Redondo Beach orders wearing masks, County health director offers hope

The increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases appears to be leveling off in most South Bay cities. Easy Reader chart

The increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases began to level off over the past week in some South Bay cities. Easy Reader chart

[Editor’s note: The number of cases reported in the initial post of this story for the three beach cities were incorrect. They have been corrected.]

Workers and customers at retail stores in Redondo Beach must wear masks that cover their mouths and noses, under an order issued Friday by Redondo Beach City Manager and Emergency Services Director Joe Hoefgen. Delivery people and their customers are also required to wear masks. The masks do not need to be medical grade and may be cloth, such as bandannas and scarves. 

Hoefgen’s order was issued Thursday afternoon, following a report that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Redondo Beach increased overnight by 5, from 73 reported on Wednesday to 78 reported Thursday.

No new cases were reported in Manhattan Beach, which has 52 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Tthe number of cases in Hermosa Beach declined by one, to 17.

The numbers were released Thursday afternoon by Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer during her daily press conference.  

Ferrer began the press conference by reporting there had been 25 COVID-19-related deaths over the preceding 24 hours, bringing the Los Angeles County total over the past four weeks to 223.

The county does not identify the communities where  COVID-19 victims lived.

Ferrer noted that the recent deaths bumped the COVID-19 mortality rate up to 2.8 percent. To date 7,955 Los Angeles County residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The mortality rate in institutional settings, such as senior residences and jails, where 54 people have died, is 23 percent, she said. 

The number of institutions reporting one or more cases increased by 54 overnight, bringing the total to 716.

Ferrer said 77 percent of County residents who have contracted COVID-19 are between 18 and 65, underscoring the fact that “all ages are equally likely to get sick and transmit the disease.”

The Health Director encouraged residents to continue sheltering at home, but ended her press conference on a hopeful note.

“The data from the federal government, and here [in los Angeles County] is encouraging. All the sacrifices are slowing the spread. Have patience. The new reality is not forever.  Keep caring for each other. Together we will get to the other side,” Ferrer said. ER

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