LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
News Release
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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:

April 20, 2021

L.A. County Makes Progress with State Metric Thresholds - 33 New Deaths and 360 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 33 new deaths and 360 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,229,641 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 23,668 deaths.

Of the 33 new deaths reported today, 16 people that passed away were over the age of 80, eight people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, seven people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49.

Today, the state released updated numbers; L.A. County's adjusted case rate dropped from 3.2 new cases per 100,000 people to 2.7 new cases per 100,000. The test positivity rate dropped from 1.5% to 1.2%, and in areas with the fewest health affirming resources, L.A. County’s test positivity rate dropped from 1.9% to 1.4%.

Los Angeles County remains in the orange tier in the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework. In order to move to the least restrictive yellow tier, the County's case rate must be less than 2 new cases per 100,000 people and test positivity must be less than 2%.

"To everyone mourning the passing of a loved one, we wish you healing and peace," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. "The numbers released today provide evidence that we are on the right course and if we experience additional declines in the case rate, COVID-19 transmission will be considered minimal in L.A. County and we will be able to move to the least restrictive yellow tier. In order for continued decline in transmission of COVID-19, we will need to remain vigilant and continue to take precautions in the weeks ahead allowing us time to vaccinate more people."

There are 465 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 21% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 6,346,000 individuals with 18% of people testing positive.

From April 12 to April 18, Public Health inspectors visited a total of 1,641 businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms, hair salons and barbershops, hotels, garment manufactures, and markets. Inspectors noted some businesses had not completed and posted their protocols and needed to improve physical distancing safety measures. Inspectors noted 63% of hotels, 64% of bars, 74% of restaurants and 83% of hair salons barbershops, completed and posted their protocols, and 81% of hotels, 88% of restaurants, 89% of bars, and 90% of markets were in compliance with physical distancing. Only 34% garment manufactures completed and posted their protocols and only 66% were in compliance with physical distancing safety measures. Overall, the compliance inspections revealed that while the majority of businesses were in compliance, there is room for improvement.

Everyone living or working in L.A. County 16 and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. To learn how to make an appointment, what verifications people will need to show at the 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 1229641*

Deaths 23668

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. 34 cases and 6 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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