Faced with the alarming numbers of victims of the coronavirus, workers have no choice but to go out and find a job.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday, for the second consecutive day, an alarming increase in the spread of the coronavirus in Los Angeles County. 2,364 new coronavirus cases and 34 deaths were confirmed.

It is still unknown with certainty if the contagions have been due to the massive protests on the streets of Los Angeles, which have led people to gather in large groups without maintaining physical distance; or for the rapid reopening of businesses in the county.

In the Latino community there is a significant number of people who are essential workers and that prevents them from working from home.

Among them are the day laborers who are forced to go out into the streets to find their daily sustenance. However, their situation has not been easy.

"We are seeing 200 to 300 workers outside waiting for work," said Jorge Nicolás, coordinator of the CARECEN journeymen center in the Westlake area. "Some are day laborers who were already here and others are workers who lost their jobs and come looking for extra work."

Nicolás said that the work has not increased in the center, but the people's despair. They also received the news that two colleagues were diagnosed with COVID-19 and had to isolate themselves but do not know exactly where they are.

Other day laborers have lost their home for not having to pay their rent; while the luckiest have managed to make arrangements with their roommates to continue living under one roof.

The health department confirmed through Tuesday afternoon 88,262 positive cases of COVID-19 in all areas of Los Angeles County, and a total of 3,171 deaths.

Ninety-four percent of the people who died had underlying health problems and 42% were Latino, making them the ethnic group with the most deaths in Los Angeles County.

In California, there are an estimated two million people without documents.

Barbara Ferrer, DPH director, said the recent increase in daily cases and positive test result rates indicate that there is more community spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County.

"This is why it is so important to use the tools we have to stop the spread of the virus," said Ferrer. “Practice physical distancing and wear a mouth cover. If you have been exposed and / or have tested positive for COVID-19 or are waiting for the results, isolate yourself and stay away from other people, including those who live in your home. ”

The DPH indicated that there have been small increases in hospitalizations on an average of seven days. About 1,515 people are currently hospitalized. 27% of these people are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 18% are on ventilators.

Although this number is significantly lower than the peak times when there were more than 1,900 people hospitalized daily, it is still higher than between the 1,350 and 1,450 daily hospitalizations that occurred in recent weeks.

Furious residents

On Monday, Director Ferrer confirmed that she has received death threats for constantly reporting on the spread of COVID-19. However, she says that this virus has killed thousands of people across the country.

"The virus has changed our world as we know it, and people are angry," said Ferrer. "We mourn each of those deaths, and we are working tirelessly to stop the spread of COVID-19 and find good solutions for the future of our communities."

Statements by the director of the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Barbara Ferrer. (Archive)

Ferrer said there is a growing number of public health officials across the country, who have been threatened with violence on a regular basis.

"In my case, the death threats began last month, during a COVID-19 public Facebook briefing when someone casually suggested that I be shot," Ferrer said. "I didn't see the message right away, but my husband did, my children did, and my colleagues did, too."

Ferrer added that she decides to go out to give the briefings to protect her team from the same attacks that have been occurring since March.

The director assured that she does not get carried away by political parties but rather by science. She said that many people might be uncomfortable having to wear the mouth cover.

"But the data proves that wearing a face shield will help stop COVID-19 transmission, which will save lives," said Ferrer. "And that is what drives public health officials and it is our passion: saving lives."

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