LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
News Release
Los Angeles County Public Health Logo

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 23, 2021

As County Surpasses 20,000 Deaths, Public Health Urges Businesses to Continue to Implement COVID Safety Measures
Public Health Reports 157 New Deaths and 2,091 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Today, Public Health has confirmed 157 new deaths and 2,091 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. In total, Public Health has identified 1,183,378 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and 20,057 deaths.

While new COVID cases and test positivity rates are declining, Los Angeles County remains in the most restrictive purple tier in the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In order to move into the red tier and have additional opportunities for re-openings, L.A. County’s daily case rate must be at or below 7 new cases per 100,00 people and the County's test positivity rate must be at or below 8%. Today the State released updated numbers; L.A. County's adjusted case rate is 12.3 new cases per 100,000 people and the test positivity rate is 5.1%.

Public Health inspectors examine businesses every day to ensure compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order, identify violations, and issue citations for businesses out of compliance. During Public Health's recent business compliance checks, inspectors noted restaurants with unapproved structures, tables less than eight feet apart, TVs turned on, staff without face shields, and retail stores not monitoring occupancy. In order to remain open, all businesses are required to adhere fully with their sector specific protocols. From February 14 through February 18, a total of 36 citations were issued to businesses including restaurants, food markets, gyms, personal care salons, and shopping malls for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders. Since the end of August, a total of 1,025 citations have been issued.

To limit the spread of COVID-19 within the workplace and community, we need the public, all business owners, and community organizations to support the modified operations of businesses and public spaces to make them as safe as possible during this pandemic.

Non-compliance from businesses contribute to increased community transmission when COVID-19 spreads among employees and customers. A list of non-compliant businesses that received citations can be found online.

“As we mark this heartbreaking day and note with sadness the loss of over 20,000 County residents, we mourn with all of you who have lost someone you love to COVID-19. We are deeply sorry for your loss, and wish you healing and peace,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As more and more of our County residents return to businesses and school, it’s important to remember that the actions we all take today will affect the numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths several weeks from now. As we continue to bear witness to the devastating loss of life from COVID-19, we ask that everyone continue to use the tools we know work to slow the spread of the virus: wear a mask and keep 6 feet of distance anytime you are around others not in your household. This virus is still easily transmitted among people in contact with each other and we must do all we can to continue the momentum of the decreases we are seeing cases, hospitalizations and deaths.”

Of the 157 new deaths reported today, 51 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 58 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 33 people that passed away were between the ages of 50 and 64, 12 people that passed away were between the ages of 30 and 49 and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29. Two deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

There are 2,146 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 31% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 5,778,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive.

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 1183378*

Deaths 20057

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. 116 cases and 4 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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