Pasadena Sees Record Number of New COVID-19 Infections in a Single Day; 2 New Deaths

Pasadena health officials reported 68 newly detected COVID-19 infections, representing the most cases reported in a single day that was not bolstered by backlogged data, along with two additional fatalities on Thursday.

The new figures raised the city’s totals to 3,875 known infections and 135 deaths.

The 68 cases on Thursday “is the highest count we have ever received that does not include old cases,” city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

The number was exceeded during only one prior day during the pandemic on May 20, when 80 new COVID-19 infections were detected, city data shows. But officials attributed a significant amount of that spike to a backlog in data reporting.

“We are starting to see positive cases that are linked to Thanksgiving gatherings,” Derderian said.

“Unfortunately, there are two deaths reported and will expect to see more due to the Thanksgiving break,” she said.

The new deaths were those of a 93-year-old woman who was living at a senior care facility on Nov. 26 and a 77-year-old woman who was not living in an institutional setting on Tuesday, according to Derderian.

The city’s average number of new daily cases over the prior week also reached an all time high at 47.6, city data shows.

Huntington Hospital reported treating 67 COVID-19 patients on Thursday.

At the county level, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported record numbers of both new infections and hospitalizations on Thursday.

With 7,854 new infections detected, “The number of new cases surpasses the previous all-time high of 7,593 reported on December 1,” the agency said in a written statement.

Forty-four additional deaths were announced, bringing the county-wide totals to 7,782 deaths and 421,881 cases of COVID-19.

County officials said 2,572 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized on Thursday, with 23% of them being treated in intensive care units.

“This number surpassed yesterday’s all-time high of 2,439 people hospitalized with COVID-19,” according to the county statement. “A continued surge in cases and hospitalizations is not sustainable because as hospitalizations increase sharply, the healthcare system can become overwhelmed.”

County health officials renewed their call for people to stay at home as much as possible, even if they feel no symptoms of illness.

L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer offered condolences to those who have lost a loved one to the virus. At the same time, she implored the public to do their part to prevent more death.

“We are at a dangerous point where surging cases and hospitalizations are not letting up. The county, state and local jurisdictions have taken measures to reduce crowding and mingling among non-household members, however this is a health crisis that requires all of us to take action and be diligent,” she said.

“I can’t emphasize this enough: Everyone must take personal steps to protect themselves and protect others,” according to Ferrer. “We can’t afford lapses in the straight-forward recommended safety measures because they have deadly consequences. It is a mistake to relax and let down our guard. Staying home is the best way to protect ourselves, those we love and those most vulnerable in our communities.”

The California Department of Public Health reported 18,591 new infections and 113 new fatalities on Thursday.

The new tallies brought the statewide totals to 1,264,539 cases of COVID-19 and 19,437 deaths, according to CDPH records.

As of Thursday, L.A. County accounted for 33% of California’s total infections and 40% of the state’s fatalities.