Pasadena’s Weekly COVID-19 Infection Rate Highest Since March

Public health officials in Pasadena reported detecting 13 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, as the city’s weekly infection rate reached the highest point since early March.

The 13 additional infections raised the city’s pandemic total to 11,484, according to Pasadena Public Health Department data.

No deaths were reported Wednesday, and the local death toll stood at 351.

With 12.4 cases reported daily over the prior week, Pasadena’s weekly infection rate reached its highest point since March 8, according to city records.

Authorities at the county level reported 1,315 new infections and nine fatalities on Wednesday, bringing the county’s totals to 1,261,068 COVID-19 cases and 24,562 deaths.

“Community transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County has increased to a moderate level and may continue to increase unless everyone consistently and proactively takes steps to reduce their risk of infection and the spread of COVID-19,” according to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health statement.

County officials reported 398 people hospitalized with the virus, which was up 45% from the 275 patients being treated at hospitals count-wide last Wednesday, authorities said.

L.A. County’s test positivity rate had reached 3.7%, up from 2.3% a week earlier.

Officials urged as many people as possible to get vaccinated and encouraged everyone to wear masks while indoors with others.

“While 61% of eligible County residents are fully vaccinated, we have millions of L.A. County residents who have not been or are not eligible to be vaccinated, including 1.3 million children under 12 years of age,” according to L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer.

“If you are not vaccinated, consider getting your vaccination now to increase protection for you and for those who can’t be vaccinated,” she said. “Wearing a face mask when the vaccination status of the people you are around is unknown can help prevent transmission. The best way to reduce your risk of infection and, if infected, serious illness from COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated against it.”

California Department of Public Health officials announced 3,093 new infections and 30 deaths on Wednesday, raising the statewide totals to 3,740,092 cases of COVID-19 and 63,508 fatalities.

The state’s average positivity rate over the prior week continued rising and was recorded at 3%, according to CDPH data.

As of Wednesday, L.A. County represented 34% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 39% of the state’s deaths.