Pasadena COVID-19 Case Count Rises Above 400

Pasadena’s battle with the Coronavirus reached two tragic benchmarks on Thursday.

As April came to an end, the death toll reached 50 and the city’s case count increased above 400.

City health officials have confirmed 406 cases of infection since the pandemic began.

Some deaths occurred earlier this week and had pending results or were delayed because the hospital sent the report today.

Al but two deaths today were associated with institutional settings according to a city official.

“City of Pasadena officials extend our condolences to the families affected and we hope every day we won’t have to report any more deaths,” said city spokesperson Lisa Derderian. “We know the heartbreak this dreaded virus causes and the way it will impact the lives of families who carry on the memories of their loved ones who have passed away”

The count came one day after the city of Los Angeles announced they were providing free testing at city test centers for everyone in the county.

The free testing is not available at county test sites like the Rose Bowl.

“Los Angeles will become the first major city in America to offer wide scale testing to all of its residents with or without symptoms,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday.

Widespread testing is a key benchmark is lifting the state’s Safer at Home order.

Meanwhile, in order to avoid last weekend’s debacle Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he would close the state’s beaches.

Activity seen on only a few beaches threatened the progress California has made in battling coronavirus, the governor said Thursday.

“Specific issues on some of those beaches raised alarm bells,” Newsom said.

People flocked to beaches in Orange County last weekend despite Safer at Home orders calling for people to stay home and practice social distancing.

Heath officials with the county reminded young people on Thursday that they can catch the virus.

`I want to note that although older people are more likely to pass away and have severe illness from COVID-19, every day for the last week-and-a-half I’ve reported on a number of people who have unfortunately lost their lives and been younger than 65,” Ferrer said. “So I want to remind everybody, this virus really can cause devastating illness among people of all ages.”