The number of COVID-19-related fatalities increased by 51 one today, pushing the countywide death toll to 1,418, L.A. County officials announced.
Another 815 cases of the coronavirus were also reported by Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county's Director of Public Health, bringing the total to 29,427.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer also took a moment to remind residents during the Thursday afternoon briefing that gatherings of any size, outside of your immediate household, were still prohibited under the county's "safer-at-home" order. Thanks to warm temperatures and many regions re-opening beaches for 'active uses', the temptation to gather is large this weekend, but social distancing is still required.
California is also set to enter phase two of a four-phase reopening plan beginning Friday, in which some lower-risk businesses will be allowed to reopen for curbside pickup. Stores like clothing stores, sporting goods, florists and bookstores will be allowed to be reopened with limitations.
The number of confirmed cases around Southern California include:
- Los Angeles County: 29,427 cases - 1,418 deaths
- Orange County: 3,100 cases - 66 deaths
- Riverside County: 4,672 cases - 186 deaths
- Ventura County: 608 cases - 19 deaths
- San Bernardino County: 2,432 cases - 104 deaths
- San Diego County: 4,319 cases - 158 deaths
Statewide, there are more than 60,616 cases with at least 2,464 deaths reported. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, there are more than 1,244,119 cases nationwide with the death toll reaching 74,844 by Thursday afternoon.