L.A. County health officials today reported another 851 cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the countywide total to 28,644.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county's Director of Public Health, also reported 55 new deaths from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 1,367. Of the more than 1,300 people who have died over the last few months, 92% of them had some kind of underlying health conditions.
Also on Wednesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced that new orders will take effect on Friday that will allow the reopening of trails and golf courses, as well as some retail businesses for curbside pickup of goods. Some of the businesses being allowed to open include: florists, car dealers, book stores, sporting good stores, florists, clothing stores and music shops, although safety precautions will be in effect.
While many beaches in Orange County have been given the go-ahead by state and local governments to reopen for 'active uses,' L.A. County officials say beaches are NOT yet included on the list of places that will be allowed to reopen on Friday. Officials are currently working on a plan that will likely be implemented "in the very near future."
The number of confirmed cases around Southern California include:
- Los Angeles County: 28,644 cases - 1,367 deaths
- Orange County: 3,004 cases - 65 deaths
- Riverside County: 4,454 cases - 184 deaths
- Ventura County: 595 cases - 19 deaths
- San Bernardino County: 2,329 cases - 101 deaths
- San Diego County: 4,160 cases - 150 deaths
Statewide, there are more than 58,794 cases with at least 2,389 deaths reported. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, there are more than 1,214,572 cases nationwide with the death toll reaching 71,982 by Wednesday afternoon.