by Steven Felschundneff steven@claremont-courier.com

Following a bad week for COVID-19 deaths in the county, today’s report from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed just 24 deaths and 334 new cases in the previous 24 hours.

Yesterday public health reported 81 deaths, the highest number since the coronavirus pandemic began, so the new numbers are a welcomed reprieve. Still, over the past 48 hours, there have been 978 new cases. Claremont’s confirmed cases remains constant at 15.

Of the people who died Saturday, sixteen were over the age of 65, four were between the ages of 41 and 65, and three people were between the ages of 18 and 40. Twenty-three people who died had underlying health conditions. One death was reported by the city of Long Beach, which has its own health department. 

L.A. Public Health has identified 12,341 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County, and a total of 600 deaths. Eighty-nine percent of people who died had underlying health conditions.

“Though there are promising signs that our collective efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 are working, we are sad to report today that more Angelenos have lost their lives to COVID-19, and their loved ones are in our hearts as they mourn,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health. “Despite the high number of total deaths and the continued increase in new cases, there is evidence that our physical distancing efforts are working. As we plan ahead for recovery, we ask that all remain steadfast in complying with the directives laid out in our Safer at Home Order.”

Among the confirmed cases 2,869 were over age 65; 5154 were between the ages of 41 and 65; 3,503 were between 18 and 40; and 127 were between 0 and 17. Twenty-four cases remain under investigation.

Further breakdowns include: male 5,841; female 5,969; Asian 915; African American 687; Hispanic 3,402; white 2,022; and other 884; while 3,767 remain under investigation.

Deaths included: Asian 91; African American 839; Hispanic 189; white 152; and other 13; while 31 remain under investigation.