LA County reports 798 new coronavirus cases, 5 deaths; low numbers likely due to weekend lag

Los Angeles County reported 798 new cases of COVID-19 and five more deaths on Sunday, Sept. 6, bringing the county’s totals to 248,334 cases and 6,005 fatalities.

Officials with the county’s Department of Public Health said the low case and deaths counts likely reflect a reporting lag due to the holiday weekend.

The number of people hospitalized in the county continued its steady decline, dropping from 984 Saturday to 966. County officials noted that figure is at least a 50% drop from the early August totals that topped 2,000.

Testing results were available for 2,373,050 individuals with 10% of all people testing positive.

The mid-day report did not include updated numbers for Pasadena and Long Beach, cities that operate their own health departments. Pasadena added five new cases Sunday, for a total of 2,439, but did not add any deaths to its total of 117. Long Beach is not reporting over the holiday weekend; its totals remained at 10,927 cases and 227 deaths.

Health officials continue to track the number of positive cases and deaths among health care workers, announcing a total of 87 deaths and 14,448 positive cases among health care workers and first responders in Los Angeles County.

Nurses continue to account for the majority of cases (37%) and deaths (41%) among the sector. One-third of health care workers who tested positive for the virus worked at skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and 26% worked at hospitals.

“Our hearts are with all who have lost their loved ones to COVID-19, and may peace and comfort find each of you during these difficult times,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Our thoughts are also with all the families and friends of health care workers, who worry each day about the risks their loved ones face as they care for our sick and disabled residents.”

County officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of the coronavirus setbacks experienced following the Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays, which led to dramatic spikes in virus cases, hospitalizations and deaths. All three of those metrics have been trending downward in recent weeks in the county, and health officials have been making pleas for the past two weeks that residents avoid Labor Day parties or gatherings with people outside their own households.

Public health officials urged people to only gather with members of their household, and to use their own utensils, cups, food, and drinks and not share with others.

The county Department of Beaches and Harbors also stressed that barbecues and bonfires are prohibited at the beaches and in beach parking lots.