City Officials Reported One COVID-19 Death on Tuesday

Pasadena health officials reported one Coronavirus death on Tuesday and 30 new cases increasing the death to 61.

Local cases approached 500 as they increased to 482.

The one fatality was not related to any of the city’s long term health care facilities.

The city has been battling the spread of the virus inside the facilities since the outbreak began.

On Monday two City Councilmen called for a review of the health department’s response inside the facilities.

Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton and Councilmen Victor Gordo called for the review.

“I am not convinced that the response of our health department was what it should have been,” Gordo said. “We need to have a plan in the event we have a second wave of this or any other health emergency. This should not be viewed as anything but a review for the purpose of learning what actions would have better protected the residents of Pasadena.

After any disaster, the city does an after action report. According to city official the report will eventually be released to the public.

The numbers came as city officials made plans to work with counterparts in the city of Los Angeles and Long Beach to consider how to move forward with opening low risk businesses.

The businesses could include book stores, clothing stores, sporting good shops, music stores and florists.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his intentions to allow these and other low risk businesses to reopen on Friday.

Newsom is schedule to announce guidelines on Thursday. City officials could make some sort of announcement after the guidelines are revealed.

County officials said on Tuesday they continue planning for recovery and relaxing select directives of the Safer at Home Order.

As relaxing occurs, businesses and residents will need to continue to observe and practice physical distancing requirements and infection control precautions.

Physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, frequent hand washing, self-isolation and self-quarantine will continue to be very important throughout the foreseeable future.

People who have underlying health conditions will still be at much greater risk for serious illness from COVID-19, so it will continue to be very important for vulnerable residents to stay at home as much as possible, to have groceries and medicine delivered, and to know to call their providers immediately if they have even mild symptoms.