[ad_1]
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 2,103 new coronavirus infections and 35 other related deaths on Saturday, marking a continuing downward trend in the impact of the disease.
The new numbers brought the county’s totals to 220,762 positive COVID-19 cases and 5,245 deaths. Saturday’s death toll was the lowest of any day this week.
For memory:
6:46 p.m., August. 15, 2020A previous version of this story indicated that Saturday’s death toll was the lowest of any day this month. It was the lowest this week. He also said that 92% of the new deaths were from people with underlying health conditions. This number is two thirds.
Hospitalizations have also declined, with 1,393 confirmed cases, less than on any day since mid-June, the health department reported. Of those hospitalized, 33% were in intensive care.
More than 2 million tests have been carried out, of which 10% were positive, a rate still higher than the level desired by the state of 8%.
The infection total remains skewed by a backlog of cases from the lab’s electronic reporting system, the report said, but hospitalizations and death numbers are unaffected.
Two-thirds of the new deaths were from people with underlying health conditions, the health department reported. Nine were over 80, nine between 65 and 75, 11 between 50 and 65 and five between 39 and 49.
Of those with known race or ethnicity, 50% of deaths were Latin Americans, 24% White, 15% Asians, 10% Black, less than 1% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Indians and 1% identifying with other races.
The report says 34 previously reported cases and four deaths are not residents of LA County.
“With the high temperatures this weekend, I encourage everyone to take steps to stay cool and hydrate throughout the day while practicing physical distancing and avoiding gatherings,” said Barbara Ferrer, LA County Director of Public Health, in a statement. “Please note that cooling centers are open and safe places to go to avoid extreme heat, as each site adheres to strict infection control and isolation measures.”
The Orange County Health Care Agency reported 513 new cases and 20 more deaths on Saturday, bringing the county’s total to 43,367 cases and 809 deaths.
There were 434 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals, including 138 in the ICU.
The rate of residents testing positive for COVID-19 in the county was 6.7%, falling below the state threshold, according to City News Service.
[ad_2]
Source link