City Hall Flags Fly at Half Staff for 500,000 Who Lost Their Lives to COVID-19

Flags at Pasadena City Hall will fly at half-staff through sunset Friday, Feb. 26, in remembrance of the 500,000 Americans lost to the coronavirus.

“That is more Americans who have died in a single year of this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined,” read a proclamation from the White House.

“On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind. We, as a nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and find purpose as one nation to defeat this pandemic.”

In Pasadena, there have been 10,783 cases of the virus and 307 fatalities.

Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Fere paused for a moment of silence on Monday as she delivered a daily update on case numbers, noting the county has reported 19,906 deaths from the virus, even as infection rates improve.

“I do want to start today’s update recognizing the heartbreaking loss of life from this deadly virus,” said Ferrer. “Half a million people have passed away across our nation, and here in L.A. County, we’re approaching the terrible milestone of 20,000 deaths. Let us remember and honor all those who have passed with a moment of silence.”

As of Monday, a total of 1,181,469 cases were confirmed in Los Angeles County since the start of the pandemic about a year ago.

Case numbers, infection rates and hospitalizations continue to tumble from the highs seen during the winter surge. Ferrer noted the current seven-day average of daily new cases has dropped to about 1,600 since an early January peak of more than 15,000 per day.

The county’s COVID transmission rate — or the average number of people a COVID patient infects with the virus — dropped to 0.76, down from 0.81 a week ago. The county currently estimates that one in every 730 residents, excluding those who are in quarantine or isolation, are infected with the virus and capable of spreading it. That’s an improvement from last week’s estimate of one in every 460.