A total of 1,465 confirmed coronavirus, COVID-19, cases have been reported in Los Angeles County as of Friday afternoon, officials said.

The 257 cases have been reported Friday alone within the county, according to Dr. Barbera Ferrer, the director of the Department of Public Health.

Five additional deaths have been reported on Friday, all over the age of 60, according to Ferrer, with one death Thursday with the victim in their 40s, having underlying health conditions.

“To these people suffering these terrible losses, we are here with you,” Ferrer said.

Over the last 48 hours, there have been 678 new cases. Over the past week, there have been 1,173 new cases, according to the public health director.

“In less than a week, we have gone from 409 to we have more than tripled in the number in L.A. County this increase reflects improved access to testing. We also have to assume these numbers the very real act we have a lot more infected in the county,” said Ferrer

317 coronavirus cases have required hospitalization, according to Ferrer.

The public health director noted this increase is in part of more testing throughout the county, but warned of further increasing numbers.

Over 11,000 people have been tasted, about 11 percent have tested positive, according to public health officials.

The L.A. County health officer has ordered the closure of county beaches, according to county leaders.

This applies to all L.A. County beaches, beach bathrooms, piers, promenades and beach bike paths. In addition, it incorporates previously announced closures of public trails, according to the county.

Hiking trails, trailheads, beaches, beach access trails are closed until April 19, according to county officials.

Ferrer further encouraged social distancing and staying at home whenever possible to curb the spread of coronavirus as the United States rises to the country with the most cases in the world.

Those who have a presumed or confirmed case of COVID-19 or are in close contact with someone with coronavirus should self-isolate, officials said.

“Please stay home, you are safer at home,” Ferrer said. “This is a lot to ask … but it is really important. Working together does save lives.”

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