1 New COVID-19 Death, 4 New Cases Reported in Pasadena

Authorities reported one new COVID-19 fatality in Pasadena on Thursday, along with four new detected infections.

The latest person to succumb to the novel coronavirus in Pasadena was an 81-year-old woman living at the Regency Park Astoria senior care facility, city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. She died on Friday.

In total, Pasadena has recorded 2,640 infections and 127 deaths since the onset of the pandemic.

Only five new cases of COVID-19 were detected on Wednesday, according to city data. Tuesday saw 13 new infections, but none were reported on Monday.

Although encouraged by the relatively low numbers of new infections, compared with past months, officials said safety protocols such as social distancing and sanitation remained as important as ever to prevent a backslide.

“Our lower number of positive cases is reassuring, but it’s important to recognize that as businesses open up more in other counties, people may visit our city and there is the concern numbers can increase,” Derderian said. “We must remain vigilant and continue to wear our masks, practice social distancing, proper hygiene, and stay home if sick.”

Huntington Hospital officials reported treating 24 COVID-19 patients on Thursday.

Los Angeles County public health officials announced 1,280 new infections and 21 additional deaths on Thursday, bringing the countywide totals to 278,665 cases of COVID-19 and 6,726 deaths.

Just over 700 patients were hospitalized with the virus, the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a written statement. Twenty-eight percent of them were being treated in intensive care units.

As more of society reopens, L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer also urged the public to remain mindful of the continuing threat posed by the novel coronavirus.

“Many of us are enjoying the successes of our local basketball and baseball teams, and we have great reasons to celebrate. I want to remind everyone about the importance of celebrating safely,” she said.

“As we have seen, gatherings, even among people who know each other and are asymptomatic, can result in transmission of COVID-19 and ultimately cause people to become seriously ill,” Ferrer added. “As you celebrate our teams, please do so at home and with people that you live with, or find ways to celebrate virtually with friends and fellow fans.”

The California Department of Public Health reported 3,575 new COVID-19 infections and 99 additional fatalities on Thursday, raising the statewide totals to 834,800 cases of the virus and 16,361 deaths.

The average positivity rate over the prior seven days was 2.5 percent, the CDPH said in a written statement. The 14-day average was 2.6 percent.

As of Thursday, L.A. County accounted for 33 percent of California total COVID-19 infections and 41 percent of the state’s documented fatalities.