City Continues to Report No Fatalities Amidst New COVID-19 Cases

City officials reported 10 additional cases of the Coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the city’s total to 3,083 cases and 129 fatalities.

The new numbers were reported on the heels of a travel advisory issued on Friday urging residents to avoid non-essential travel. 

Officials at Huntington Hospital are treating 27 patients.

“If collectively we fail to stop the acceleration of new cases, we will have no choice but to look at additional actions,” said L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer. “All around the country, elected officials and public health leaders are introducing new requirements to protect health care systems from becoming overwhelmed.

“We’ve been there before, just four months ago, and we worked really hard to get ourselves back to a place where our health was protected and our recovery journey could continue, and I know none of us wants to step back,” Ferrer said. “Which leaves us with one option, and that is to make good choices that reflect the reality of living during a pandemic.”

The advisory also recommends that people traveling into

California — whether they are visitors or returning residents — from another state or country to self-quarantine for 14 days. Los Angeles County health officials have a similar recommendation on the books, urging residents to travel out of state to quarantine upon their return.

The travel warnings come two weeks in advance of Thanksgiving, which has health officials on edge, fearing that gatherings of families and friends from multiple households could become super-spreader events.

Ferrer told reporters Thursday that residents need to celebrate the holiday in a way that is respectful of the pandemic. She said residents should stay at home for the holiday, and if they do gather with other people, the events need to be restricted to three households and be held outdoors for a limited time, with face coverings and social distancing.

Ferrer warned Thursday that unless there is a reversal of the sudden surge in cases, the county may be forced to impose more restrictions on businesses and public activity. She didn’t elaborate on what those moves might entail, but they could potentially involve more capacity restrictions on indoor retail activity, limits on outdoor dining, possible closure of some types of businesses, and a slowing or halt in allowing select students to return to in-person instruction.