‘COVID-19 Does Not Care About Your Age’: Young Adult Coronavirus Cases Rise In L.A. County

Posted by: KHTS Newsroom in Coronavirus, Santa Clarita Latest News August 5, 2020 - 1:17 pm 0 2,018 Views

2,347 additional coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County confirmed on Wednesday, with young people contributing to the majority of new cases, officials said.

The L.A. County total of cumulative coronavirus cases now stands at 197,912 as of Wednesday, according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH).

A delay in the reporting of cases from the state has continued, according to Ferrer.

“Our efforts are working and we must continue on this trajectory, continue to stay at home, continue to avoid gatherings and continue wearing a mask and physical,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis. “It does not mean that we can’t resume our normal lives. Unfortunately, we are far from that. I thank you for meeting the moment and for your continued sacrifices to keep each other safe.”

54 percent of all new cases reported Wednesday were under the age of 30, according to Solis.

The supervisor said that the County is using social media to reach the youth population, and is targeting their messaging.

Courtesy of LA DPH. Aug. 5, 2020

Ferrer encouraged the public to continue social distancing measures and avoid large gatherings.

“We ask that everyone make good decisions,” Ferrer said. “Don’t host large parties and don’t attend a party. If you’re invited. It isn’t worth the risk you run and it certainly isn’t worth the risk.”

The public health department is responding to thousands of complaints of residents violating the health order, most notably a mansion party in Beverly Crest where one person died in a shooting.

“I do think an equally important question to ask is why so many people are willing to put our entire community at risk during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Ferrer. “One thing for certain is that we will not be able to arrest our way out of the pandemic. only going to get through this with everyone doing their part.”

There are more than 1,768 people currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 throughout L.A. County, Ferrer said.

30 percent of those currently hospitalized are in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to Ferrer.

Testing results are available for over 1,839,157 individuals as of Wednesday, with 10 percent of all people testing positive, according to public health officials.

68 additional deaths have been reported Wednesday, for a total of 4,825 people who have died due to coronavirus in Los Angeles County. Ferrer stated that this low number is likely due to a weekend backlog.

“I do think an equally important question to ask is why so many people are willing to put our entire community at risk during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Ferrer. “One thing for certain is that we will not be able to arrest our way out of the pandemic. We are only going to get through this with everyone doing their part.”

92 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in the county had underlying health conditions, according to public health, further encouraging those with medical issues to stay home, if possible.

As of Tuesday, a total of 4,429 cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley since testing began in March. These include:

2,253 in the City of Santa Clarita*
84 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country
1,862 in Castaic*
15 in the unincorporated areas of Saugus
121 in Stevenson Ranch
35 in the unincorporated areas of Valencia
45 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde
Six in the unincorporated areas of Newhall
Two in the unincorporated areas of Bouquet Canyon
One in the unincorporated areas of Saugus/Canyon Country
Five in unincorporated Sand Canyon

*As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, officials had recorded 1,321 cumulative cases among prisoners at the North County Correctional Facility, and 495 at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center. Those cases are counted in both the City of Santa Clarita and Castaic totals.

Additionally, 45 cases have been confirmed in nearby Acton as well as 20 in Agua Dulce.

An analysis of available data indicates that as of Tuesday, Aug. 4, approximately 41.0 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, Aug. 5, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital has conducted 5,570 COVID-19 tests. Of those, 682 have tested positive, and 176 tests are still pending with Henry Mayo, according to Patrick Moody, spokesperson for the hospital.

There are 13 patients in the hospital as of Wednesday, five less than Saturday, while 176 patients have been discharged since the hospital’s first case was reported in March, according to Moody.

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

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