LA County Reports 5,087 New COVID-19 Cases on Thanksgiving

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – With new restaurant restrictions in effect, Los Angeles County on Thanksgiving Day reported one of its highest coronavirus case totals in a single day.

The county reported 5,087 new COVID-19 cases and 37 deaths on Thursday.

The startling numbers came after a much controversial in-person meal ban, with county health officials painting a dire picture of the current outbreak, saying the transmission rate had reached its highest level since March and could overwhelm hospitals in a month.

Officials urged residents to avoid Thanksgiving gatherings and not celebrate with people living outside their homes in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

RELATED: How Are Restaurants Contributing To The Spread Of COVID-19 In LA County?

Thanksgiving amid a pandemic and changing county health guidelines is different for everyone.

In much of LA County, outdoor dining is banned for at least three weeks. People lined up with masks to wait for takeout orders at restaurants on Thursday.

In Pasadena, where al fresco dining is still permitted, restaurants were very busy in the morning and afternoon.

RELATED: Pasadena Will Continue To Eat Al fresco despite LA County restrictions

Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris has said, like Pasadena, that he wants to create the city’s own health department, in part to keep restaurants open.

“We have a meeting next week with the restaurateurs. I’m not talking about chains, I’m talking about family businesses,” Parris said.

LA County public health officials have pointed out that alfresco dining poses a unique risk as people do not wear face masks and potentially eat with people from other households.

They warn hospitals are approaching bed capacity and estimate that one in 145 LA County residents is currently infected with COVID-19 and may not know it. The estimate does not include people who are already self-isolating or who are currently hospitalized.

City News Service contributed to this report.