Culver City Resident Dies From Coronavirus

CULVER CITY, CA — A Culver City resident died from the new coronavirus, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The Culver City resident, who was older than 65, was the fifth person who died in Los Angeles County from the virus.

"We are deeply sorry for the passing of loved ones and send our prayers to the families and friends of those who have died from COVID-19," said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. "It is critical that everyone practices social distancing, obey the Safer at Home Health Officer Order and assume that anyone can have COVID-19, and anyone could unintentionally infect others. Please know that the actions you take today to stay 6 feet away from others and limit all non-essential activities outside your home are the best way for us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives."

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Los Angeles County this weekend saw its largest one-day jump yet in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 71 more patients and two more deaths reported.

Additionally, the city of Lynwood announced on Twitter Sunday that a female patient at St. Francis Hospital died of COVID-19. The patient's name was not immediately released. She was identified only as a woman who had come to the hospital feeling ill, and died shortly afterward.

The Department of Public Health has now identified 409 confirmed cases of COVID-19, across all areas of Los Angeles County.

The county's public health department issued a revised "Safer At Home" order Saturday, which officials said was a step below a lockdown or shelter-in-place requirement. The previous order prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people, but the revised wording simply prohibits "all indoor and outdoor public and private gatherings and events."

People who go out for shopping or essential jobs are required to remain at least six feet away from anyone else. Residents are still free to go outside for walks, hikes or bike rides, but not in large groups.

Saturday's enhanced order also clarified that golf courses and personal grooming services — including hair and nail salons — are nonessential services and are closed.

It requires "all indoor malls and shopping centers, all swap meets and flea markets, all indoor and outdoor playgrounds and all non-essential businesses to close."

Businesses considered essential and permitted to remain open include hardware stores, repair shops, media outlets, banks, laundromats, dry-cleaners and pet supply stores.

Officials said the order was amended to more closely mirror Gov. Gavin Newsom's latest state order. It covers all 88 cities in Los Angeles County, although officials in Pasadena and Long Beach — which have their own health departments — issued similar mandates of their own.

Prior to Sunday, the two most previously announced deaths also were over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions, according to the health department. One resided in Del Rey, the other in Miracle Mile, the department reported.

"The risk is spread across everybody who lives here in Los Angeles County," Ferrer said. "Younger people, while they may have a better outcome (from an infection) ... are in fact one of the largest groups of people that we have tested who are positive for COVID-19."

Health officials have stressed since the outbreak began that while older people, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women can suffer more severe consequences from contracting coronavirus, the threat of being diagnosed with the illness is spread across all age groups. And while younger patients may suffer lesser symptoms, they can still spread the illness to people who may become more severely ill.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Related Coverage:

Resources To Help Those In Need In LA County Amid Coronavirus

What You Need To Know About California's Lockdown Of Seniors And The Chronically Ill

California Coronavirus: Live Updates On Cases, Closures, Orders

City News Service contributed to this post