Pasadena’s Pandemic Death Toll Grows by 2; County Further Loosens Restrictions

Officials documented two COVID-19 deaths and two new infections in Pasadena on Friday.

The new figures raised the city’s pandemic totals to 346 fatalities and 11,224 known cases of the virus.

The two deaths added to city records on Friday took place in January and February, but were only recently confirmed as COVID-19 related, city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

An average of 2.7 Pasdenans tested positive for the virus daily over the prior week, according to Pasadena Public Health Department data.

Meanwhile, Huntington Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Kimberly Shriner urged Pasadenans to make sure they don’t blow off their second vaccination appointments after receiving their first inoculations.

Don’t skip your second #COVID19 vaccine dose. If you received your first dose of Moderna or Pfizer, the second dose is necessary to have the strongest protection against COVID-19 and #EndThePandemic. @huntingtonnews pic.twitter.com/Neo996ftnv

— City of Pasadena (@PasadenaGov) April 30, 2021

“If you received your first vaccine of a two-part vaccine series, please get your second shot,” she said in a video statement.

“Although the first vaccine does give you some immunity, it doesn’t lock it in like we would like to,” Shriner said. “The second shot really stimulates your immune system and gives you the full protection that we are going to need to get out of this pandemic. Get your second shot.”

The public appeal came after Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials announced Monday that more than 277,000 people in the county were late for the second doses. It was not clear how many people in Pasadena, specifically, were late.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 405 new infections and 21 deaths on Friday, bringing the county-wide totals to 1,233,060 cases of COVID-19 and 23,890 fatalities.

The county’s daily test positivity rate was recorded at 0.7%.

Officials reported 420 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in L.A. County, with 23% of them being treated in intensive care units.

County health officials also announced they were revising the county’s health order to reflect recent changes in recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Arcades and indoor playgrounds, such as bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag, will be permitted to open at 25% capacity, with safety precautions in place, according to a statement from the L.A. County Department of Public Health.

“Bars, breweries and wineries hours of operation limitations due to the pandemic have been removed, and employees who are fully vaccinated at food service facilities have the option of wearing a face shield in addition to a face mask when in close contact with customers; wearing a mask is still required,” the statement said.

In-person behavior health services, such as mental health and substance abuse support programs, “may return to typical participant levels with specified safety modifications,” the statement added.

The modified health order can be viewed online at publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/docs/HOO/HOO_SaferatHomeCommunity.pdf.

The Pasadena Public Health Department had not followed suit as of Friday evening.

Despite the loosening of restrictions, L.A. County Director of Public Health said it’s not yet time for members of the public to let their guards down.

“We must continue to be careful and take sensible precautions in the weeks ahead while we vaccinate more people, especially as we look to move to the least restrictive tier in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework,” she said.

“While fully vaccinated people can participate in some activities because of the protection vaccinations give them, it is critically important that we continue to wear masks, avoid crowds and encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated — both first and second doses,” Ferrer said. “The majority of people in Los Angeles County are not fully vaccinated and some are not able to be vaccinated. Getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is effective at preventing serious illness and death and protects our entire community.”

State health officials announced 1,897 new COVID-19 infections and 105 deaths on Friday, bringing the statewide totals to 3,638,132 cases of the virus and 60,467 fatalities.

The state’s average positivity rate over the prior week held at 1.3%, where it’s remained since Wednesday, according to California Department of Public Health data.

As of Friday, L.A.County represented 34% of California’s total COVID-19 infections and 40% of the state’s deaths.