LA County sets new daily record of coronavirus cases – NBC Los Angeles

Los Angeles County recorded daily new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, the second of three days, and announced more than 50 deaths. Meanwhile, the county’s chief health officer warned that workplaces are the leading cause of viral infections.

The county’s Department of Public Health announced 4,592 cases of the virus, surpassing the 4,244 daily record set on Tuesday.

Long Beach announced another 210 cases Thursday, and Pasadena reported 35. New cases raised the county-wide total from the whole pandemic to 147,713.

The county announced 59 new deaths on Thursday, five of which were reported by Long Beach health officials on Wednesday and another death on Thursday. The death toll was 3,989 throughout the county.

The number of people hospitalized due to the virus has dropped to only 2,173-still one of the highest levels of pandemics.

Due to the rapid increase in the number of cases, health officials are urging the public to maintain a health order by avoiding large gatherings, wearing face covers and keeping others in public places. ..

“Without positive action for everyone, we can’t go back to delaying expansion,” Barbara Ferrer, director of public health, said in a statement.

Both she and Dr. Muntu Davis, a county health official, said businesses also needed to do more to protect workers, and Davis said viral infections in the workplace are skyrocketing. Stated.

Over the past few months, Davis said inspectors have responded to 2,000-3,000 complaints a week about potential health protocol violations at work.

Dozens of workplace outbreaks are under investigation, the largest of which continues to occur at the Los Angeles apparel apparel manufacturing facility in southern Los Angeles, Davis said. Health officials reported last week that 300 employees of the plant were positive for coronavirus and four died.

Davis said Thursday that the number of confirmed cases at the facility had increased to 375 of the company’s 2,290 employees.

“Manufacturers are still closed until they complete an investigation of contacts that may have additional activity to comply with regulations and may need to be quarantined there,” he said. It was

The workplaces most susceptible to outbreaks are food processing companies and distribution facilities such as meat filling factories, manufacturers, garment factories and wholesale warehouses, he said.

“These workplaces have some things in common,” he said. “They are large employers with a large number of low-paid workers, and they have workers who are spending long shifts close together and in indoor spaces.”

These situations contribute to data showing that “blacks, Latinos, and people in high poverty areas bear the brunt of the virus.”

The county also said that “there is not the required compliance with the Directorate General of Public Health’s directives that are in place to keep people’s health and life safe,” and many employers still do not meet operating regulations. Said.

“Companies have a corporate, moral, and social responsibility to their employees to provide a safe work environment,” he said. “They must adhere to the instructions of all health officials. People’s health, life and livelihood are at stake.”

Davis points out that while the county receives and responds to thousands of workplace complaints a week, some workers may be reluctant to step forward in fear of retaliation from their employers. Did. He said the county at 800-7009995 has a hotline that workers can call to safely report possible violations.

According to Davis, employers, in general, will be willing to comply after inspectors’ visits, and counties are very rarely liable for high fines and criminal prosecution.

Davis’ comment took place the day after the county announced a 65% expansion in its service capacity. County medical director Dr. Christina Gurley said new locations have been established in Montebello, Southgate, Asza, Panorama City, Compton, and Downey Norwalk. She said existing sites are being expanded at Bellflower, Pomona, El Monte and East Los Angeles.

The average daily number of confirmed cases in the county has doubled over the past two months, rising from 1,452 in early June to 2,859 today, he said Wednesday.

Over 1.4 million people were screened for the virus during the pandemic, with an overall positive rate of 9%. The moving average over the past 7 days was slightly higher at 9.8%.

Health officials urged residents to stay home as much as possible, refusing to pinpoint the exact trigger point that could return to the original “Safer At Home” order that closed most businesses, leaving only essential errands. Did.

On Monday, Governor Gavin Newtham updated business limits in 30 California counties, including Los Angeles. His orders closed the indoor gym, hair salon, nail salon, place of worship, massage shops and tattoo parlors. Newsom also ordered the statewide closure of all bars and compulsory restaurants throughout California and discontinued indoor services.