While deaths of Pasadena residents associated with COVID-19 this week dropped to the lowest weekly count since fatalities from the disease were first announced in early April, new cases jumped more than 15 percent.
The city’s health department reported four Pasadenans died this week from illness related to the coronavirus, compared to 13 last week and 23 the week before that.
But there a record number of new confirmed cases of the virus, 139, the department said.
So far Pasadena has lost 69 residents to the disease and experienced 670 cases.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles County, COVID-19 deaths continued to mount with another four dozen fatalities reported, but the county’s public health director said measures such as social distancing and wearing face coverings have slowed the spread of the illness.
With more businesses opening and the weather improving, Barbara Ferrer warned Friday against residents gathering with friends and family, but recognized that such gatherings may occur.
“Seeing friends, we’re not recommending that at this point in time,” Ferrer said. “We are recommending that you continue to do your distancing in the ways that we’ve recommended before.
“… We do appreciate that there are circumstances where you may be around some other people, and in those circumstances, … we do recommend you’re at least keeping that six-foot distance and that you’re using a cloth face covering to try to protect other people, and they should do the same to protect you,” she said.
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
