by Kathryn Dunn | editor@claremont-courier.com

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department released new cases of coronavirus Monday, which officials say stand at 2,474 cases across all areas of LA County, including 44 deaths. There is still just one case of coronavirus found in Claremont.

As of today, 492 people who tested positive for COVID-19, or 20 percent, have been hospitalized at some point during their illness, the county said. There have been 675 new cases found in the last 48 hours, the county said.

The county is still prohibiting both private and public events, and have closed all beaches and hiking trails.. Some essential businesses remain open like grocery stores and banks, however, LA County residents are asked to stay home except to obtain essential goods or services. For now, the county stay home order is in effect through April 19 but may be extended if health officials determine a need exists.

The public health department orders that if you are “mildly sick, stay home for at least seven days and until 72 hours after being fever and symptom free.” If you are concerned or symptoms worsen, you should call your doctor. Anyone with secondary health issues, senior citizens or those who are pregnant should call their doctor if they feel any symptoms of illness.

People testing positive in Los Angeles County include 37 people under the age of 17; 918 people between the ages of 18 to 40; 943 from 41 to 65 years old; and 467 people over the age of 65.

“The greatest service the general public can provide is to stay home, to self-isolate when sick and to self-quarantine if exposed,” said Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health director. “These measures will make the biggest impact in our efforts to mitigate the infection rate in the county.”