Single New COVID-19 Infection Detected in Pasadena on Thursday

COVID-19 statistics remained positive in Pasadena Thursday with only a single new infection reported and no additional fatalities, but authorities say it’s not yet time for the public to let its guard down.

The lone new infection raised Pasadena’s overall total number of infections to 11,204. The number of fatalities has remained steady at 340 since the last death in the city was documented eight days ago.

In the prior week, the city recorded an average of 2.6 infections each day, records show.

As officials at the local, county and state levels continue working to get as many residents vaccinated as possible, city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian reminded the public that health officials recommend vaccination even for people who have already had and recovered from the virus.

“Getting the vaccine is recommended even if you’ve had COVID-19,” she said.

With much still to be learned about the virus and its long-term implications, “Protection from the vaccination may last longer than if you’ve had an infection,” according to Derderian.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported 439 new infections and 36 deaths on Thursday, bringing the countywide totals to 1,230,362 COVID-19 cases and 23,736 fatalities.

Just under 470 people were being treated at L.A. County hospitals for the virus, with 24% of them in intensive care units, officials said.

L.A. County Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer urged everyone over 16 years old to get vaccinated, including people who have already had and recovered from COVID-19.

“Although transmission has been slowed in Los Angeles County, people are still dying every day from COVID-19. If you aren’t vaccinated, your chances of dying from COVID-19 is about 1 in 500. If you get vaccinated, your chances of dying from COVID-19 are less than 1 in a million,” she said.

“The more people vaccinated, the less deaths we will suffer,” according to Ferrer. “Even if you had COVID-19 and recovered, you still need to get vaccinated to have more complete and longer-lasting protection.”

State public health officials announced 2,411 new infections and 102 fatalities, bringing the pandemic totals to 3,624,838 infections and 59,992 deaths.

The statewide average positivity rate over the prior week was recorded at 1.5%, according to CDPH data.

As of Thursday, L.A. County accounted for 34% of California’s COVID-19 infections and 40% of the state’s deaths.