible

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The number of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County topped 64,000 Monday and another 10 deaths were reported, while county officials said they are reviewing new state guidelines that could allow a wider array of businesses to reopen by week’s end.

The 10 new deaths, including one that was announced Sunday by Pasadena health officials, lifted the countywide death toll from COVID-19 to 2,655. The county Department of Public Health also announced another 823 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, lifting the county’s total to 64,644.

The numbers of deaths and newly confirmed cases released by the county tend to be lower on Mondays and Tuesdays due to a lag in reporting over the weekend. Cases and deaths have continued to steadily rise in the county, but health officials have said that key indicators, such as hospitalization rates, have remained steady or declined, providing the confidence behind recent restricted re-openings of businesses such as dine-in restaurants and hail salons.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Los Angeles County Announces 36 New Deaths Related to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

1,445 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 36 new deaths and 1,445 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Twenty-five people who died were over the age of 65 years old; nine people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Twenty-nine people had underlying health conditions including 22 people over the age of 65 years old, six people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old, and one person between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach.

To date, Public Health has identified 61,045 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,565 deaths. Ninety-four percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died,

Thursday, June 4, 2020

County Announces 44 New COVID-19 Deaths

1,469 New Cases Confirmed on Thursday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

County health officials reported 44 additional deaths and 1,469 new cases of the Coronavirus on Thursday

The large increase in positive cases reflects a lag in reporting from one lab of over 500 positive cases.

To date, the department has identified 59,650 positive cases of the virus across all 88 cities in the LA County, and a total of 2,531 deaths.

“To everyone across our LA County community who is mourning a loved one who has passed away from COVID-19, we share in your sorrow. We are thinking of you and praying for you every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health.

Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,341 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health) 41 percent of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents,

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

County Reports 46 New COVID-19 Deaths

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County health officials reported 46 new deaths and 1,155 new Coronavirus cases on Wednesday.

To date, the county has identified 58,234 positive cases across all areas, leading to 2,489 deaths.

“L.A. County has suffered a great deal of loss from COVID-19. As a community, we are mourning with the families and friends who have passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health. “Because the incubation period for COVID-19 is 14 days, if you think you’ve had a possible exposure to the virus because you’ve been in close proximity for 15 minutes or more with others who are not wearing face-coverings, please consider remaining away from all others for 14 days. If you have been exposed and have people in your home who are at greater risk of having serious illness from the virus because they are older or have underlying health conditions, it is very important to take all precautions to not expose vulnerable people.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

L.A. County Reports 60 New COVID-19 Deaths on Tuesday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Health officials reported 60 new deaths and 1,202 new Coronavirus cases on Tuesday.

So far, L.A. County has seen 57,118 positive cases of the virus that have led to 2,443 deaths.

“Each day, we are thinking of the many people who have lost their loved ones to the Coronavirus. We are deeply sorry for your loss, and we wish you peace through this very difficult time,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health. “We urge everyone, including the people across our community who are engaging in protest, to please care for each other by practicing physical distancing as much as possible and wearing a cloth face covering when around other people. These actions are important in preventing many more cases and hospitalizations from COVID-19. These actions can save lives.”

L.A. County last week allowed in-person dining at restaurants to resume and hair salons to reopen once the establishments are able to implement the required distancing and infection control directives.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

L.A. County Business Leaders Urge Officials to Lift Restrictions on Reopening

By ELIZABETH MARCELLINO, City News Service

Leaders in the film, sports, theme park, business and restaurant industries Tuesday presented detailed plans for reopening to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, urging county officials to allow them to move as quickly as safely possible.

Members of the Economic Resiliency Task Force have been working for weeks with other industry representatives, including unions, on safety guidelines and best practices.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who chairs the committee, began by offering her support for peaceful protests in the name of George Floyd, whose in- custody death in Minneapolis has sparked demonstrations across the U.S. and around the world.

“This board is committed to protecting the right of protesters to exercise their First Amendment right,” Barger said. “I want to remind everyone that it is our vulnerable communities who are experiencing the most severe health and economic impacts of this virus. Family-owned businesses have the smallest margin of error to financially recover …

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

LA Courts to Offer Remote Court Appearance Technology for Some Cases

By ELIZABETH MARCELLINO, City News Service

Los Angeles County’s court system is expanding its technology to allow attorneys and self-represented litigants to appear remotely through audio or video appearances in certain cases starting later this month, it was announced Tuesday.

The program, called LACourtConnect, will be available first for cases involving civil settlements and probate matters on calendar starting the week of June 22.

Throughout the rest of the summer, the program will launch in phases for all limited civil, unlimited civil and complex, family law and traffic courtrooms, according to court officials.

“LACourtConnect will provide a safe and convenient alternative to coming through the courthouse doors to appear for your hearing,” Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile said. “As we restore court operations on June 15 and gradually resume hearings beginning June 22, we want to assure litigants and attorneys the court will open its doors with infection control measures, social distancing and face covering requirements.”

Court fees for each remote appearance will be $15 for an audio appearance,

Monday, June 1, 2020

Los Angeles County Announces 22 New COVID-19 Deaths

978 new cases confirmed on Monday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

County health officials announced 22 new deaths and 978 new cases of the Coronavirus on Monday.

To date, 55,968 positive cases of the virus have been identified in LA County, leading to 2,384 deaths.

“This is a very difficult time in our communities, and there are many people who are experiencing the profound sorrow of loved ones who have passed away from COVID-19. We are deeply sorry for your loss. Please know we think of you every day,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health.

Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 2,200 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health) 41 percent of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 28 percent among White residents, 17 percent among Asian residents, 12 percent among African American residents, 1 percent among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1 percent among residents identifying with other races.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Friday, Los Angeles County Announces 50 New Deaths Related to Coronavirus

1,824 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 announced

STAFF REPORT

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed 50 new deaths and 1,824 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the county.

Officials said some of the new cases reported are from a backlog of test results.

Thirty-three people who died were over the age of 65 years old; 13 people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and four people who died were between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Forty people had underlying health conditions including 30 people over the age of 65 years old, seven people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old, and three people between the ages of 18 and 40 years old.

To date, Public Health has identified 51,562 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 2,290 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions.

Thursday, May 28, 2020

As Malls Reopen, County Reports 48 More COVID-19 Deaths

1,094 New Cases Confirmed

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Another 48 Coronavirus deaths were reported in LA County on Thursday, as local shopping malls began reopening their doors thanks to loosened health restrictions.

Meanwhile, county officials awaited word from the state on the possible return of dine-in restaurants and hair salons.

The new fatalities lifted the county’s death toll to 2,241.

County health officials also announced another 1,094 confirmed cases of the illness, bringing the total to 49,774.

The new cases were announced as more businesses took advantage of relaxed health restrictions and began welcoming customers inside. Thousands of residents weary of curbside-only shopping — or perhaps just looking for a chance to get out of the house — made their way to malls such as the Citadel Outlets in Commerce and the Glendale Galleria Thursday, taking advantage of the newly reopened retail centers.

`We feel very confident, and we feel very confident because all of the work everybody has already done to get us here,”