The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today reports 1,003 newly confirmed COVID-19 infections in L.A. County and 64 virus-related deaths. The Health Department said the relatively low number of cases reflects in part the fact that a large lab has not yet shared its testing results.
That and other ongoing problems with the State of California’s electronic lab reporting system mean that the Health Department’s daily reports on COVID-19 infections don’t necessarily offer a true picture of the overall spread of the virus. But there is encouraging data of another sort — the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 illnesses.
“In the last month, daily hospitalizations have decreased by 37%, from 2,219 in mid-July to 1,388 in mid-August,” the Health Department said it today’s COVID-19 report. “There are 1,352 confirmed cases currently hospitalized and 32% of these people are confirmed cases in the ICU. The decreasing number of daily hospitalizations is one of the best indicators that our efforts over the last few weeks are working, as it is an accurate representation of how many people are currently seriously ill from the virus.”
As of today there have been a total of 470 confirmed COVID-19 infections in West Hollywood, an increase of two from yesterday’s count. That means one of every 77 West Hollywood residents has been confirmed to have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. The number of WeHo residents who have died of COVID-19 related illnesses is now six, an increase of one from yesterday’s count.
In Beverly Hills, the number of confirmed infections has increased by one to 580. The number of COVID-19 related deaths in Beverly Hills remains at 10. There was no new COVID-19 infection confirmed among Culver City residents, leaving the count there at 352. The number of deaths remains at 29. Hollywood has two newly confirmed infections, bringing its total to date is 982. The number of deaths remains at nine. The Melrose neighborhood has four new confirmed infections, leaving its total at 1,627. The number of COVID-19 related deaths is 58.
Maps produced by Crosstown LA, a non-profit news organization that covers the Los Angeles area using data, illustrate that West Hollywood is in a relatively better place than its neighboring cities and communities when it comes to the COVID-19 infection rate. While West Hollywood has 1,292.56 infections per 100,000 people, Beverly Hills has 1,687.37 infections per 100,000 residents. Culver City has 968.71 per 100,000 residents. It has had many more COVID-19-related deaths than has West Hollywood or Beverly Hills, but many of those 29 death have been among people in nursing homes or other care facilities.
The Fairfax neighborhood has dramatically more infections per population, with 11,783.9 per 100,000 residents as of today. The Carthay neighborhood, which on the Crosstown LA map includes what some would consider the Melrose neighborhood, has 5,289.44 infections per 100,000 residents. Hancock Park has a slightly higher infection rate than does West Hollywood, with 1,819.74 infections per 100,000. Larchmont stands out with no cases reported.
Public Health has a dedicated call line for confirmed cases of COVID-19. If you are positive for COVID-19 and have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services, call toll-free at 1 (833) 540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 can continue to call 211 for resources or more information.
As noted before, one way the virus can be transmitted is through a cough, a sneeze or even through air that comes from the mouth when someone talks. For that reason, residents must wear face coverings when out in public and can be cited for not doing so. The citations come with a $250 fine and a $50 administrative fee.
West Hollywood residents with questions about the COVID-19 pandemic or who are looking for resources to deal with it can find answers on the City of West Hollywood’s website. Here is a list of links to sections about particular subjects and issues:
Beverly Hills: 1,687.37 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map) 
Carthay: 5,289.44 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map) 
Culver City: 968.71 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map) 
Fairfax: 11,783.90 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map) 
Hancock Park: 1,819.74 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map) 
Hollywood: 1,372.24 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map) 
Larchmont: No cases reported (Crosstown LA map) 
Mid-Wilshire: 1,179.18 / 100,000 (Crosstown LA map)
Wow, what do you walk around with a flashlight checking everybody out? Considering the heat, you’re lucky anyone is wearing masks anyway. A lot of people just have problems breathing that’s why they’re not covering their nose. Plus, if you have breathing problems you don’t even have to wear a mask. But with you around, the mask police force, that’s good enough reason not to shop at that trader Joe’s.
The article provides some relative good news re COVID-19 in West Hollywood. Unfortunately I just returned from the Trader Joe’s on Westmount Dr. (7pm Tuesday 8.18) with a less positive sense. I noted multiple customers with their noses uncovered. I nicely asked the first and she covered. The next two started laughing and did not act. The captain on duty would not say anything to them and personally rang them up, followed by the next customer whose nose was also totally uncovered. The manager at the entrance said corporate policy ties their hands from doing anything other than asking to… Read more »
A bit of good news…
Within two hours of leaving a message for West Hollywood Code Compliance at 323.848.6516 I heard back from Tony from that division. He was empathetic and said he would follow up with Trader Joe’s tomorrow- he is a credit to his department!