COVID-19 Infections Continue Trending Down in L.A. County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 174 new infections and five new deaths on Monday. Figures from the Pasadena Public Health Department were not available.

In total, L.A. County has recorded 1,243,882 cases of COVID-19 and 24,339 deaths, although officials caution that reporting figures over weekends tend to lag behind.

Officials listed 261 COVID-19 patients at hospitals throughout the county on Monday, representing a continued drop in the number of people requiring medical care for the virus.

The county Department of Public Health reported Friday that hospitalizations have dropped below 300 for the first time since March of 2020.

County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted how much the situation has improved in recent months.

“We are all glad this Memorial Day will look so different from last Memorial Day. It’s such a relief for so many of us to be able to gather with family and friends again,” Ferrer said.

“If you’re celebrating with someone elderly and they haven’t been vaccinated, celebrate safely outdoors with masks and distancing or virtually,” Ferrer added. “I encourage everyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet to make time to get vaccinated. The vaccine provides the best protection and is keeping transmission in L.A. County low.”

The California Department of Public Health announced 644 infections and 5 deaths on Monday, bringing the statewide totals to 3,685,032 COVID-19 cases and 62,011 fatalities.

The statewide positivity rate over the prior week was measured at 0.7%, according to CDPH data.

As of Monday, L.A. County represented 34% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 39% of the state’s deaths.