In the course of this present day, Los Angeles County exceeds 500,000 COVID-19 cases and continues to break all-time records; 50 new deaths and 13,815 new positive cases of confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, according to Los Angeles County Public Health. Los Angeles Public Health stated in a tweet that with surging numbers of daily COVID-19 cases and hospital capacity dangerously low, Public Health urges compliance to health protocols.
On December 12th, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 70 new deaths and 11,476 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. To date, Public Health has identified 512,872 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 8,269 deaths.
The Los Angeles Public Health news release states that all key Public Health indicators are increasing to record levels. One month ago, on November 12th, the 5-day average of cases was 2,134 and today the 5-day average is 10,034; this is an increase of 370% in just one month. The 5-day average of deaths one month ago, on November 12, was twelve (12); today (December 12th), average daily deaths it’s sixty-two (62). In just thirty (30) days the deaths have increased 416% across the County.
During that same time frame, the Public Health recorded a positivity rate that has increased 141%; today (December 12th), the daily test positivity rate is 14.2%. Hospitalizations increased 303% in one month; today (December 12th). On December 12, the public Health reported 3,850 COVID-19 hospitalizations, and 22% of COVID-19 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The facts on the LA Public Health news release states that ninety three percent (93%) of the people who died from COVID-19 had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 7,813 people (ninety-nine percent (99%) of the cases reported by Public Health); fifty two percent (52%) of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, twenty three percent (23%) among White residents, fourteen percent (14%) among Asian residents, nine percent (9%) among African American/Black residents, less than one percent (1%) among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and one percent (1%) among residents identifying with other races.
Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said Friday “I again want to sound an alarm that we’ve been sounding for the last month,” during her daily coronavirus pandemic update for the region. The dire and ominous situation prompted her to forewarn of a possible problem. “We’re on a very dangerous track to seeing unprecedented and catastrophic suffering and death,” she warned. “I’m making a request to everyone to stay home.”
I interviewed California resident, Tonya on Friday by way of; through FaceTime and she said that she’s currently quarantining for fourteen (14) days due to becoming exposed after being in close proximity with someone at her job who contracted the virus from their relative. “I only lost my sense of smell and taste,” she said “But I take my vitamins every day, drink water and have emergen-c powder mixture to use with water.” When asked if she’d tested positive, she replied “I’m waiting on my test result and will remain quarantined until after the fourteen (14) days and testing negative.”
Tonya, who is also fifty-four (54) years old, said that keeping your physical distance is very important being a frontline worker. She had taken all precautions in advance to prevent any disease/viruses in her work area. "I had all the cleaning supplies, gloves and hand sanitizers," she said, "we are all still vulnerable and must stick close to the cdc guidelines." She concluded the interview with cautionary advice—don’t break the guidelines for any reason or have an unwillingness to wear a mask because it decelerates the transmission of the virus.
The Public Health says that in order to stop the surge, “Los Angeles County residents will need to use tools at hand to slow the community transmission and reduce the number of infected people. The strategies that work remain the same: no gatherings/events with others outside your immediate household, always and correctly wear your face coverings/masks when around others, and always maintain your physical distance from others who are not from your household.” In relation to this surge and strategies, the Public Health also says that everyone should stay at home except to provide or receive essential services and avoid all non-essential travel.
Additionally, the Public Health, with a strong impulse, urges people to get tested if you have symptoms or an exposure, and isolate immediately from your family and others if you have symptoms or test positive COVID-19. In conclusion, the Los Angeles Public Health ensures that if we take those actions, we will save lives.
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