LA County Announces 4 New Coronavirus Deaths, Including a Minor

[additional-authors]

Aaron Bandler

March 24, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: People gather on a hiking trail in Griffith Park on March 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a ‘stay at home’ order for California’s 40 million residents in order to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Californians may still visit parks without violating Newsom’s order as long as they maintain social distancing and adhere to other public health measures related to the coronavirus. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti today urged Angelenos again to practice physical distancing after crowds were seen at some beaches and hiking trails this weekend. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced four new coronavirus deaths on March 24, including a minor.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the minor was under the age of 18; he reportedly lived in Lancaster. One of the other deaths was a Long Beach woman in her 50s who reportedly had underlying health conditions.

The current coronavirus death total in Los Angeles County is 11 and there are 662 confirmed cases in the county. Eighty percent of the cases are between the ages of 18 and 65 and 42% are between the ages of 18 and 40.

The public health department tweeted, “COVID-19 can infect people of all ages. Everyone, no matter their age, is #saferathome.”

COVID-19 can infect people of all ages. Everyone, no matter their age, is #saferathome. #COVID19 Find out more here: https://t.co/BLwWY6AQLg. pic.twitter.com/AsWipcAvNU

— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) March 24, 2020

Under the county’s shelter-in-place order, which lasts through April 19, residents are not allowed to engage in gatherings of any kind and all nonessential businesses are closed. Restaurants are allowed to provide takeout orders. People are also allowed to do outdoor exercise, so long as they stay at least 6 feet apart from one another.

However, L.A. City Councilman David Ryu called for the Runyon Canyon and Lake Hollywood parks to be closed on weekends.

“Closing Runyon Canyon Park on weekends, when we have seen the highest volume of visitors, should follow to keep everyone safe,” Ryu said.

Los Angeles City Council meetings throughout the rest of March have been canceled and schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are closed until May 1.