COVID-19 Update: Mayor Garcetti encourages Angelenos to get flu vaccines by end of October
September 17, 2020
Los Angeles County has the most cases in the United States, as other hotspots like New York have seen a decrease in the number of new cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecasts an upward trend in the number of deaths nationwide. L.A. County currently holds the record for the most confirmed cases in the nation.
We have compiled data and guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to provide an update for L.A. County. Data is up to date as of Sept. 17. Here is your weekly COVID-19 update.
Total cases:
Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in L.A. County on Jan. 26, the number of positive cases continues to rise. Over 2% of L.A. County’s population of 10 million has COVID-19.
Hospitalizations:
There are 739 COVID-19 positive patients currently hospitalized in L.A. County. 232 COVID-19 positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit. The county currently has 958 available ICU beds.
Race and ethnicity:
L.A. County’s data show cases and deaths disproportionately affect people of color.
The L.A. County Department of Public Health reported that Latinos make up 59.6% of cases with data on race and ethnicity, while the white population accounts for 12.6% of cases with data on race and ethnicity. Latinos account for 51.2% of all COVID-19 deaths.
Local official updates:
Newsom hints at theme parks reopening
Gov. Gavin Newsom said theme parks would be opening soon during a press conference on Wednesday, but did not provide a timeline for reopening. Southern California theme parks like Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm have been closed for six months. The city of Anaheim has taken an economic hit as these major sources of revenue have been shuttered.
Newsom also said on Wednesday that data from the Labor Day weekend has not yet come in yet. Local officials believed the long weekend would be an indicator of behavior about slowing the spread of the virus.
Mayor Garcetti reminds Angelenos to get annual flu vaccine
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti urged residents in a press conference on Wednesday to get flu vaccines by the end of October.
Garcetti echoed the concerns of Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. leading infectious diseases expert, that a second wave of the virus will come in the fall.
“We need to hunker down and get through this fall and winter, because it’s not going to be easy,” Fauci said on a panel with Harvard Medical School doctors on Sept. 10.
Jobless claims in California may be linked to fraud
An uptick in jobless claims through the Employment Development Department is linked to suspected fraudulent claims. Some Californians who did not apply for unemployment insurance have been receiving letters from EDD in the mail, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.
Police arrested individuals in Beverly Hills earlier this month after investigating a ring that has opened fraudulent accounts to obtain weekly benefits through EDD debit cards.
What’s open:
Grocery stores
Essential retail
Some non-essential retail with modifications
Parks and beaches with modifications
Golf courses
Hotels with modifications
Shared residential pools
Nail salons – (outdoors with modifications)
Hair salons – limited to 25% capacity
Barber shops – limited to 25% capacity
Gyms (outdoors with modifications)
Indoor shopping malls (with modifications)
Zoos (outdoors with modifications)
What’s closed:
Indoor dining at restaurants
Indoor houses of worship
Indoor gyms
Bars
Tattoo shops
Face masks are still required in public. Gatherings should be limited to only people in your household.
Testing:
The L.A. County website has a list of testing locations available for both walk-up and drive-up testing. Testing is available by appointment only.
A comprehensive map of testing locations can be found here.