LA County coronavirus cases increase to 351, including two more deaths; South Bay has 30 confirmed cases 

 

Cases of the novel coronavirus rose to 30 in the South Bay, according to data released by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department on Saturday. All totalled, there were 59 new cases confirmed across LA County, bringing the total to 351. Two people died of COVID-19, doubling the county’s fatalities to four since the arrival of the virus. 

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have died from COVID-19 and are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. “While the State and County have taken aggressive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we still need everyone to make sure they are practicing social distancing so as not to spread the disease to others or be exposed to the disease by others. And though we may be physically further apart, we are all in this together.”
In the South Bay, Manhattan Beach and Lomita each have seven confirmed COVID-19 cases. Carson has three, and El Segundo, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Torrance, and Redondo Beach each have two cases. Gardena, Lawndaele, and San Pedro have a single case each. 

In her press conference Friday, Ferrer said county officials are particularly alert for “clusters” of outbreaks, particularly in institutional settings. Ferrer did not specifically address the three positive tests that occurred in Kensington Redondo Beach, the assisted living facility where as many as ten others have also shown symptoms. But she did say that the County was developing ways to do rapid testing in such instances. 

“Our worry now is that in an institutional setting you could have as many as 30 or 40 people that would all need to be tested, and tested rapidly,” Ferrer said. “Those are all people who may be symptomatic and those are all people who may be very vulnerable, not only for illnesses themselves but actually for exposing others.”

Ferrer said the Public Health Department has three pilot drive-through testing sites in development. 

“I know we are all interested in improving testing capacity,” Ferrer said. “But the biggest need for us around testing capacity is making sure we get to those people who are symptomatic and particularly those who are symptomatic and very ill, because they will need to be enrolled in critical trials in order to have access to all the possible treatments that are available.”

“The criteria right now for testing still involves having a provider issue a lab order for someone to get tested,” she said. “That means the decision on who gets tested rests with a clinical provider, a medical provider. So if you are a person who is showing symptoms, you do need to talk to your provider, and have your provider authorize a test for you for COVID-19 by issuing that order…But don’t go to a hospital to get tested. That doesn’t work. You need to call your provider, and have your provider review with you what your clinical symptoms are and determine what is the next appropriate action for you to take.” 

The County also issued a new Health Officer Order to better match the Stay at Home order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom later the same day. The enhanced order prohibits all gatherings and events, and clarifies that golf courses and personal grooming services (including hair and nail salons) are non-essential services that are closed.

The City of Manhattan Beach on Sunday afternoon sent out a public safety advisory alert expressing concern that social distancing orders are not being observed. 

“The City shares your concerns with the high level of activity near the beach, this despite the Safer at Home order from the County Department of Public Health,” the alert said. “We are evaluating further actions to discourage people from congregating. In the meantime, thanks to those of you who are doing your part to protect your health and the safety of those around you.”

Mayor Richard Montgomery amplified that message. 

“Incredibly disappointing that after all we have done and continue to do to keep our community safe and following the Governor’s Stay at Home order, there are people that have no respect for others and completely disregard the rules. This is not spring break. Please grow up and stay inside for all of us.”

Laboratory Confirmed Cases — 351 Total Cases

  • Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas) — 335*
  • Long Beach — 13
  • Pasadena — 3

CITY / COMMUNITY**

  • Alhambra 3
  • Altadena 3
  • Arcadia 2
  • Baldwin Hills 2
  • Beverly Hills 7
  • Beverlywood 5
  • Boyle Heights 5
  • Brentwood 18
  • Burbank 1
  • Calabasas 1
  • Carson 3
  • Castaic 1
  • Century City 4
  • Century Palms/Cove 1
  • Cerritos 1
  • Covina 1
  • Crestview 4
  • Culver City 4
  • Del Rey 2
  • Diamond Bar 2
  • Downtown 1
  • Eagle Rock 1
  • East Los Angeles 1
  • Echo Park 1
  • El Segundo 2
  • Encino 10
  • Gardena 1
  • Glendale 5
  • Granada Hills 4
  • Hancock Park 4
  • Hawthorne 2
  • Hollywood 12
  • Hollywood Hills 2
  • Inglewood 2
  • Koreatown 1
  • La Canada Flintridge 1
  • La Mirada 3
  • La Verne 1
  • Lake Balboa 1
  • Lakewood 1
  • Lancaster 3
  • Lawndale 1
  • Lomita 7
  • Lynwood 1
  • Manhattan Beach 7
  • Mar Vista 4
  • Melrose 12
  • Miracle Mile 1
  • Montebello 1
  • Monterey Park 3
  • North Hollywood 5
  • Northridge 1
  • Pacific Palisades 7
  • Palms 1
  • Park La Brea 4
  • Playa Vista 2
  • Redondo Beach 2
  • Reseda 3
  • San Dimas 1
  • San Fernando 1
  • San Pedro 1
  • Santa Clarita 4
  • Santa Monica 5
  • Santa Monica Mountains 3
  • Sherman Oaks 7
  • Silverlake 3
  • South El Monte 1
  • South Pasadena 2
  • South Whittier 1
  • Stevenson Ranch 1
  • Studio City 4
  • Sun Valley 1
  • Sunland 1
  • Sylmar 1
  • Tarzana 7
  • Torrance 2
  • Tujunga 1
  • University Park 1
  • Valley Glen 6
  • Van Nuys 2
  • Venice 6
  • Vermont Knolls 1
  • Vermont Vista 1
  • Vernon Central 1
  • Walnut 1
  • West Adams 2
  • West Covina 1
  • West Hills 4
  • West Hollywood 18
  • West Los Angeles 3
  • West Vernon 2
  • Westchester 3
  • Westlake 1
  • Westwood 5
  • Whittier 2
  • Winnetka 1
  • Woodland Hills 5
  • -Under Investigation 31

 

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