Wednesday, April 23. The Emergency Operations Center welcomed Director of the L.A. County Public Health; Barbara Ferrer shared new statistics surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. L.A. County officials piece together preliminary stages of recovery, as more research and results come from models predicting the behaviors of COVID-19.
L.A. County consistently looks at the data to gage the safest time to relax the Stay at Home Order. Public officials are in collaboration with medical personnel to gradually remove the restrictions, allowing Angelenos to return to work and social engagements. L.A. County officials stressed their decisions are weighed heavily by the data and science behind COVID-19.
Ten days ago, the Emergency Operations Center released findings from a projected modeling effort, guided by the Department of Health Services. This was produced to see the relationship between physical distancing and the spread of COVID-19. This model serves as a reference to emphasize the need of medical resources such as accessibility to more hospital beds. The data reflects a continual leveling of the cases of coronavirus. However new cases are not yet decreasing, this insinuates the need to maintain physical distancing measures.
Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health shared the latest updates on the COVID-19 Virus. Ferrer shared Wednesday, April 22. there were 66 additional deaths, 48 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over, 38 of them with underlining health conditions. 13 people were between the age of 41-65, and 9 individuals had preexisting health concerns. There were 2 victims between the age 18-40, both had underlining health issues. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 729. Barbara disclosed as of April 22. There are 1,318 new COVID-19 reports.
Data is reflecting 4.5% of carriers of the coronavirus have died, which is higher than the general mortality rate for influenza related deaths in the United States. These numbers reflect 477 positive cases in Long Beach and 261 COVID-19 reports coming from Pasadena. Within the unsheltered community, there were 100 positive coronavirus cases. Approximately 25% of those infected with COVID-19 are hospitalized at some point. 89% of positive cases that died, had underlining health conditions. In summary there 16,435 positive COVID-19 cases in the Los Angeles region.
The ethnicity correlation with coronavirus death rates was disclosed; 15% were African American, 18% were Asian, 37% were LatinX, 27% were white, and 2% identified who passed away, were from a different ethnicity. The disproportionate death rate within the African American and Asian communities was acknowledged.
Physical distancing has worked as a barrier from excessive strain on the overall healthcare system across the county. There are growing concerns for relaxation of the stay at home order, the uncertainty of health and financial support, and other anxiety filled issues due to coronavirus. The goal for these projected models is to provide as much clarity available to the LA County Health Services; many different factors can alter the results within any designated test or model.
The leveling result of the COVID-19 spread is due to the county’s continual effort to uphold social distancing guidelines. Public Officials agree to remain steadfast in social distancing but are looking into a plan that will move the city forward to recovery.
