Friday, April 24. Los Angeles Public Officials announced prerequisites to relax the Safer at Home Order. The L.A. County has been monitoring the spread and behavior of the coronavirus, they are moving very cautiously towards re-opening the economy. All decisions are dependent on the science and data behind COVID-19; Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer released latest updates surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. Leaders of the city outlined the safety measures in place, as they strategize future recovery stages. There is a high risk for a surge in COVID-19 related deaths and positive cases once the order is lifted without precaution.
Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health shared the latest updates on the COVID-19 Virus. Ferrer shared Friday, April 24. there were 52 additional deaths, 43 of these individuals were between the ages of 65 and over, 34 of them with underlining health conditions. 7 people were between the ages of 41-65, with preexisting health concerns. There was 1 victim between the ages 18-40, with underlining health issues. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 848.
Ferrer disclosed as of April 24. There are 1,035 new coronavirus reports.
These numbers reflect 518 positive cases in Long Beach and 293 COVID-19 reports coming from Pasadena. Within the unsheltered community, there were 100 positive coronavirus cases. This includes people who were staying at a shelter, they are now appropriately isolated. Approximately 25% of those infected with COVID-19 are hospitalized at some point. 91% of positive cases that died, had underlining health conditions. In summary there 18,517 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, 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 37% were LatinX, 28% were white, and 1% identified who passed away, were from a different race or ethnicity. The disproportionate death rate within the African American and Asian communities was acknowledged.
There are four benchmarks that will measure the safety of lifting the stay at home order. The first is to maintain the capacity in hospitals, as well as primary and specialty care facilities. The data currently conducted by the Department of Health Service (DHS) indicates that the hospitals are in good standing.
Secondly, there is a need for protection of those who are most susceptible to contract the virus. There must be plans for the unsheltered community and those with underlining health conditions. Following that protection measurement, the third benchmark is to have the capacity to isolate people who contract COVID-19. There must be enough locations where patients can self-isolate if they test positive for the virus.
The final prerequisite is to maintain physical distancing and infection control. The County will provide businesses with educational materials and guidelines to adhere to social distancing. Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated, “ Ultimately we want as many people to return to work safely and as quickly as possible, if we meet our guidelines I shared, we can prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19 when we loosen physical distancing measures.”
