Los Angeles County Ordered the Closure of Indoor Restaurant Dining and Other Indoor Activities, and Bars as Countywide COVID-19 Cases, Deaths & Hospitalizations Rise
JULY 1, 2020 - Revised Los Angeles County Health Officer Order Requires Closure of Indoor On-Site Dining and Other Indoor Activities - 35 New Deaths and 2,002 New Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Health Officer Order will be modified today to align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directives and require the closure of:
- Indoor, in-person dining at restaurants
- Indoor museums, indoor children’s museums, and indoor operations at zoos and aquariums
- Cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities
The July 1, 2020 press release from Los Angeles County, which includes COVID-19 statistics on cases, deaths and hospitalizations per community, is available online.
Also, the Health Officer Order requires businesses with three or more known cases of COVID-19 within the workplace over the span of 14 days, to report the outbreak to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health). Employers who have one known case within the workplace must have a protocol that requires that person to self-isolate at home and anyone exposed to self-quarantine.
Bars remain closed and all events and gatherings unless specifically allowed by this Order remain prohibited. Additionally, face coverings and gloves must be worn at fitness facilities at all times.
Los Angeles County continues to see steep increases in community spread of COVID-19. There are 1,889 people currently hospitalized, 27% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU and 18% are confirmed cases on ventilators. This is the largest number of people hospitalized since early May.
There are 2,002 new cases of COVID-19. This is the fourth consecutive day of new cases over 2,000. And today’s number is missing lab reports from one of the larger labs.
“We are thinking every day of the many families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Our hearts go out to you, and we are so sorry for your loss,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “I know these closures are frustrating and it is heartbreaking to think we are losing ground. These immediate actions give us a chance to regain control over the increased spread. With steep increases in cases and hospitalizations, it is important to act now to prevent as many future cases, hospitalizations and deaths as we can.”
In addition to the 2,002 new cases, Public Health has confirmed 35 new deaths of COVID-19. Twenty-one people who died were over the age of 65 years old, six people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and four people who died are between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Thirty-one people had underlying health conditions including 25 people over the age of 65 years old and six people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old. Two deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and two deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.
To date, Public Health has identified 105,507 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,402 deaths. Ninety-three percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 3,158 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 43% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 27% among White residents, 17% among Asian residents, 11% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 24 cases and two deaths reported earlier were not LA County residents. Testing results are available for nearly 1,120,000 individuals, with 9% of people testing positive.
Everyone should always wear a face covering securely over your nose and mouth and keep six feet apart from others not in your household when out in public. Businesses must continue to follow Public Health directives. Public Health reminds everyone that you remain safer at home.
JUNE 29, 2020 - Los Angeles County Orders Bars to Close Effective Today, June 29, in Response to Sharp Increase in COVID-19 Cases and Hospitalizations
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) reported 20 new deaths and 2,542 new cases of confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. The County announced that it will heed CA Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directive and order bars in Los Angeles County, including all of the City of Malibu, to close as of June 29, according to a press release on June 28. See the press release.
The County Health Officer Order will be amended today to require that all bars, breweries, brew pubs, pubs, wineries and tasting rooms in L.A. County close unless they are offering sit-down dine-in meals. This includes closing bar areas in restaurants.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is guided by science and data and the key metrics monitored are showing concerning trends.
There has been a sharp increase in new cases and hospitalizations. The timing of these increases is in line with the reopening of key sectors, including bars, which are places where people remove their face covering to drink while they may be socializing with people not in their households.
“While it’s disappointing to take a step back on our economic recovery journey, it’s critical that we protect the health of our residents and protect the capacity in our healthcare system,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “I implore that our residents and businesses follow the Public Health directives that will keep us healthy, safe and on the pathway to recovery. Otherwise, we are quickly moving toward overwhelming our healthcare system and seeing even more devastating illness and death.”
The State-mandated closing comes as the Department of Public Health is reporting significant increases in COVID-19 hospitalizations and the testing positivity rate.
There are 1,717 people currently hospitalized, higher than the 1,350 to 1,450 daily hospitalizations seen in recent weeks. Testing results are available for over 1,056,000 individuals, with 9% of people testing positive. The cumulative positivity rate has increased from 8% to 9%, and the 7-day average of the daily positivity rate has increased from 5.8% two weeks ago to 8.7% today.
Today, Public Health has confirmed 20 new deaths and 2,542 new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Fifteen people who died were over the age of 65 years old, four people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Thirteen people had underlying health conditions including 10 people over the age of 65 years old and three people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old.
To date, Public Health has identified 97,894 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 3,305 deaths. Ninety-four percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 3,076 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 43% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 27% among White residents, 17% among Asian residents, 11% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 19 cases reported earlier were not LA County residents.
“Many are experiencing the pain and sadness of losing a loved one to COVID-19. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you,” Ferrer said. “All of us must take immediate actions to stop spreading COVID-19 in our communities. L.A. County residents should stay home as much as possible, but when they are out and around others, it is very important to practice physical distancing and properly wear a cloth face covering at all times.”
Forty-one percent of cases are now among individuals between the ages of 18 and 40. While cases in this age range typically have low risk for serious illness or death, Public Health is concerned they may unknowingly infect parents, grandparents, and friends and family who have underlying health conditions and who are at greater risk for serious illness and death. Everyone must continue to follow physical distancing and infection control directives and wear a clean cloth face covering that securely covers both your nose and mouth when in contact with other people not in your household.
The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
For more information, including the current COVID-19 statistics on case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths countywide and per community, see the LADPH press release.