10 COVID-19 Cases Reported in Pasadena as Infections From Labor Day Weekend Begin to Appear

Pasadena reported 10 new COVID-19 infections on Friday, leading health officials to suspect cases stemming from the recent Labor Day holiday weekend are beginning to emerge.

The city reported no new novel coronavirus cases on Monday, followed by three on Tuesday, six on Wednesday and 4 on Friday, according to city data.

Friday’s increase was believed to be “a result of the Labor Day weekend,” city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. Officials had cautioned that if a viral spike is to come due to Labor Day gathering, they’d be expected to appear 10 to 14 days later.

The new cases detected Friday involved people between the ages of 21 and 60, Derderian said. Six of the cases were acquired via “household contact.”

Huntington Hospital treated 27 COVID-19 patients on Friday, according to hospital data. Seven tests were pending.

County-wide, public health officials announced 22 new fatalities and 1,281 new infections on Friday. The county’s totals stool at 258,516 cases of COVID-19 and 6,330 deaths.

Authorities reminded the public that the virus can have potentially fatal consequences, regardless of age or prior health history.

While 92% of those who have succumbed to the virus suffered from underlying health conditions, that leaves “a significant number of deaths” at 480 among patients who had no known underlying health problems, the Los County Department of Public Health said in a written statement. The ratio has remained stable throughout the pandemic.

County health officials reported 739 COVID-19 hospitalized on Friday, with 31% of them being treated in intensive care units.

“This number has continued to trend lower since mid-August,” according to the county statement.

L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer urged the public to continue with that social distancing measures that appear to be working.

“I appreciate the diligent efforts everyone is making to slow the spread of COVID-19 and am grateful that daily hospitalizations and deaths have continued to decline,” she said. “This decline didn’t happen by chance — this happened because individuals and businesses are doing their part to take those actions that reduce transmission. As we move into another weekend, we can’t let our guard down.”

The California Department of Public Health announced 3,630 new infections and 91 additional fatalities on Friday, raising the state’s totals to 769,831 COVID-19 cases and 14,812 deaths.

Over the previous seven days, the statewide average positivity rate declined to 3.3%, with the 14-day average at 3.4%, according to CDPH officials.

As of Friday, Los Angeles County accounted for 34% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 4 43% of the state’s fatalities.