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LA County reports an additional 1,491 coronavirus cases due to data-logging error
Due to a data-logging error, Los Angeles County on Monday reported an additional 1,491 coronavirus cases in the county, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 13,816.
LOS ANGELES - Due to a data-logging error, Los Angeles County on Monday reported an additional 1,491 coronavirus cases in the county, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 13,816.
Los Angeles Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said that only 293 of those new cases were the daily cases that would've been reported Monday.
"Today’s dramatic increase in case counts should not cause undue alarm. As part of efforts to increase testing capacity in the county, many new labs responded to the emergency and are working with Public Health to ensure that they have the proper reporting systems in place. Until this reporting issue is resolved, there may be periodic increases in positive cases and total cases due to unevenness in daily reporting." Public Health wrote in a press release.
Ferrer said they hope to eliminate data logging errors in the future.
The county also reported an additional 17 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 617.
Of the newly reported deaths, 13 were individuals over the age of 65, 11 of which had underlying health conditions. Two individuals were between the ages of 41 and 65, one of which had underlying health conditions. One individual was between the ages of 18 and 40 with no known underlying health conditions. The data on the final death was not immediately available, Ferrer said.
The county saw its deadliest day yet in the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday, when officials announced 81 new deaths since the day prior.
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Why social distancing can save lives amid COVID-19 pandemic
Public Health continues to stress to the public that while a majority of those who have died from COVID-19 in the county had underlying health conditions, not everyone does. Residents are urged to continue to take the necessary precautions in order to protect themselves from the virus.
Health officials say that social distancing remains our best defense against the virus, and all residents are instructed to abide by current measures in place across the state. Social distancing is not only about preventing the illness itself, but rather, slowing the rate at which people get sick.
On April 3, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it would be recommending people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
The use of face coverings is believed to help slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus, without knowing it, from transmitting it to others.
The face coverings can be made at home from common materials at low cost, and the CDC has instructions on how to make them listed on its website.
RELATED: LA County extends safer-at-home order, business-closure orders to May 15
On April 10, the county extended its "safer-at-home" order until May 15. The health order now requires all residents in Los Angeles County to wear a face-covering when entering an essential business. It also requires all essential business employees to wear a face-covering if their work involves interacting with others.
RELATED: Face coverings required at L.A. County businesses starting Thursday
This comes as more evidence is emerging that coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms. Recently, the CDC changed how it was defining risk of infection for Americans, saying anyone may be a considered a carrier, whether they have symptoms or not.
RELATED: Asymptomatic coronavirus cases appear to be on the rise in China, report says
In accordance with new guidelines from the CDC, Public Health said that anyone who begins to experience symptoms must contact those they were in contact with up to 48 hours prior to having symptoms in order for them to self-isolate.
Public Health requests that anyone who experiences any symptoms of COVID-19 to self-isolate for the 14-day quarantine period in order to help slow the spread.
According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should call their healthcare provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
RELATED: CoronavirusNOW.com, FOX launches national hub for COVID-19 news and updates.
Public Health has issued the following guidance during this time of increased spread:
"If you are mildly sick, stay home for at least seven days or until 72 hours after being fever free, whichever is longer. Call your doctor if you are concerned and/or your symptoms worsen. Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick."
Click here for a list of locations of confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County.