September 03, 2020
By Betti Halsell
Contributing Writer
Los Angeles received a public update about the moves that will be made amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. The numbers are reflecting a true sense of stability and a change in the right direction. Los Angeles Public Health Department shared their concern as Labor Day approaches; they are cautioning everyone to continue operating in a behavior that the virus is still present. Public officials discouraged any future gatherings or congregations of any size until the city is clear from relapses of the virus taking over.
L.A. Board of Supervisor Hilda Solis stressed the importance of avoiding crowds during this time, she stated, “These actions not only keep you safe, it also keeps our worker safe.” Solis continued with acknowledging that alongside other holidays, Labor Day is going to look different. She expressed by staying inside and avoiding group events is a way we uplift and celebrate the reason for that holiday, by keeping the L.A. working industry safe.
Los Angeles is back on the plan of recovery; reopening may be in sight according to Solis.
Although not much is known about the variable of the common cold will affect COVID-19, there is speculation that there will be cases where both can be contracted. However, Solis cautioned that Los Angeles is on a tightrope, and any surge in the COVID-19 metrics can throw the county off the pathway towards recovery. Supervisor Solis stated to please do your part.
The “flu Season” is approaching, which is causing a greater threat during a time of a global pandemic. In retaliation to this possible outcome, Solis has put forward a motion to for a robust multilingual publicity campaign to encourage Angelenos to get more information on being vaccinated.
Recent statistics were provided by Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. The reports shown on Wednesday reflect 51 additional deaths, 22 of these individuals were over the age of 80, 17 of them had underlining health conditions. 15 people who died were between the ages of 65-79, 10 victims had preexisting health concerns. Eight individuals were between the ages of 50-64, and six of them had underlining health problems. Three people who passed were between the ages of 30-49, and one of them had previous medical issues. Two fatal victims were between the age of 18-29 with no medical record of having a health condition. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in L.A. County to 5,878.
There were 1,457 new COVID-19 reports. In summary, there is a total amount of 243,935 coronavirus cases in the Los Angeles region. 10,674 incidents were reported in the city of Long Beach and 2,387 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 5,535 fatal cases showed 10% were African American, 15% were Asian, slightly less than 1% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 51% were Latino, 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.
Los Angeles is powering up to move through this pandemic. With the latest metrics reflecting that the county is bending the curve and a decrease in the spread of the virus, public officials stress to celebrate Labor Day a different way.
They emphasized that Los Angeles collectively has to maintain a behavior that warrants the prevention of spread of the virus in order to step into recovery.