46 New Coronavirus Cases Reported In Santa Clarita Valley, 1,160 In L.A. County

Posted by: KHTS Newsroom in Coronavirus, Santa Clarita Latest News September 17, 2020 - 5:24 pm 0 1,049 Views

46 new positive COVID-19, coronavirus cases were reported in the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as 1,160 new cases in Los Angeles County.

The additional cases reported Thursday brings the Santa Clarita Valley cumulative total to 5,635 with the Los Angeles County total reaching 257,271 according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

“Every year, tens of thousands of people nationwide are hospitalized or die from flu-related illness. Considering the toll COVID-19 has had on our healthcare system, now more than ever it is important to be protected from influenza by getting immunized,” reads the official release from L.A. County Public Health. “Not only is getting immunized important because it is safe and provides protection against the harmful effects of influenza, it can also help keep people out of the hospital which will conserve hospital resources that may be taxed with both influenza and COVID-19 circulating at the same time.”

As of Thursday, Los Angeles County remains in Tier 1 of the state’s coronavirus criteria, the highest, most restrictive category.

There are currently 780 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, with 31 percent of those patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to the department.

Testing results are available for over 2,494,000 individuals as of Thursday, with a positivity rate of 10 percent, according to public health officials.

38 additional deaths have been reported within the county Thursday, for a total of 6,324 recorded people who have died due to coronavirus in Los Angeles County since March.

“We send our deepest sympathies to everyone who has lost a loved one or friend to COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health. “As many residents are spending more time indoors to avoid the poor air quality, I remind everyone to take precautions to minimize COVID-19 spread if you are indoors with others. Please remember to distance from other people, wear a face covering, and wash your hands frequently and to clean high touch surfaces often if around others who are at high risk. It is important to continue to isolate from others if you are sick and to get tested for COVID-19 if you were exposed or have symptoms.”

As of Thursday, a total of 5,635 cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley since testing began in March. This is an increase of 46 compared to Thursday. These include:

3,267 in the City of Santa Clarita*
124 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country
1,932 in Castaic*
27 in the unincorporated areas of Saugus
157 in Stevenson Ranch
42 in the unincorporated areas of Valencia
67 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde
Six in the unincorporated areas of Newhall
Six in the unincorporated areas of Bouquet Canyon
One in the unincorporated areas of Saugus/Canyon Country
Six in unincorporated Sand Canyon

*As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, officials had recorded 1,335 cumulative cases among prisoners at the North County Correctional Facility, and 498 at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center. Those cases are distributed between both the City of Santa Clarita and Castaic totals.

Additionally, 66 cumulative cases have been confirmed in nearby Acton as well as 26 in Agua Dulce.

An analysis of available data indicates that as of Wednesday, Sept. 16, approximately 32.8 percent of all cumulative cases in and around the Santa Clarita Valley can be attributed to the inmate population at the North County Correctional Facility and the Pitchess Detention Center.

As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital has conducted 7,664 COVID-19 tests. Of those, 839 have tested positive, and 23 tests are still pending with Henry Mayo, according to Patrick Moody, spokesperson for the hospital.

There are 14 patients in the hospital as of Wednesday, while 244 patients have been discharged since the hospital’s first case was reported in March, according to Moody.

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