LA County coronavirus cases decline, but fear of increase persists

Los Angeles County continues to report a decrease in the number of new daily coronavirus cases, but officials remain concerned that Super Bowl gatherings could turn the tide.

As of Saturday, 4,860 new confirmed cases and 193 related deaths were reported, bringing the total countywide death toll to 17,955, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The daily death toll has continued to decline steadily since mid-January, when the county recorded an average of 241 deaths per day.

Still, those numbers remain much higher than pre-flare levels, and officials say the community should take all measures not to expose friends, family and colleagues to the disease.

“We extend our deepest condolences to anyone who experiences the grief of losing a loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, county public health director. “Despite some declines, we continue to experience widespread community transmission in our county.”

Ferrer warned that the riskiest thing people can do on Sunday is host or attend Super Bowl Sunday parties, potentially turning the game into a big-ticket event. She urged residents to connect virtually or watch the game at home with those in their immediate homes.

The county has put in place a series of restrictions: Private gatherings are limited to 15 people, from no more than three households, and must take place outdoors, with participants wearing masks and maintaining physical distance. Restaurants that were allowed to reopen their outdoor spaces last week will not be allowed to make televisions available to patrons to watch the game.

Los Angeles has seen significant relief from the virus in recent weeks. The seven-day average of new cases fell from about 15,100 to about 5,600 cases per day.

Yet hospital intensive care units remain strained and the death toll remains high. Statewide, more than 43,000 people have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Authorities have also confirmed additional cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome, or MIS-C, a rare and life-threatening viral disease that infects children exposed to the coronavirus. Symptoms include a fever that does not go away and inflamed parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

Health officials confirmed nine more cases of MIS-C on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases in LA County to 75 children, including one death. Latino children represent 76% of all reported cases of MIS-C.

The supply of COVID-19 vaccine remains limited. For more information on vaccines in LA County and to find out when your turn is on, visit the public health department’s website.