LA County is seeing an increase in COVID-19 community transmission, health officials warn
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County health officials stated Monday that the county is seeing an increase in COVID-19 community spread, as they reported 2,571 new cases and 18 additional deaths, bringing the totals to 85,942 cases and 3,137 deaths.
County Public Health Director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, said that there have been numerous days over the past week where the number of daily coronavirus cases reported has been higher than 2,000.
“The numbers do tell us that we’re seeing an increase in community transmission," said Ferrer.
"What we haven't really been able to do because we have such a high volume of cases coming in is really pinpoint whether or not the exact source of exposure was a protest, but I do want to say it's highly likely given the increasing numbers that we're seeing that some of this is, in fact, people who may have been in a crowded situation at one of the protests where there was spread," said Ferrer.
Many communities have started to see an increase in case numbers as additional businesses begin to reopen. California Governor Gavin Newsom said Monday that the state reported 46,735 new COVID-19 cases over the past 14 days, which he said is 35.6% of all the state's cases since the start of the pandemic.
"We are not out of the first wave," said Newsom.
The state Department of Public Health on Thursday issued new guidelines mandating face coverings in most situations while indoors, but also outside when a person cannot maintain six feet of social distance.
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There are exemptions that include children age 2 and younger because of the risk of suffocation, and for people with a variety of medical or psychological issues that make mask-wearing a hazard.
The use of face coverings is believed to help slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus, without knowing it, from transmitting it to others.
The face coverings can be made at home from common materials at low cost, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has instructions on how to make them listed on its website.
In LA County, approximately 94% of all residents who died from the virus had underlying health conditions. Ferrer said this emphasizes the county's need to protect those with underlying health conditions and urges those residents to stay at home as much as possible.
She said this includes, but is not limited to, individuals with asthma, those who have had cancer, anyone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and anyone who is immune-compromised.
"If you're part of one of these groups, you need to take every precaution imaginable to protect yourself from COVID-19," said Ferrer.
Recently, the CDC expanded the list of symptoms of the virus. The list now includes, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, a new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting as well as diarrhea.
Anyone who experiences these symptoms should call their healthcare provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
While LA County officials have not released data on the number of COVID-19 patients that have recovered from the virus within the county, John's Hopkins University reports that approximately 622,000 patients have recovered nationwide.
"We always have some labs that are slightly delayed, but that would only account for a few hundred of these cases so what we really saw today and what we've been seeing all along is a real increase in a community transmission," said Ferrer.
Earlier Monday, Ferrer, who has led the county's fight against the coronavirus, said her life has been threatened repeatedly but promised that she will continue to "follow the science."
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"The science says if we don’t change the way we go about our daily routines, we could pay for it with our lives or the lives of others around us," she said.
"Our job and our calling is to keep as many people as safe as possible during this pandemic," added Ferrer. "This virus is not done with us."
A revised health order took effect last week that allows a wider array of businesses and attractions to reopen in LA County.
County health officials noted that public-safety restrictions will be in place at all reopening businesses, including mandates for wearing face coverings and requiring social distancing.
Ferrer stressed that the reopening of more business sectors should not be seen as an indication the county is out of the woods in terms of the coronavirus pandemic, noting, "We're still in the middle of the woods and we have a lot of risks."
She said it will remain important for residents to adhere to the health restrictions when visiting any reopened business, and for the businesses themselves to enforce them.
Public Health continues to remind the public that while a majority of those who have died from COVID-19 in the county had underlying health conditions, not everyone does. Residents are urged to continue to take the necessary precautions in order to protect themselves from the virus.
Health officials say that social distancing remains our best defense against the virus, and all residents are instructed to abide by current measures in place across the state. Social distancing is not only about preventing the illness itself, but rather, slowing the rate at which people get sick.
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The county's health department says that because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk of widespread transmission, everyone should always wear a face-covering securely over their nose and mouth and keep six feet apart from others not in their household when out and about.
Health officials say coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms. In early April, the CDC changed how it was defining risk of infection for Americans, saying anyone may be a considered a carrier, whether they have symptoms or not.
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Public Health says that the best protection against COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, self-isolate if you are sick, practice physical distancing and wear a clean face covering when in contact with others from outside your household.
Click here for a list of locations of confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County.
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CNS, Koco McAboy contributed to this report.