The County of Los Angeles updated the community with news surrounding COVID-19. Resources and assistance were listed for families that are feeling financially crippling affects from this pandemic. Public officials shared their concern about moving into recovery and economic stability. The feeling of hope is returning, as numbers reflect stability and decrease in community transmission.
Last Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom released a new tiered structure. Taken from the Office of Gavin Newsom Press Release, “The plan imposes risk-based criteria on tightening and loosening COVID-19 allowable activities and expands the length of time between changes to assess how any movement affects the trajectory of the disease.” It includes the following protocols: 21 days to expand activities beyond the initial tier to limit the spread of the virus, mandatory metrics, and case rates and tests. In addition to a standard framework, with four categories covering the existing 58 different sets of rules.
Throughout the pandemic, there has been many different models for monitoring the course of COVID-19. In response to the state issued news, Chairwoman Kathryn Barger stated, “I am thankful to the state for creating this new tiered system, which clearly lays out how Los Angeles County can perceive with reopening. The new process allows the County to slowly move through the process and address the health, social and economic impact of this virus while also better aligning us with neighboring counties.”
Businesses have been feeling the meteoric impact of the effects of COVID-19, public officials confirmed that L.A. COVID fund will grant between $5,000 and $25,000 to qualifying businesses. Nonprofits, business of commerce, and micro-entrepreneurs can look into applying for the grant, the fourth round was released today, there has over $100 million allocated in total.
Recent statistics were disclosed by Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. The reports shown on Monday reflect 16 additional deaths, eight of these individuals were over the age of 80, seven of them had underlining health conditions. Two people who died were between the ages of 65-79, 13 victims had preexisting health concerns. Four individuals were between the ages of 50-64, and five of them had underlining health problems. Two people who passed were between the ages of 30-49, all of them had previous medical issues. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in L.A. County to 5,784.
There were 1,022 new COVID-19 reports. In summary, there is a total amount of 241,786 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. 10,492 incidents were reported in the city of Long Beach and 2,368 cases in the city of Pasadena. Amid the unsheltered, there were 1,583 positive cases, 441 of those victims were properly isolated.
The relationship between COVID-19 infection and ethnicity were provided. The racial background collected from 5,443 fatal cases showed 10% were African American, 15% were Asian, slightly less than 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 51% were LatinX, 24% were White, and 1% identified as a different race or ethnicity. 92% of those who died due to COVID-19 had preexisting health concerns.
With the new blue print outlined by the state, one of the main priorities is finding a solid foundation for schools to reopen. The numbers in L.A. continues to drop significantly, the new state mandated structure provides clear navigation for reopening of the city. The County highly encourages the city remain vigilant and still upkeep existing safety protocols such as physical distancing, avoiding large crowds, and wearing face coverings.
