25 additional COVID-19 deaths reported
Monday, April 13. The Los Angeles Emergency Operation Center welcomed L.A. Chief Ray Leyva to speak on behalf of the L.A. Probation Department. Conditions and protocols were disclosed amid the COVID-19 crisis, that is affecting every part of the Los Angeles city Infrastructure. Director of Public Health provided revised data surrounding the cases of coronavirus.
There have been ongoing adjustments within the local institutional settings, such as Los Angeles correctional facilities. Changes include creating a flexible release date to combat the overcrowding in highly populated facilities. Young people in juvenile camps that are close to their release dates with a stable location to dwell in, are being released early. The County is looking to protect both staff and residents within the correctional facility.
Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health shared the latest updates on the COVID-19 Virus. Ferrer shared Monday, April 13. there were 25 additional deaths, 11 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over, with underlining health conditions. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 320. A quarter of the COVID-19 fatal cases happen within institutional facilities. The ethnicity relationship with coronavirus related deaths was also identified; 14% were African American, 18% were Asian, 33% were Latin, 33% were white, and 2% identified who passed away, were from a different ethnicity. Barbara disclosed as of April 13. There are 239 new coronavirus reports, this has been the lowest number of new cases reported since March 25th. In summary there is a total amount of 9,420 cases in the Los Angeles region.
These numbers reflect 337 positive cases in Long Beach and 117 COVID-19 reports coming from Pasadena. Of these new cases, 23 individuals tested positive are unsheltered. Approximately 25% of those infected with COVID-19 are hospitalized at some point. Data is reflecting 3.4% of carriers of the Corona Virus have died, which is higher than the general mortality rate for influenza related deaths in the United States.
Chief Ray Leyva disclosed information about the resources and protocols within local correctional facilities. Within this department, probation staff supervise over 37,000 adults daily. The L.A. Probation office manages two juvenile halls, six juvenile camps, and treatment facilities. The priority Leyva stated, is protect everyone who lives in, works in, and visit these locations during this time. They are following the guidelines outlined by the public health department, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among staff and members of the detention centers.
Officer Leyva stated there are no positive cases within the youth that live in Juvenile locations. Regrettably, among the probation staff there is 16 employees that tested positive for coronavirus. Chief Ray Leyva ensured that the department is constantly monitoring the health and wellbeing of the staff and those under supervision. Some adjustments include, individual showers within the correctional facility, monitored congregations, and meal seating more spread out. Visitation of the halls remain suspended, but extended phone privileges and additional services have been provided to combat the feeling of isolation for those detained. Looking to reduce population within Juvenile home and camps, they have reduced those who were detained by 30%. The responsibility of community safety and innovative resources to fight the spread of COVID-19 has been the constant factor for the County of L.A.
