Public Health Officials Urge Pandemic Precautions Over Labor Day Weekend

Authorities implored the public to avoid crowds and use masks when appropriate over Labor Day weekend, hoping not to see a reversal of recent progress seen against the virus.

Eleven cases were documented in Pasadena on Thursday, with no additional deaths, according to the Pasadena Public Health Department.

In total, the city has recorded 12,783 cases of COVID-19 and 354 fatalities.

Over the prior week, an average of 19.6 new infections were detected among Pasadenans each day, city data shows.

Huntington Hospital officials reported treating 31 COVID-19 patients as of Thursday, with eight of them being cared for in intensive care units.

Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer reported 2,741 new infections and 43 deaths on Thursday, bringing the county’s pandemic totals to 1,412,240 cases of COVID-19 and 25,364 fatalities.

Hospitalizations dipped slightly across the county since last week, with 1,673 patients being treated at county hospitals, she said.

Thursday’s daily test positivity rate was measured at 2.97%.

Ferrer encouraged individuals and families to consider the risk posed by COVID-19 when planning their Labor Day weekend activities, and to make choices such as avoiding crowds and wearing masks to mitigate the risk.

“There’s great power to protect ourselves and each other in those choices, and approaching them thoughtfully is our path through this together,” she said.

The California Department of Public Health announced 10,194 infections and 155 fatalities, raising the state-wide totals to 4,256,244 confirmed infections and 65,585 deaths.

The state’s weekly positivity rate stood at 4.9%, according to CDPH data.

As of Thursday, L.A. County accounted for 33% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 39% of the state’s related fatalities.