County’s Coronavirus Death Toll Reaches 1,000

The LA County Department of Public Health confirmed 59 new deaths moving the county death toll to 1,000.

Meanwhile, 597 new cases of the Coronavirus were announced on Tuesday.

“LA County has hit the tragic milestone of 1,000 people dying from COVID-19. Please know that if you are grieving the loss of loved ones who have died from COVID-19, our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your friends. We wish you healing and peace,” said Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health. “With over 400 deaths from COVID-19 occurring among nursing home residents, the pandemic has amplified the cracks in our society, including the care and protection of people who are older and medically fragile.”

To date, the department has identified 20,976 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 1,000 deaths. Ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 918 people (98 percent of the cases); 37 percent of deaths occurred among Latinx residents, 29 percent among White residents, 18 percent among Asian residents, 14 percent among African American residents, 1 percent among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1 percent among residents identifying with other races.

African Americans, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and people living in communities with high levels of poverty continue to have the highest rate of death per 100,000 people for COVID-19 when compared to other groups.

As of today, 4,507 people who tested positive for COVID-19 (21 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 133,000 individuals and 14 percent of people testing positive.

In Tuesday’s fatalities, 36 people who died were over the age of 65 years old, 16 people who died were between the ages of 41 to 65 years old, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Forty-two people had underlying health conditions including 28 people over the age of 65 years old, 13 people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old, and one person between the ages of 18 and 40 years old.