9 More Die As Coronavirus Cases Explode Overnight Across LA

LOS ANGELES, CA — Nine more people have died from the coronavirus in Los Angeles County, and 421 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours. The pace of new cases essentially quadrupled overnight in keeping with county health officials' warning of a coming tsunami of coronavirus cases across the Southland.

Los Angeles County now has a total of 1,216 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to public health director Barbara Ferrer.

"I want to be clear, the worst days are still ahead," said Mayor Eric Garcetti, predicting that Los Angeles would soon see the dire spike in numbers overwhelming hospitals in New York City.

"It's a tough thing for me to say, but we look at these projections and ... it's coming here," he said. "We've taken actions earlier and swifter, but nobody is immune from this virus."

In announcing the 421 new cases, Ferrer said the spike is a result of additional testing and "catching up on backlogs" of delayed test results, but she said the virus is making an aggressive march across the county, highlighting the need to adhere to social distancing, isolation and quarantine requirements.

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"If there are 1,000 people that are positive and each one of those people infects two other people, if we don't curtail that spread, within a few weeks, there could be over a million people that would be infected in L.A. County," Ferrer said. "And if 20% of those people who are infected need some kind of hospital care, you can see why we're urging everyone to help us slow the spread. That could be over 200,000 people that at some point would need to be hospitalized.

"We cannot do this alone. We absolutely need everyone to help us. If we get the numbers down and each person does not infect two other people, that's our chance and that's our hope," she said.
The county's total of 21 deaths does not include a 17-year-old Lancaster boy who was reported earlier this week to have died from the coronavirus. County health officials said the boy's death is under further review by the U.S. Centers Disease Control and Prevention. Another death that was reported earlier has also been removed from the county's total, because authorities determined the person actually lives in a different county.

Residents of the county -- and the entire state -- are under strict stay-at-home orders asking that people remain in their residence as much as possible, while avoiding any large gatherings.

Ferrer said Tuesday that the county's health officer will issue an order "that requires the self-isolation of any person that has tested positive for COVID-19 or is presumed by their physician or clinician to be positive for COVID-19."

The order also requires a 14-day quarantine for all close contacts of a confirmed or presumed COVID-19 patient, including household members and caregivers.

"So if you've been tested for COVID-19 and you're waiting for your test results or you've been told by a provider that you should presume that you're positive for COVID-19, we ask that you follow the directives to self- isolate. This means staying at home for at least seven days and until you're fever- and symptom-free for 72 hours. Do not leave your home. Please do not leave your home unless its for a medical appointment," Ferrer said.

"We ask that you notify all of your close contacts that you have COVID-19 or are likely to have COVID-19 so your close contacts can in fact begin their quarantine," she said.

According to Ferrer, the order requires any such close contacts to immediately begin a 14-day quarantine period.

Additionally, Garcetti says he has authorized city department heads to take "any action necessary within their budgets" to obtain materials, construction equipment, services and anything else that can help keep people safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

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"This might sound small, but this is a big deal," Garcetti said Wednesday. "We haven't just reduced red tape. We've completely eliminated it. That means that (Recreation) and Parks staff at emergency shelters can get hand sanitizers more quickly. It means that workers at (Los Angeles International Airport) can get vital personal protective equipment as they interface with travelers coming in from around the world."

Garcetti said the city has no plans to lay off any of its staff, saying such a move would only exacerbate the crisis. The state of California announced Wednesday that more than 1 million people have filed for unemployment since the Safer at Home orders were issued.

More than 1,000 city employees have been working during the pandemic as part of the Los Angeles Disaster Service Worker Program, Garcetti said.

Garcetti said that based on data he's received, Los Angeles is about six days from seeing the same or similar coronavirus numbers that have been reported in New York City, which has been dubbed by health professionals the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.

"I want to be clear, the worst days are still ahead," the mayor said. "It's a tough thing for me to say, but we look at these projections and ... it's coming here. We've taken actions earlier and swifter, but nobody is immune from this virus."

A $2 trillion federal stimulus package will provide Los Angeles with about $400 million to assist LAX operations, $700 million for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, "tens of millions" in local assistance for areas with low-income residents and $32 million in emergency homeless assistance.

Garcetti acknowledged the details of the package are still being worked out and it doesn't address assistance for immigrants, but he said he is willing to spend whatever it takes in city funding to help with outbreak prevention efforts in anticipation that the city will be reimbursed.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.