Pasadena Reaches Lowest Rate of Weekly COVID-19 Infections in 3 Months

With 14 new COVID-19 infections detected in Pasadena on Monday, the city saw its lowest weekly rate of infections in three months, according to city officials and data.

Over the prior week, Pasadena Public Health officials documented an average of 22.7 new infections daily, representing the lowest rate recorded since Nov. 15.

No additional fatalities were reported Monday for the first time since Feb. 6.

Cases also continued to decline at Huntington Hospital, which reported 90 total COVID-19 patients being treated there on Monday, with 17 of them being housed in intensive care units.

Average daily COVID-19 admissions at the facility had declined to 9.3, according to hospital data.

Just under 23,000 Pasadenans have received their first doses of vaccine, according to city data. More than 5,500 have received both doses.

Two mass vaccinations were planned this week to administer scheduled second doses only, city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. “All others will be turned away,” Derderian said.

Public health officials at the Los Angeles County level reported 1,869 new infections and 29 additional fatalities.

Monday’s figures raised the countywide totals to 1,168,358 known cases of COVID-19 and 10,095 deaths, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

The daily test positivity rate was recorded at 5.2%, down sharply from the rate of 14.3% recorded as recently as Jan. 15, according to a statement issued by the agency.

County officials reported 3,092 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with 30 percent of them being cared for in ICUs, the statement said. “Since January 15, hospitalizations are down 60%.”

“While key COVID-19 indicators are declining, the virus is still very much present and circulating widely in Los Angeles County,” according to the statement. “Public health urges residents to remain cautious and implement safety precautions in their everyday life.”

L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer called for continued cooperation to drive the numbers down.

“On this Presidents’ Day, we remember the many hardships our country has overcome together; we are in the midst of one of these tremendous challenges. Through collaborative work and individual actions, we continue our recovery journey and end the devastating impact of COVID-19,” she said. “We urge everyone to remain vigilant and take the necessary safety precautions.”

Public health officials at the state level announced 6,487 new infections and 200 additional deaths, bringing the totals to 3,406,365 documented cases of COVID-19 and 47,043 fatalities.

The statewide average positivity rate over the prior week had decreased to 3.7%, according to California Department of Public Health officials. The 14-day average dropped to 4.3%, which was the lowest rate recorded since Nov. 13.

As of Monday, L.A. County represented 34% of California’s total COVID-19 infections and 41% of the state’s fatalities.