Los Angeles County Coronavirus: 11,391 Cases, 495 Deaths

LOS ANGELES, CA — On Friday, Los Angeles County officials reported 40 more deaths due to the coronavirus, meaning a total of 495 have died of the virus since the outbreak began.

Public health is also reporting 11,391 confirmed cases of the coronavirus county-wide, up about 500 cases from Thursday, and almost a thousand cases more than just 48 hours before.

Of the patients who died Friday, 28 were over 65, and 8 deaths were patients between 41 and 65 years old. Doctors say age is a major risk factor for the virus. Another risk factor is having underlying respiratory health issues— 26 of the 40 new deaths involved patients who had related underlying health issues.

The county is reporting the total death tolls for the following areas:

• Los Angeles County: 461 deaths
• Long Beach: 18 deaths
• Pasadena: 16 deaths

Of the current cases of the coronavirus, 3,180 people have been hospitalized and 1,174 are in the ICU for emergency care.

Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the state about the current status of the outbreak. Newsom says that while California is successfully slowing the growth of the virus it is still much too early to consider lifting the stay-at-home order and reopening businesses, especially since the state just saw its worst 24-hour death toll. Los Angeles County saw a record one-day death toll on Thursday.

Newsom says one of the state's next steps will be to address nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where residents are most vulnerable. More than 3,500 of the confirmed coronavirus cases across the state have been linked to assisted living homes.

It is not all bleak news: locally, Friday's death toll marks a decrease in the number of deaths compared to earlier in the week, and Los Angeles County health officials say overall county residents have done a good job sheltering in their homes and practicing safe social distancing to slow the spread. County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer issued this statement of hope Friday afternoon:

“Each day, we are inspired by all of you who are continuing to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is an unprecedented time, and so many have shown courage, goodwill and compassion as our lives have all changed dramatically and we’ve all been affected in different ways. These times are tough, but they are temporary. Remaining committed to the strategies that are helping us gradually get ahead of COVID-19, we will, one day at a time, get through this together.”

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Less than half of Los Angeles County remains employed

An employment study from USC has found that just 45 percent of Angelenos still have their jobs, down from 61 percent four weeks ago. The survey suggests that 25.5 million jobs may have been lost across the county just since mid-March, including 1.3 million lost jobs in Los Angeles County.

The lack of jobs has led to increased financial anxiety: Los Angeles County residents surveyed estimated they had about a 1-in-3 chance of running out of money in the next three months, and 48 percent of residents reported mild to severe cases of psychological distress.

Inmates sew masks to slow spread of coronavirus in correctional facilities

15 inmates and 38 employees with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department have tested positive for the coronavirus. To try and slow the spread of the disease within the jail system, inmates and deputies have converted two sewing shops into mask production facilities.

Since they began production late last month, the inmates have handmade over 1,500 masks. They don't plan to stop until all of the 12,378 inmates in the department's custody have masks, at which point they say they'll probably keep making more for department staff.

160,000 face shields donated to local hospitals

The Port of Los Angeles confirms that Apple is donating over 160,000 face shields to local health care workers in need of personal protective equipment.

Apple is giving the shields to Logistics Victory Los Angeles, a new emergency program set up by the city to gather donations of personal protective equipment, or PPE, and give it to local hospitals who need it most.

The Port says the donations come at a critical time: like many cities suffering PPE shortages, health care workers across Los Angeles are reporting serious supply shortages, saying they are low on masks, gowns, ventilators and more.

You can find out more about Logistics Victory Los Angeles and how to donate here.

Venice enforces social distancing with sand

The Venice Beach Skate Park has been closed to enforce social distancing for some time. But since residents could seem to get the picture, they've stepped up their enforcement by covering the park with sand and sand bags.

Several neighbors spoke with Patch and said they had been annoyed by the amount of people still gathering at the park and not practicing safe social distancing.

Coronavirus cancellations continue

Two more major events went up on the chopping block Friday.

First, pop superstar Taylor Swift cancelled all her upcoming shows through 2020. Current ticket-holders will be able to keep their tickets when the shows are rescheduled, otherwise they can request refunds through Ticketmaster.

Then Disneyland cancelled their annual senior Grad Nite field trips. Parents and students who had been planning to attend this year are advised to coordinate with their group organizers to talk about the change in plans.

Orange County brings back civil weddings

On Friday Josemar and Tatiyana Brown of Inglewood became one of the first local couples to get married in weeks. After closing marriage license and wedding services in mid-March, the Orange County Clerk Recorder's office has reopened services to the public.

The office is still requiring weddings to follow current safety guidelines, but while the Browns had to celebrate their big day wearing N95 face masks and keeping a six foot social distance from everyone else, they say it is the marriage, not the wedding that really matters.

You can find out more on their wedding, or how to register for a civil ceremony in the full story here.