A total of 26,217 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported in Los Angeles County as of Monday afternoon, officials said.

An additional 568 COVID-19 cases were reported Monday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer.

Ferrer noted numbers are lower on Mondays due to limited testing over the weekend. 

The public health director said further details on reopening are expected to be released later this week, following an announcement from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“I know we’re all looking forward to more businesses reopening and more people being able to get back to work. I do want to emphasize that all of us share in the responsibility to reopen in a way that’s safe and doesn’t cause a spike in COVID-19 cases that can result in overwhelming our healthcare system,” Ferrer said.

Physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings, washing your hands, self-isolating and self quarantining will continue to be important actions that will need to do throughout the foreseeable future for older people and people who have underlying health conditions, according to Ferrer.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger highlighted the $500,000 in grants from the Los Angeles County Department Of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services.

The grants went to 59 local small businesses nonprofits and social enterprises impacted by the coronavirus, according to the supervisor.

The department also announced  Monday employer assistance grant funds, which saved over 311 jobs, according to Barger.

Approximately 172,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted so far as of Monday, with 13 percent positive, according to public health officials. 

A total of 28 deaths have been reported Monday, bringing the total of COVID-19-related deaths to 1,256 in Los Angeles County, according to Ferrer. 

22 of the deaths reported were over the age of 65, according to the DPH.

“Our community has suffered many losses to COVID-19 and to the families and friends who are mourning the passing of their loved ones sorry and we are wishing you healing,” Ferrer said.

93 percent of all deaths in the county had underlying health conditions, according to Ferrer, further encouraging those with medical issues to stay home, if possible. 

“Dor people who have underlying health conditions like asthma, COPD, cancer or other conditions that can affect your immune system, please do your very best to stay home as much as possible to avoid contact with other people and most importantly at the first sign of illness we ask that you call your healthcare provider,” Ferrer said. 

Those without a healthcare provider are encouraged to call 211, according to the health director.

As of Sunday afternoon, a total of 538 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley. These include:

• 402 in the City of Santa Clarita
• 21 in Castaic
• 18 in Stevenson Ranch
• 26 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country
• Three in the unincorporated areas of Saugus
• 63 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde
• Five in the unincorporated areas of Valencia

No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the unincorporated areas of Newhall as of Sunday afternoon.

Additionally, eight cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in nearby Acton as of Sunday, as well as one in nearby Agua Dulce.

Public health officials are not releasing death or recovery numbers by city, according to the department.

See All Coronavirus Coverage Here: Coronavirus Coverage – COVID-19 Map

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