The daily death toll from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County hit a new high Thursday as 55 deaths were reported bringing the total number of fatalities in the county to 455. 

The Thursday toll was the first time the count was over 50 and marked an increase of 15 deaths from Wednesday’s total, which was corrected downward from 42 to 40, as two deaths were out of the county’s jurisdiction.

Of the 455 deaths, 302 have come in the last seven days.

“The increase this week on the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 is distressing and a stark reminder of the devastation caused by COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, the director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health at the daily press briefing.

Also alarming in the death toll is the number of victims who resided in institutional settings, mainly nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ferrer said that 35% – or 158 people – who resided in those environments have died.

She again repeated that the county is closely monitoring these facilities and has increased the number of case officers working with staff at these locations. But in looking at the overall mortality rate, 88% had underlying health conditions and institutional settings often have residents with underlying conditions thus the high mortality rate.

Ferrer also reported that there were 399 new confirmed cases of the virus bringing the county total to 10,854. Testing continues to ramp up in the county with the opening of three new facilities, including one in South El Monte, on Wednesday. Some 70,000 residents have been tested and 11% of those tests have come back positive.

In answer to a reporter’s question, Ferrer noted that the daily death toll may rise while the number of cases may flatten and said that could be caused by the harsh nature of the disease that leaves many seriously ill for long periods of time. 

She also noted that while Public Health is working steadily to plan for the county’s eventual recovery, “Many routines will still be different, and practicing physical distancing, wearing face coverings and keeping our hands clean will be very important until we have a vaccine.”

“We’re never going to be able to go back to the way it was before COVID-19,” she said near the conclusion of her remarks at the daily press briefing.

Here are some of the case numbers presented by the L.A. County Health Department press release:

• In the last 24 hours: 55 deaths; 399 cases
• Total deaths: 455 (including Pasadena’s 14 deaths)
• Total cases: 10,854

The breakdown by community, plus Health Department confirmed institutional settings with one or more cases:

• Alhambra: 38
  • Alhambra Healthcare & Wellness Centre, LP
• Arcadia: 26
  • Santa Anita Convalescent Hospital
• Boyle Heights: 66
• El Monte: 38
  • Mayflower Care Center
• El Sereno: 46
  • Huntington Healthcare Center
• Unincorporated East L.A.: 116
  • Buena Ventura Care Center
• Highland Park: 41
  • Highland Park Skilled Nursing and Wellness Center
• Lincoln Heights: 22
  • Kei-Ai Los Angeles Healthcare Center
• Montebello: 66
• Monterey Park: 35
  • DaVita Garfield Hemodialysis Center
• Pasadena: 184 (separate health department)
  • Brighton Care Center
  • California Convalescent Hospital (Listed 4/14; removed 4/15)
  • Camellia Gardens
  • Fair Oaks Regency Park
  • Foothill Heights Care Center
  • Garfield Care Center (no active cases on 4/15)
  • Golden Cross Healthcare (no active cases on 4/15)
  • Huntington Post Acute (Pasadena Meadows)
  • Jasmine Terrace
  • Legacy Care Center (Listed 4/14; removed 4/15)
  • Pasadena Grove Health Center (Listed 4/14; removed 4/15)
  • Rose Garden
  • St. Vincent’s (no active cases on 4/15)
• Rosemead: 16
• San Gabriel: 15
• Unincorporated Northeast San Gabriel: 7
• Unincorporated South San Gabriel: 7
• San Marino: 8
• South Pasadena: 20
  • South Pasadena Care Center
• Temple City: 20
• Numbers are suppressed in communities with less than 25,000 residents, but with 1-4 confirmed cases:
  • Unincorporated Arcadia
  • South El Monte
  • Unincorporated South El Monte
  • University Hills

---

Want to help?

• California is looking for donations of medical resources to respond to COVID-19. Go to the site to see what kind of equipment is needed.
• L.A. County is looking to lease hotel and motels for COVID-19 testing, quarantine, isolation and medical shelters. Contact the Office of Emergency Operations Center. See today’s situation.
• Looking for other ways? National and Community Service, the home of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, have ideas.

Need help?

• Call 2-1-1 for:
  • Homeless services and medical shelters
  • Drive-through COVID-19 testing appointments
  • Any other referrals to county services
• Meals:
  • Critical Delivery Service or 888-863-7411
  • Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services page or 800-510-2020
• Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check):
  • Non-filer payment information
• Department of Mental Health or 24-hour help line 800-854-7771
• Domestic Violence Council or 800-978-3000
• Employment:
  • OnwardCA is working to place people into open positions.
• Info from the county on a face covering, video directions on how to make one.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health page.

For all of the reporting from the Alhambra Source, go to our Stay Healthy page.

---