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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:

February 20, 2021

Additional U.K. Variant Cases Confirmed in L.A. County - Public Health Reports 136 New Deaths and 2,393 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed two additional cases of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 (U.K. variant), totaling 14 cases in Los Angeles County.

This variant is known to spread more easily and quickly than other variants and is circulating in the state and county. In January 2021, scientists from U.K. reported evidence that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants. More studies are needed to confirm this finding. It is crucial for everyone to keep at least six feet of distance from others and to wear a mask whenever around people that don’t live with them. These measures limit the spread of the virus and known variants and can reduce the likelihood of a surge in cases due to this variant.

Today, Public Health has confirmed 136 new deaths and 2,393 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,179,063 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 19,793 deaths.

Residents under 50 years old make up 64% of the new COVID-19 cases reported today, with residents between the ages of 18 to 49 years old driving most of these cases. Residents 65 and older old make up just 15% of new cases but make up 71% of the reported deaths.

Of the 136 new deaths reported today, 43 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 54 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 23 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, five people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, and three people who died were between the ages of 18 and 29. Five deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and three deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

COVID-19 transmission remains widespread here in L.A. County, and variant cases are increasing. It is very important that if you are even mildly sick or think you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 that you stay home and away from other people, especially those at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, and that you consider being tested for COVID-19. This is essential to prevent you from unintentionally spreading COVID-19 to other people.

“I send my sincere condolences to the families and friends experiencing the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With the U.K. variant circulating in the County, we will likely see more variant cases identified in the County. We must remain diligent with our safety measures even though we see overall decreases in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Let's keep our guard up because we know letting our guard down will lead to more cases and, tragically, more deaths again."

There are 2,498 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 30% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 5,750,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive. Today's daily test positivity rate is 3.8%.

COVID-19 vaccine supply remains very limited. For information about vaccine appointments in L.A. County and when your turn is coming up, to sign up for a vaccination newsletter, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish).

County Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take 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 1179063*

Deaths 19793

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** Cases (Case Rate)

These numbers are subject to change based on further investigation. 102 cases and 5 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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