LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
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313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806  |  Los Angeles, CA 90012  |  (213) 240-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

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For Immediate Release:

October 24, 2020

Public Health Reports 17 New Deaths and 2,173 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County - The Number of COVID-19 Cases Includes Backlog Test Results

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 17 new deaths and 2,173 new cases of COVID-19. Today's number of new cases include an estimated 1,200 backlog cases due to technical issues with data reporting systems this week. Public Health may receive additional backlog test results over the coming days.

To date, Public Health has identified 298,937 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,989 deaths. Testing results are available for more than 3,000,000 individuals with 9% of all people testing positive.

There are 770 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 29% of these people are in the ICU.

Public Health surveys skilled nursing facilities in the County for compliance with mandated COVID-19 testing and reporting of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. All 340 skilled nursing facilities in the County conduct weekly testing of residents and staff. For the week of October 10, more than 44,500 COVID-19 tests were completed among staff and residents. That week, a total of 172 people with COVID-19 were reported among staff and residents; 84 new cases among residents and 88 new cases among staff. Of the 340 facilities, 236 facilities reported no positive cases. All skilled nursing facilities reported having adequate staffing and 97% percent reported having adequate PPE. Public Health remains in regular contact with skilled nursing facilities and provides facilities with technical assistance, guidance, emergency supplies of personal protective equipment, and COVID-19 testing support.

“To the families and friends who are mourning their loved ones lost to the COVID-19 pandemic, we wish you healing and peace,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. "As we reopen more sectors and increase the number of high-needs students permitted for in-person learning, we all must be deliberate with the implementation of infection control and distancing protocols that prevent COVID-19 transmission. As we move closer to the tragic milestone of 7,000 deaths in L.A. County and are seeing an increase in cases, please remember the choices we each make every day have a significant impact on whether we slow the spread of the virus. The virus doesn’t take a break for parties or celebrations. The best way to honor our sports teams and each other is to always wear a face covering, keep our distance from those not in our household, avoid crowds, and only gather with 2 other households when outside."

Of the 17 new deaths reported today, six people that passed away were over the age of 80 years old, five people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, five people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and one person who died was between the ages of 30 and 49 years old. Fourteen people who died had underlying health conditions including five people over the age of 80, five people between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, three people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and one person between the ages of 30 and 40 years old.

Ninety-three percent of the people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 6,583 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 52% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 23% among White residents, 14% among Asian residents, 10% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 57 cases and two deaths reported earlier were not L.A. County residents.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website,www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Please see additional information below:

Laboratory Confirmed Total Cases 298937 *

Deaths 6989

Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

Hospitalization

Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

CITY / COMMUNITY (Rate**)

These numbers are subject to change based on further investigation. 57 cases and two deaths previously reported were not in Public Health's jurisdiction. * Means that case numbers include cases associated with correctional facility outbreaks located in the city/community. **Rate is crude and is per 100,000. This represents the number of cases per 100,000 people and allows for the proportional comparison of cities of different sizes.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion. To learn more about Los Angeles County Public Health, please visit www.publichealth .lacounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lacounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lapublichealth, facebook.com/lapublichealth, instagram.com/lapublichealth and youtube.com/lapublichealth.

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