County officials provide updates, and answer questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic for July 22nd, 2020.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 50 new deaths and 2,741 new cases of COVID-19. Of the new cases reported by Public Health today (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena), 57% occurred in people under the age of 41 years old.

This continues to confirm younger people are driving new infections and spread of COVID-19.

To date, Public Health has identified 161,673 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 4,154 deaths. There are 2,218 confirmed cases currently hospitalized, 26% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU and 18% are confirmed cases on ventilators. This is the third consecutive day of over 2,200 hospitalization.

Testing results are available for over 1,559,000 individuals with 9.6% of all people testing positive.

“Every day we think of the many families experiencing the profound grief of losing a loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “The tragedy of what we are witnessing is that many of our younger residents are interacting with each other and not adhering to the recommended prevention measures, while our older residents continue to experience the results of this increased spread with the worst health outcomes, including death. People over the age of 65 years old account for 11% of all cases but account for nearly 75% of all deaths. Our behaviors, including the wearing of face coverings and the adherence of physical distancing —simple actions of kindness and caring — can protect those we love.”

Of the 50 new deaths, 34 people that passed away (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena) were over the age of 65 years old and 15 people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years. 39 people had underlying health conditions including 29 people over the age of 65 years old and 10 people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach.

Ninety-two percent of people who died had underlying health conditions. Of those who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 3,867 people (99 percent of the cases reported by Public Health); 47% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 26% among White residents, 15% among Asian residents, 11% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 1% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 113 cases reported earlier were not LA County residents.

If a person has a positive lab result for COVID-19, expect a public health specialist from LA County Public Health to contact them by phone to interview about possible exposures and to identify others who may have also been exposed to the infection. The information is protected and cannot be shared with others except in emergency situations. A public health specialist will never ask for a social security number, payment or documented status. Remember that if you think you could be positive and are awaiting testing results, to stay at home and act as if you are positive for COVID-19. This means self-isolating for 10 days and 24 hours after symptoms and fever subside.

To encourage participation in case investigation and contact tracing efforts to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Public Health is providing $10 million to community-based organizations and piloting a $20 gift card incentive for full participation in the interview process.

Public Health has a dedicated call line for confirmed cases of COVID-19. If you are positive for COVID-19 and have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services, call toll-free at 1-833-540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 should continue to call 211 for resources or more information.

Business owners and residents must do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Current Health Officer Orders require business owners to close indoor operations at many businesses and take immediate action to implement strategies that protect workers and customers. Public Health urges everyone to avoid the Three C’s: Crowded places, Confined spaces and Close contact with others not in your household. Everyone should always wear a face covering securely over your nose and mouth and keep six feet apart from others not in your household when out in public. Public Health reminds everyone that you remain safer at home.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website,

www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.