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) 288-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

twitter logo instagram logo facebook logo youtube logo Spotify logo

For Immediate Release:

March 20, 2021

New COVID-19 Cases Continue to Be Highest Among People Under 50 and COVID-19 Deaths Highest Among People Over 50

Today, Public Health has confirmed 56 new deaths and 521 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. In total, Public Health has identified 1,213,784 cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and 22,777 deaths.

Younger people continue to drive community transmission of COVID-19 in the County. Over 70% of the new cases today are from people under the age of 50 years old; conversely, 93% of today’s reported deaths are people who are over 50 years old. Residents between the ages of 30 and 49 years old have the highest percent of new cases at 33%, followed by residents between the ages of 18 and 29 years old, comprising 24% of all new cases.

As COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to decrease in L.A. County, Public Health urges residents to continue exercising caution as more sectors reopen and some activity restrictions get lifted. Just because certain activities can resume or reopening protocols are revised, that does not mean that those activities are safe or without risk. We are still in the middle of a pandemic, and whenever there are more opportunities for interactions with people not in your household, there can be more opportunities for transmission of the virus.

Since LA County is in the Red Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, private gathering can occur indoors with up to three separate households, with masking and distancing required at all times. Outdoors is still safer than indoors. People who are fully vaccinated can gather in small numbers indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated without required masking and distancing.

Gatherings, even with people you know who have no symptoms and have tested negative, can still result in spread of the virus to many people. The risk of spread increases when people are not diligent about consistently and correctly wearing face masks or keeping their physical distance and when people gather indoors.

“To the many people across our communities who are facing a time of sorrow without their loved ones who passed away from COVID-19, we are keeping you in our hearts and thoughts,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Many younger people are out socializing with non-household members, raising concerns that asymptomatic young people are unknowingly helping to spread the virus to more vulnerable people. Though we are making good progress in our vaccination efforts, we are entering a potentially perilous time if people let their guard down. It is important that we remain disciplined in our adherence to use of face masks, physical distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and delaying any non-essential travel. This is particularly important with the recent movement of the County to the Red Tier and as restrictions get lifted.” Of the 56 new deaths reported today, 21 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 19 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 13 people that passed away were between the ages of 50 and 64, and three people that passed away were between the ages of 30 and 49. There are 827 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 27% of these people are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Testing results are available for more than 6,000,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive.

For information about who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in L.A. County, how to make an appointment if it is your turn, what verifications you will need to show at your vaccination appointment, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. 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 1213784*

Deaths 22777

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. 25 cases and 1 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.


#####