In less than a month, Los Angeles County recorded more than 5,000 COVID-19-related deaths, a pace that highlights the rampant and relentless spread of the virus throughout the county.
In the roughly nine months between the first reported death on March 11 and the end of last year, the disease caused by the new coronavirus killed just over 10,000 people in the county. In the 24 days since then, the rate of death has accelerated dramatically with 5,106 people killed.
The official death toll from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is 15,162, after 269 deaths and 10,537 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Saturday. Overall, the county’s total confirmed cases reached 1,064,887.
“We wish healing and peace to everyone who is mourning a loved one lost to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health for Los Angeles County, in a statement. “Many people continue to spread this virus and, tragically, now more than 15,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.”
Of Saturday’s deaths, 62% of those killed were 65 or older – a risky demographic group that county officials are struggling to vaccinate against quickly.
The county also reported that 6,881 patients with COVID-19 are hospitalized, with 24% needing intensive care. These numbers offered a kind of silver lining as they mark the first time the county has dropped to less than 7,000 hospitalizations since December 29.
However, the hospital’s ICU capacity remains at 0% in Southern California.
“Although we are seeing some positive data in new daily cases and hospitalizations, we are far from out of danger,” said Ferrer. “It is extremely important to slow the spread of COVID-19 in order to relieve pressure on our health system and save lives.”
She added: “Please continue to adhere to all safety measures to protect yourself and others: stay at home as much as possible, wear a face cover, avoid meetings, keep your distance and wash your hands often. ”.
On Saturday, the municipality also registered eight new cases of a severe inflammatory disease that affects children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the disease, known as MIS-C, is associated with COVID-19 and causes parts of the body and vital organs to become severely inflamed. Children may experience symptoms such as “abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, neck pain, rash, red eyes” and fatigue.
There are currently 62 cases in the county, with Latinos accounting for almost 74% of all infections. There was a death.
Each child with MIS-C was hospitalized with 45% of the children being admitted to the ICU.
In Orange County, 78 deaths and 2,725 new COVID-19 infections were reported on Saturday, bringing the total area to 221,493 cases and 2,625 deaths, according to the county health agency.
There are currently 1,818 hospitalized patients, with 482 of them requiring intensive care.
Between January 10 and 16, Orange County also reported 31 COVID-19 infections linked to county schools. Eleven students, 11 employees and nine teachers were infected, with the majority of cases originating in elementary and high schools.
Since mid-August, 1,229 Orange County students, 490 teachers and 399 employees have hired COVID-19.
The county also reported that 152,368 people in total have recovered from the virus.