Pasadena Reports New Record of Most COVID-19 Cases in a Single Day – Each Day, For 3 Days in a Row

Pasadena set a grim new record on Sunday when city officials reported the most cases of the coronavirus ever recorded in a single day. It was the third day in a row the city saw that record broken, each day surpassing the previous.

On Sunday, city officials reported 120 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths. The 120 cases is a new record for coronavirus cases in Pasadena.

On Saturday the city had set a record with 109 new cases, which broke the record of 93 set the day before on Friday.

“Today is the highest [number of] cases we have ever received with a total of 120 incident cases,” said Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian on Sunday. “The median age has decreased to 40 years old. A majority of these cases are tied to Thanksgiving gatherings.  We are seeing the younger generation spreading it to parents so there is the 20s group and 40-50s age group. This is why isolation and quarantine is vital to stop the spread.” 

Sixty-eight people were being treated at Huntington Hospital, including 13 people in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Cases around the region have been surging over the past several weeks. Ninety-three cases were reported on Friday and 109 were reported on Saturday.

The record-setting numbers come as a new state health order goes into effect. 

The health order sets strict stay-at-home requirements and limitations on business for multicounty regions facing reduced critical care resources due to the increasing rate of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.  

Because L.A. County’s ICU bed availability has dropped below 15%, effective at midnight. Sunday, outdoor dining, personal services businesses, including hair and nail salons and all bars were required to close down for at least 21 days.

In Pasadena, the order went into effect at 10 p.m.

Affected communities, including Pasadena, have limitations of 20% on all retail establishments. Under the state order, restaurants will be required to return to take out and delivery services, only.  

All gatherings of more than one household are prohibited, sector operations were closed except for critical infrastructure and retail, and face coverings and physical distancing are required in all others operations. 

Schools that have been granted waivers were allowed to continue to operate, as well as child care facilities. City Officials were awaiting more specific guidance from the State regarding additional restrictions.

“We need to do our part to avert the projected devastating scenario. We must refrain from gathering with people from outside our household whenever possible. We need to work together to protect our family, friends, neighbors, and businesses,” said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena Public Health Officer.