Pasadena Marks 2 Weeks Without a COVID-19 Fatality

Thursday marked two weeks without a reported COVID-19-related death in Pasadena.

Eight new infections were documented, although four of them were older cases that had been added to the official tally from a state backlog, according to Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.

The city’s totals stood at 2,721 known infections and 129 fatalities, according to city data. The last death in the city due to the virus was reported on Oct. 8.

“We’re very optimistic about our numbers and hope everyone remains vigilant and we enter the holiday season where we see more travel and gatherings,” Derderian said.

Huntington Hospital reported treating 25 COVID-19 patients on Thursday.

Los Angeles County public health officials announced 3,600 new infections and 18 additional deaths on Thursday, but said the number of cases was inflated by about 2,000 due to a backlog in the data reporting system over the past few days. Backlogged cases were expected to be added to the daily tallies over the coming days, as well.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health had recorded a total of 294,065 COVID-19 infections and 6,956 deaths since the onset of the pandemic.

Officials reported 777 COVID-19 patients hospitalized throughout the county on Thursday, with 29% of them in intensive care units, county health officials said in a written statement.

L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer reminded people that they, or others, may be infected and able to spread the virus without knowing.

“When we look at the widespread transmission occurring in L.A. County, we know that many people who become positive for COVID-19 are unaware they were exposed to an infected person. I asked that you keep this in mind when you are out and about,” she said.

“There is no certainty that people you’re interacting with or are in close proximity to at a gathering are not infected,” according to Ferrer. “We do know with certainty that when people don’t protect themselves and others — by wearing a face covering, washing hands often, and at least staying six feet from others — this virus can quickly spread with devastating effects.”

The California Department of Public Health reported 2,940 new infections and 162 new deaths Thursday, bringing the statewide totals to 880,724 cases of COVID-19 and 17,289 deaths.

The average positivity rate over the prior seven days was 2.7%, and the 14-day average was 2.6%, the CDPH said in a written statement.

As of Thursday, Los Angeles County represented 33% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 40% of the state’s fatalities.