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Pasadena Counts Over 290 New COVID-19 Cases in 7 Days Amid Concerns Thanksgiving Could Become a “Superspreader Event”

Published on Thursday, November 26, 2020 | 5:52 am
 

Health officials announced 38 new COVID-19 cases in Pasadena on Wednesday, as the state reported its largest-ever single-day number of infections at more than 18,000.

No new deaths were reported in Pasadena, and documented fatalities remained at 132, according to city data. A total of 3,492 COVID-19 cases had been reported in all.

Of the new cases reported Wednesday, all but one were believed to have been “community-acquired,” as opposed to contracted in an institutional setting, city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

On the eve of Thanksgiving, Derderian renewed the city’s plea for residents to avoid gatherings.

“Consider a virtual holiday celebration to keep your friends and family safe, and reduce community spread of COVID-19,” she said.

And she reminded the public that a negative COVID-19 test does not grant license to disregard social distancing.

“A negative COVID-19 test should not be used to determine that it is safe to gather with others,” Derderian said. “If you have recently been exposed to COVID-19 and your COVID-19 test is negative, you could still develop symptoms up to 14 days after being exposed.”

Huntington Hospital officials reported treating 45 COVID-19 patients on Wednesday after experiencing a significant surge in recent days.

At 18,350 infections, the California Department of Public Health reported its highest-ever number of COVID-19 cases in a single day, exceeding the previous record, set Saturday, by 19%. Total infections stood at 1,144,049.

State officials also reported 106 new fatalities, bringing the statewide death toll to 18,875.

The statewide positivity rate over the prior seven days had climbed to 6.5%, according to state officials.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 4,311 new COVID-19 infections and 49 additional deaths on Wednesday. Officials continued to see “troubling increases in key indicators, including daily new cases, hospitalizations, and test positivity rates, the agency said in a written statement.

The spike in cases was likely to lead to a spike in deaths, officials warned.

“With accelerated COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations, the County may tragically experience increases in people passing away from COVID-19. These last two days, L.A. County has experienced high numbers of COVID-19 deaths, an average of 50 deaths per day,” the statement said. “Public Health is monitoring the number of people passing away closely. COVID-19 deaths reflect transmission that occurred several weeks ago.”

Wednesday tallies brought the county-wide totals to 378,323 COVID-19 cases and 7,543 deaths.

L.A. County’s average daily detected infections had reached 4,381, up from 1,393 as recently as Nov. 1, county public health officials said. The positivity rate over the same time period climbed from 3.9% to 7.3%.

More than 1,680 patients were hospitalized in the county with the virus on Wednesday, with 25% of them in intensive care units, authorities reported. On Nov. 1, 791 patients were hospitalized.

In an effort to stem the spread, L.A. County was set to enact a county-wide ban on all dining services. But the policy does not affect Pasadena, which has its own health department.

L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis said the move was unpleasant but necessary.

“It is a tragedy that we have come to this point. I am keenly aware that suspending outdoor dining will have a detrimental impact on our small businesses,” she said. “But I’ve said time and time again that I will listen to our public health experts — and their recommendation is clear. None of us want to see this closure, but it is necessary to protect our collective well-being.”

“We cannot succumb to the false dichotomy between the health of our economy and that of the public. They are intrinsically linked and addressing the surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations is necessary to halt any long-term economic damage that can result from overwhelmed hospitals, sick employees, and safety net programs stretched thin, Solis said.

“Our healthcare workers are exhausted, our essential workers are severely impacted, and while our residents are as well, this is a critical juncture requiring decisive action and a steadfast commitment to safety,” according to Solis. “I know our residents will once again slow the spread of COVID-19 and its destructive economic consequences. We have come so far — and I am calling on all of us to continue that work. It will save lives.”

L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer once again reminded the public that they are not merely bystanders to the pandemic.

“The alarming increase in cases is not due to random events out of our control. Many of these cases could have been prevented if individuals and businesses were following the straightforward public health measures of masking, distancing and infection control,” she said. “Unless we unite behind the belief that each of us has a responsibility to protect others, we will face a devastating holiday season. Our choices matter and following the rules that reduce virus transmission is the only way to get back to slowing the spread.

“Please celebrate Thanksgiving only with the people you live with,” Ferrer said. “And let us give thanks to all those who are protecting others, especially our healthcare workers, and the many, many businesses and individuals who have spent the last months doing their part to be safe.”

As of Wednesday, L.A. County represented 33% of California’s COVID-19 cases and 40% of the state’s fatalities.

See also:

Huntington Hospital Sees Rapid Increase in Number of COVID-19 Patient Admissions

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