Thursday, May 14, The Los Angeles Operation Center shared news surrounding the adjustments made in the COVID-19 recovery stages. Public officials disclosed a status update on the overall condition of the city, as L.A. continues to take steps into a new reality. The Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer provided the most up to date statistics that surround the coronavirus outbreak. Los Angeles elected officials continue mapping out the new territory of existing with a deadly virus. The L.A. County addressed the pressing matters surrounding the immigrant population and how they are being affected by COVID-19.
Supervisor Hilda Solis stated on May 14, residents living in unincorporated county areas in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th supervisory districts will be able to get rental assistance. She announced within her district, 1.6 million dollars will be allocated towards rental assistance. Solis stated, “In my district, I allocated 1.6 million dollars for all 1st district unincorporated areas toward residential and commercial rent relief.” The first district includes downtown L.A., Pomona, Eagle Rock, and South Gate. The relief will be three thousand dollars over the course of three months.
Solis also set aside funding towards small property owners that rely on the rent that came from their tenants. COVID-19 affected every part of transactional business, everyone from the landlord to the tenants need assistance. Solis stated,” COVID-19 is affecting OUR residents, making people gravely sick, and killing far too many people,” Solis continued, “We also recognize that deep poverty can kill.”
Additionally, the 2nd district unincorporated areas will receive 1.8 million dollars in federally funded emergency rental assistance under the supervision of Mark Ridley-Thomas. The areas under the 2nd District include Athens, East and West Rancho Dominguez, Florence Firestone, Ladera Heights, Lennox, View park, Windsor Hills and Willowbrook. The Executive Director Emilio Salas noted this COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance provides a “dual benefit” to both tenant and property owner. There is a partnership between the Los Angeles Community Development Authority (LACDA), The Board of Supervisors, and the 2-1-1 operations.
The Director of Public Health shared the latest updates on the COVID-19 Virus. Dr. Ferrer shared Thursday, May 14, there were 51 additional deaths, 35 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over, 32 of them with underlining health conditions. 12 people who died were between the ages of 41-65, 11 of them had preexisting health concerns.
This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 1,709. The public health director wanted to paint a vivid picture of the scale and magnitude in coronavirus related deaths. Ferrer stated, “Last year 120 people died from influenza and the year before about 300 people died,” She continued, ”On average we lose about 250 lives to influenza every year, you can understand why the death rate for COVID-19 is so worrisome.” Ferrer wanted to emphasize the importance in staying at home to those who have health problems. 92% of the people who passed away from coronavirus had preexisting health concerns; the directives are in place to prevent a fatal outcome for those who are most susceptible to the virus.
Ferrer disclosed as of May 13, there were 925 new COVID-19 reports. In summary, there is a total amount of 35,329 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. 1,094 incidents were reported in the city of Long Beach and 607 cases in the city of Pasadena. Among the unsheltered community, the positive case count has reached 261, with 140 victims sheltered and properly isolated. 16% of all positive cases end up being hospitalized at some point.
Moving forward the Emergency Operation Center will focus on immigrant concerns every week; to address the impacts within the immigrant households. Every community needs to be well informed about what steps are being taken into recovery. L.A. County officials provided resources available for immigrants and their families. There are over ten million residents and every ethnicity is experiencing the pressure of COVID-19.
