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

twitter logo instagram logo facebook logo youtube logo Spotify logo

For Immediate Release:

September 15, 2020

Public Health Reports 47 New Deaths and 474 New Positive Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County - Public Health Reminds Residents COVID-19 Testing is Available

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 47 new deaths and 474 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. The lower number of new cases, in part, reflect reduced testing due to wildfire smoke and recent extreme weather.

Public Health reminds residents that testing capacity across the County remains high and appointments are available. Testing is also widely available within the provider community.

If you have symptoms or think you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should get tested. You should also get tested if you were in a crowd or gathering where people were close together and not wearing face coverings and/or keeping their distance.

For more information about getting tested, visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or call the County’s 2-1-1 information line. Those without a regular provider are encouraged to call 2-1-1 for assistance. Residents who have a regular source of healthcare can contact their healthcare provider if they need to be tested for COVID-19.

It is important to know if you are positive because you can transmit the virus without knowing you are infected. Younger people could unknowingly spread the disease to older and more vulnerable people with underlying health conditions who can suffer more severe illness. Ninety-two percent of the people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions.

To date, Public Health has identified 255,049 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 6,273 deaths. Nearly 70% of all cases have occurred in people under the age of 50.

Of the 47 new deaths reported today, 18 people that passed away were over the age of 80 years old, 17 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, seven people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, three people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49 years old, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. Thirty-six people who died had underlying health conditions including 13 people over the age of 80, 13 people between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, seven people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, two people between the ages of 30 and 49 years old, and one person between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. One death was reported by the City of Pasadena.

“So many are experiencing profound sorrow because they have lost a loved one or friend to COVID-19. I extend my deepest sympathies to each of you,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Tragically, we are reporting another death in person who was under 29 years old. Younger people not only are the majority of individuals infected and infecting others, but also can experience devasting consequences themselves. Nearly 450 COVID-19 deaths have occurred among individuals under the age of 50 years old. This is why it is important for everyone, including younger residents to take precautions every time they leave their homes and to get tested if they have been exposed to the virus."

Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 5,899 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 51% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 23% among White residents, 15% 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, 81 cases and five deaths reported earlier were not L.A. County residents.

Testing results are available for more than 2,465,000 individuals with 10% of all people testing positive. Currently, there are 772 confirmed cases currently hospitalized and 33% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. The downward trend in hospitalizations continues.

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 255049 *

Deaths 6273

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. 81 cases and five death previously 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.




#####