Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles is deserted after the closings ordered by the coronavirus.
Photo:
FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP / Getty Images
Public health officials of the Los Angeles County confirmed on Tuesday, March 17 that there are 50 new cases of the new coronavirus, bringing the county's total to 144 confirmed cases, including also the new cases in the cities of Long beach Y Pasadena.
- One case had close contact with a confirmed case.
- 49 of these cases are pending further investigation.
The 144 confirmed cases in the county include eight reported in Long Beach and two in Pasadena.
In L.A. County, 15 cases were the result of possible community transmission and one person has died from COVID-19.
"We anticipate that we would see new cases and will continue to see new cases as we continue our ability to test." said the director of Public Health, Barbara Ferrer. "And there are more people who will get infected. That does not mean that our social distancing efforts are not working. It usually takes a few weeks to see the fruits of our work. ”
Ferrer said the county's ability to assess individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 improves daily. The county laboratory has evaluated 206 people so far, and several commercial laboratories have evaluated about 900, he said.
"This is good news for all of us," said Ferrer. "We desperately needed to increase our laboratory capacity."
Ferrer urged residents to continue social distancing and isolation at home. He also said that Shopping in crowded stores at this time is also not a good idea.
Financial relief measures
The county and city of Los Angeles, as well as the city councils of various cities in Southern California, are doing efforts to offer financial aid in these difficult times.
"We know that the public health guide for the closure of restaurants, bars, entertainment centers and gyms is having an immediate impact on thousands of people who depend on these jobs for their livelihood," said County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents District 5. "It is also creating a tremendous burden on business owners."
This includes eviction moratoriums from March 4 to May 31 Y small business loans.
Barger said that directly affected employees They may apply for individual assistance, filing unemployment claims, sick leave insurance, or workers' compensation. Those who directly care for someone infected with COVID-19 can also file claims.
As part of an emergency measure before the County Board of Supervisors, banks to postpone foreclosures and utility companies will be asked to avoid service cuts due to defaults, while the county emergency order is still in effect, District 1 supervisor Hilda Solis said.
