Today, July 24, the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 44 new deaths and 1,949 new cases of COVID-19. The lower number of cases are, in part, due to lab result reporting delays in the state electronic lab system. The number of cases is expected to increase in the coming days once the data becomes available.

Public Health reports there are 1,928 confirmed cases currently hospitalized and 29% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. There is a total of 2,470 confirmed and suspect cases that are currently hospitalized and 16% of these people are on ventilators. The hospitalization data is incomplete due to changes in reporting requirements from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS). This resulted in historical data from 11 non-reporting hospitals not being part of today’s update.

The state is working hard to remedy both these issues.

To date, Public Health has identified 168,757 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 4,300 deaths.

Of the 44 new deaths, 19 people who passed away (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena) were over the age of 80, eight people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, eight people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and eight people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49 years old. Thirty-six people had underlying health conditions including 17 people over the age of 80 years old, seven people between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, seven people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, and five people between the ages of 30 and 49 years old. One death was reported by the City of Pasadena.

The City of Glendale reports 2,105 cases to date, the City of La Cañada Flintridge reports 111 cases, Sunland reports 307 cases and Tujunga reports 248 cases. In the unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County, La Crescenta/Montrose reports 99 cases.

Ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 4,014 people (99% of the cases reported by Public Health).

Testing results are available for nearly 1,605,000 individuals with 10% of all people testing positive.

“We send our deepest sympathies to the many people across our County who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. Our hearts also go out to the many people who are hospitalized or feeling unwell because of this virus. We are thinking of you,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “Even with incomplete case and hospitalization data, we are seeing too much community spread of this virus, which means many of our friends, family and neighbors are sick and suffering. As we head into the weekend, I hope we each understand that continuing our recovery journey, including reopening schools and businesses, is only possible if we get back to slowing the spread. Wear a face covering, don’t gather with people you don’t live with and stay home as much as possible. The health of our community truly is a collective effort.”

Yesterday, Thursday, Public Health unveiled a tiered compliance plan that will include citations and fines for businesses that continue to violate Health Officer Orders. Beginning at the end of August, fines will be issued to non-compliant businesses that can range from $100 for the first offense to $500 and a 30-day permit suspension for multiple offenses. This includes businesses licensed and permitted by the department and those that are not. Current Orders require business owners to close indoor operations at many businesses and take immediate action to implement strategies that protect workers and customers and their families.

Business owners and residents must do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Public Health urges everyone to avoid the Three C’s: crowded places, confined spaces and close contact with others not in your household. Everyone should always wear a face covering securely over your nose and mouth and keep six feet apart from others not in your household when out in public. Public Health reminds everyone that you remain safer at home.

If a person has a positive lab result for COVID-19, expect a public health specialist from LA County Public Health to contact them by phone to interview about possible exposures and to identify others who may have also been exposed to the infection. The information is protected and cannot be shared with others except in emergency situations. A public health specialist will never ask for a social security number, payment or documented status. It is important if someone thinks they could be positive for COVID-19 and are awaiting testing results, to stay at home and act as if they are positive. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 24 hours after symptoms and fever subside.

Public Health has a dedicated call line for confirmed cases of COVID-19. Those who are positive for COVID-19 and have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services can call toll-free at (833) 540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue to call 211 for resources or more information.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.