LA County Begins to Meet Metric Threshold for Less Restrictive Orange Tier

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or Public Health has confirmed 66 new deaths and 490 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,215,129 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 22,871 deaths.

There are 713 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 25% of these people are in the ICU.  The number of daily hospitalizations has returned to pre-surge levels.

The State March 23, released updated numbers; L.A. County’s adjusted case rate dropped from 4.1 new cases per 100,000 people to 3.7 new cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate dropped from 2.0% to 1.8%. If the County continues to maintain current levels or declines in the case rate and test positivity rate, it is possible in early April for the County to move into the orange tier. The County needs to remain in the red tier for three weeks prior to be assigned to the orange tier.

Testing results are available for more than 6,022,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive. Residents should get tested if they have symptoms or were exposed to someone who was positive and isolate immediately from your family and others if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19. If you recently traveled and during your travels were in crowds, exposed to unmasked individuals in close proximity, or attended gatherings, you should get tested. For more information on how to get tested, visit: covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or call 2-1-1.

Of the 66 new deaths reported today, 14 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 16 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79,  21 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64,  five people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29.  Eight deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and one death was reported by the City of Pasadena.

From March 15 to March 21, Public Health Inspectors visited a total of 1,224 businesses, including restaurants, markets, hair salons and barbershops, hotels, garment manufacturers and shopping malls. Inspectors noted some businesses had not completed and posted their protocols and needed to improve physical distancing and infection control safety measures. Inspectors noted 56% of hotels, 71% of hair salons and barbershops, and 80% of restaurants completed and posted their protocols, and 86% of restaurants and 87% of markets were in compliance with physical distancing. Only 52% of garment manufacturers were in compliance with physical distancing and infection control safety measures. Overall, the compliance inspections revealed that while the majority of businesses were in compliance, there is significant room for improvement. 

Public Health encourages L.A. County businesses to participate in the COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certification Program. 

For information about who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in L.A. County, how to make an appointment if it is your turn, what verifications you will need to show at your vaccination appointment, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com  (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com  (Spanish). Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

Details; www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.