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MEDIA RELEASE
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 227 new deaths and 3,353 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,152,239 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 18,360 deaths. There are 4,079 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 29% of these people are in the ICU.
Of the 227 new deaths reported Tuesday, 66 people who passed away were over the age of 80, 95 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 51 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and four people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. Eight deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and three deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.
Tuesday, Public Health confirmed five additional cases of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7. (U.K. variant), totaling eight cases in Los Angeles County. The B.1.1.7 variant is more easily transmissible, and verification of the variant in L.A. County means residents and businesses must be extremely diligent adhering to all public health safety measures, including wearing face coverings, distancing from others, and handwashing; these measures protect against transmission of the virus and known variants.
Despite recent decreases in the current COVID-19 surge of cases and hospitalizations, COVID-19 transmission remains widespread here in L.A. County and in many states and countries.
Travel increases the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Additionally, the risk may be greater with the prevalence of the more easily transmissible B.1.1.7 variant.
With the upcoming Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Presidents Day, Public Health advises against non-essential travel and gatherings with people not from your household. COVID-19 surged after Thanksgiving and Christmas travel in November and December. The more people travel, the more interactions they have with individuals outside of their household, the greater the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Shared transportation, including travel by air, bus, or rail, can not only put travelers at risk but also all members of the community if infected travelers spread COVID-19 to others after returning to Los Angeles County.
A travel advisory remains in effect for L.A. County. Anyone who is arriving to Los Angeles County must self-quarantine for 10 days; please remain at your home or lodging for the 10 days and avoid contact with others. If you must travel, please plan ahead. Know how widespread COVID-19 is in the area you must travel to. It is critical to not travel if you are sick. Residents should stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of illness, have not finished their isolation period after testing positive for COVID-19, or have not finished their quarantine period after being exposed or likely to have been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19. More guidance and information regarding the travel advisory can be found at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
“To the families and friends experiencing the sorrow of losing of a loved one due to COVID-19, I send my sincere condolences,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We are only weeks away from reducing transmission in L.A. County to a level where elementary schools will be allowed by the state to offer in-class instruction, provided they adhere to all State and County directives. Schools that decide to open will need to require masking, distancing and routine testing. Please do your part to continue to slow the spread so that our recovery journey does not suffer a setback.”
Public Health inspectors are inspecting businesses to ensure compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order. During Public Health’s recent business compliance checks, inspectors noted that many newly re-opened restaurants were not in compliance with employee face-covering and shelter structure requirements. To remain open, all businesses are required to adhere fully with their sector specific protocols. From January 27 through February 3, a total of 61 citations were issued to businesses including restaurants, gyms, personal care salons, hair salons/barbershops, and shopping malls for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders. Since the end of August, a total of 874 citations have been issued.
It is very important businesses understand, implement, and comply with protocols and directives; non-compliance can 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.
Testing results are available for more than 5,622,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive.
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.
