Only 1 coronavirus death reported in LA County for first time since October

In the latest example of the pandemic appearing to ease its grip on Los Angeles County, public health officials reported only one new death from the coronavirus Monday, April 5.

L.A. County hit this milestone for the first time since October 19, 2020. The second-lowest daily death count this year was two on March 15. The new death lifted the county’s overall death toll to 23,276.

Another 366 cases were reported by the county, raising the cumulative total from throughout the pandemic to 1,222,447.

Public health officials, however, cautioned that the update was likely impacted by delays in reporting caused by scaled-down weekend record-keeping.

The person who died, according to Monday’s report, was between 50 and 64 years old and had underlying health conditions.

As of last week, residents 50 to 64 years old are eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. On April 15, that will expand to everyone older than 16.

Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer also noted Monday that hospitals around the county are “just now getting much needed relief” from clamoring to provide resources for an overwhelming patient demand.

According to state figures, there were 568 people hospitalized due to COVID in the county as of Monday, down from 591 on Sunday. There were 144 people in intensive care, down from 151 on Sunday.

City News Service contributed to this report