County Officials Report 24 New Coronavirus Deaths as Toll Climbs to 600

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 24 new deaths and 334 new cases of the Coronavirus on Sunday.

According to officials there, over the last 48 hours, there have been 978 new cases. In total, the county is now reporting that 600 people have died from the virus.

“Though there are promising signs that our collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working, we are sad to report today that more Angelenos have lost their lives to COVID-19, and their loved ones are in our hearts as they mourn,” said Barbara Ferrer, LA County director of public health. “Despite the high number of total deaths and the continued increase in new cases, there is evidence that our physical distancing efforts are working.”

To date, county public health officials have identified 12,341 positive cases.

Eighty-nine percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 528 people (94 percent of the cases); 36 percent of deaths occurred among Latinx residents, 29 percent among white residents, 17 percent among Asian residents, 16 percent among African American residents, and 2 percent among residents identifying with other races.

Upon further investigation, 14 cases reported earlier were not LA County residents. As of today, 3,387 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (29 percent of positive cases) have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. Testing capacity continues to increase in LA County, with testing results available for over 79,000 individuals and 15 percent of people testing positive.

Sixteen people who died were over the age of 65; 4 people who died were between the ages of 41 to 65 years old; three people who died were between the ages of 18 to 40 years old.

Twenty-three people who died had underlying health conditions; 13 people over the age of 65; three people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old; and three people between the ages of 18 to 40 years old. One death was reported by the city of Long Beach.

Public Health reminds everyone that if you are ill, even with mild symptoms, please self- isolate at home for 7 days and until you are fever and symptom-free for 72 hours. If you have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is presumed to be infected with COVID-19, you must quarantine for 14 days from your last contact with that individual. Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or are pregnant may be at higher risk of serious illness and should contact their doctor as soon as they are sick.