LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County’s health officer said Thursday investigators are looking into reports of religious institutions continuing to hold indoor services despite coronavirus restrictions barring such gatherings, and he said violation notices will be issued to offenders.
Dr. Muntu Davis, speaking to reporters in an online news briefing, stressed that large gatherings are generally barred under coronavirus health orders, but there are exceptions allowing outdoor church services and political protests — as long as attendees wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
“Unfortunately we’ve heard reports of some faith organizations operating outside of those health and safety requirements,” Davis said. “From a health and safety perspective this is of great concern given the large number of COVID-19 cases that continue to be diagnosed in Los Angeles County. I want to express my gratitude to those organizations that are adhering to the health officer order and who have found ways to worship that do not put the wider community and their congregation at risk.
“… For those (violators) for which we are aware of and are able to confirm, we will send a notice of violation requesting their adherence,” Davis said. “… We’re hoping that institutions that are in violation of the health officer order will follow the example of so many other faith institutions who hold their services outdoors with safety protocols in place. Holding indoor services for dozens or hundreds of people during this pandemic, not only are they putting the health and safety of their congregants at risk, but they’re also endangering the community at large.”
Davis referenced a March choir practice in Washington state that led to 87% of the attendees becoming infected with the virus, and two people dying.
“Certainly nobody wants a celebration of their faith or love of God to lead to such a tragic outcome,” he said.
Davis also urged residents to sign up for an ongoing text-message-based survey designed to track residents’ health. The system sends participants occasional inquiries about how they are feeling and if they are displaying any symptoms of the virus, in an effort to track health trends. Davis said more than 8,300 people have already signed up for the program.
To register, text @protect to 35134.
On Thursday, Los Angeles County reported another 41 deaths due to COVID-19 and 2,628 new cases.
To date (July 30), Public Health has identified 185,872 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 4,552 deaths due to the virus in all areas of Los Angeles County, including 2,450 coronavirus cases and 31 deaths in Palmdale; 2,020 cases and 27 deaths in Lancaster; 118 cases and 10 deaths in Quartz Hill; 132 cases and two deaths in Lake Los Angeles; 109 cases and no deaths in the Littlerock/Pearblossom, Juniper Hills areas; and 94 cases and one death in Sun Village. View the latest detailed report here.
Despite the large numbers of cases and deaths reported this week, health officials offered a generally positive portrayal of key statistics in recent days. Davis said the county’s seven-day average positivity rate had dropped to around 8.2%, which is down from double-digit levels earlier this month but still above the state standard of 8%. New hospital admissions have also been leveling off, but there have still consistently been more than 2,000 people a day hospitalized due to the virus.
As of Thursday, there were 2,022 people hospitalized due to coronavirus, according to the county.
Ferrer said the availability of intensive care unit beds and ventilators has been holding steady since April.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, the county’s health services director, also reported positive news Wednesday in terms of the rate of transmission of the virus, or the average number of people a coronavirus-positive patient infects. As of Wednesday, that average was 0.92, below the benchmark of 1.
Ghaly said the lowering of that average and the slowing of new hospital admissions coincides with the tightening of health orders earlier this month, and continued adherence to infection-control measures is critical to continue the trends.
“This is good news but one that we need to treat with caution and maintain those behaviors,” Ghaly said.
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John Evans says
Claire and Really, you don’t know who Bill Bryan is but you’re willing to call him corrupt. You don’t know what a virus half-life is but you’re educated. President Trump gave many a platform to address you, and you only listened to what confirmed your biases. I’m not sure you’re not bots. But what I am sure of is that both of you aren’t as clever as you think you are. So I suppose you’re against schools opening, contrary to the learned opinion of Dr Redfield. Yeah, you two don’t know who that is either. He only testified before the House last Friday. Try to keep up.
Really says
John; Evidence submitted by a whistleblower that William Bryan abused his government position with energy consulting work in Ukraine. Evidence showing a ‘substantial likelihood of wrongdoing.’ It doesn’t matter to Trump. “Exposing systemic corruption among our elite?” Trump empties the prisons of the corrupt elite by pardoning his pals. You like to argue based on falsehood you call facts.
John Evans says
You mean a “Whistleblower” like Col. Vindman? Or is it a secret whistleblower that only Adam Schiff knows about? Address the science if you dare….. And as to Ukraine and corruption, where’s Hunter? And though you hope we all ignore it, Biden is on “tape” bragging about his extortion of Ukranian officials to stop an investigation into Burisma. The corrupt energy company that Hunter Biden, with his vast knowledge of cocaine addiction, was a board member of. And lastly, did you know then Vice President Biden and Hunter are related? No, I didn’t think you did.
John Evans says
So I read the article from The New York times in Oct. 2018. The allegations had been looked at by Mueller’s thugs and there’s no there there. Sorry, you still are left with the science. Again, nice misdirection, but easily dismissed.
Trump is as rooked as they come. says
Picture kids riding in the backseat of the car that their Trumpist dad is driving.
“Are we great yet? Are we great yet?”
John Evans says
So what don’t you like? Best economy ever before China launched their virus. Lowest unemployment rates across the board ever before China inflicted the virus on the world. America first. Seeking to secure pharmaceutical supply chains. Exposure of two-tiered privileged justice system designed to control individual liberty. Emphasizing the Bill of Rights for all citizens. Stemming human trafficking. Honoring first responders and the military always. Bringing manufacturing well paying jobs back to America. The USMCA trade agreement that benefits all parties. Lower drug rates. Fairer federal sentences for crimes. Demanding NATO countries pay their fair agreed to share. Destroying the ISIS Caliphate. Stopping North Korean missile aggression. Reducing opioid addiction. Fixing the V A. Exposing corruption in the State Department through foreign aid contracts. Exposing systemic corruption among our “elite”….. The only reason to be pissed off is if your corruption is being exposed. For those who are grateful we were born in the USA, we’re good.
Really says
John Evans: I won’t go through every thing you mentioned because I’m still amazed that you really don’t know the truth. How you have managed to separate the truth from the lies Trump is telling, John Evans, is stunning, since he’s told a whopping 20,000 plus lies since he has been president. Trump knows how to control the weak minded that don’t or won’t see through his evil deceptions.
Really says
No, I’m not a liberal, John Evans. Everything you brought up in your comment is false because there are no degrees of truth.
John Evans says
Really, come now….really? You won’t go through…anything… I mentioned because you can’t handle the truth. Let’s start with one premise about life, you earn what you get. What have you earned that’s sent you so far astray? I give you facts that the propaganda merchants you cling to won’t mention (intentional ignorance and group think). Your propaganda fed insinuation presumes I am weak minded, when you are apparently too fragile to escape your bubble and learn. And your cherry on top is that I am under the control of “Trump”. Open your bubble and read. Don’ t spout off nonsense, read. Read, think and learn. Life is much better when you honestly question everything. Or, you may stay in your bliss.
Really says
Yes, you are weak minded! I won’t go through pointing out your lies because you aren’t capable of critical thinking. You have been groomed by Trump who is a ‘snake oil salesman’ supreme, and you love eating the soup of self-deception.
Really says
Trump tramples all over the Bill of Rights. You need to be tutored but you’re not teachable.
Really says
John Evans; “stemming human trafficking?” Trumps very close ties with now deceased Epstein and now jailed Maxwell involved in human trafficking for decades, tells us otherwise.
John Evans says
Otherwise. The documents released over the fast few days show no allegations against President Trump but a busload against prominent Democrats. And by the way Really, your responses clearly show you’re source material comes from CNN and The Washington Post. Yeah, you’re impartial,….. NOT.
Robert says
It’s obvious to anyone that isn’t a total moron that the virus has been hijacked for political means.
People are tired of it.
John Evans says
The continuing challenge with county orders is they’re constantly at odds with science and facts. 1.) masks outdoors in sunlight (uv light) is dumb, and only the uneducated and control freaks think it matters. 2.) masks only matter at all indoors, and only if people are unable to maintain distancing. Masks plus distance equal silly. 3.) due to fraudulent reporting half the country thinks children infect adults, yet nowhere on earth, that’s earth people, is this true (prove me wrong). 4.) health officials are political appointees, they have social/political agendas or they wouldn’t have been appointed, and this is most emphatically true in lefty municipalities, that’s why they refuse to provide clarity. 5.) per the Centers for Disease Control the epidemic ended in May. Deaths from the combination of influenza, pneumonia and the Wuhan lab virus in 2020 is not and has not been greater than the combined deaths for influenza and pneumonia alone in 2012-2019 for more than 11 weeks (google it). We can open up and be safe but lefty bureaucrat control freaks are too dishonest and political to tell the truth. They’re also form over substance functionaries, if they weren’t these health directors, councils, mayors and governors would have cleaned the filth from the streets back in March. It’s not about the Wuhan lab virus. Vote!
Front line worker says
John Evans: I’m not political, so your opinion is just that. When you enter private property, and the rule is that you are to wear your face mask, please do so, or don’t enter said private property. Please don’t start filming others calling people control freaks, sheeples, etc., or you will be filming yourself being escorted out of the private property by me or someone else. Have a pleasant day.
John Evans says
I gave you facts, you gave me opinion. As to not being political, what else do you call ignoring the facts to support a biased opinion? And please don’t hide behind the front line worker trope. Nice try.
Stinger says
John Evans: Your ‘facts’ are mostly alternative, with some serious twisting added in, for good measure. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Please present links to peer reviewed articles confirming your assertions for 1 and 2. As for # 3, you clearly don’t have kids. #4, is irrelevant to the evidence presented about how the virus spreads, political appointees or not. #5 does not line up with the same and has been altered at the insistence of Trump and his political hacks to reflect an inaccurate description.
John Evans says
Facts are facts. Apparently you missed Bill Bryan’s April 23 science presentation from the White House regarding covid-19 half-life in various environments. It’s available. Watch and learn. The peer reviewed canard is a dodge for laziness. You can google any of my assertions and read numerous articles by medical experts. The fact that you haven’t and instead rely on a rhetorical device shows you’re not serious about conveying honest information. Classic argument in 15 second soundbites is propaganda and a disservice to persons who are wanting to be honestly informed. I have a child and parents and also have been reading many medical professional’s writings of how the Wuhan virus reacts with a child’s immune system. As you must know this virus, unlike a routine influenza, is dangerous primarily to the elderly as opposed to the very young and very old. This fact is why countries like Germany opened their schools in May. Google Reinhard Berner from the University Hospital of Dresden for an update from 2 weeks ago. You avoid the issue of political hacks obfuscating facts in my 4th point. Then designate the CDC as Trump’s political hacks. Stinger, you overplayed your hand and highlighted your political bias. You have no sting.
Claire says
John Evans…The corrupt Bill Bryan along with the corrupt Trump is where you get lies and then pass them off as facts. I watched and I learned how deceptive information can be passed around until people like you call them hard facts.
Stinger says
Yes, John Evans, facts are facts here among we in reality. You, on the other hand, engage in ‘alternative facts,’ which are simply not facts for those not infected with the trumplican virus. I do my Googling via scholar and am very careful with the results even then to ensure peer reviewing has had a chance to catch mistakes. I would suggest that you do the same, but I suspect that the (admittedly) very dry reading will confuse and bore you.
For me, the news media (both sides of the aisle) are subject to bias and spin; sometimes for mostly political reasons (Fox, AON, etc. – and their culture of fear) and others for more financial reasons (CNN, CNBC, etc. – and their culture of fear).
As for your creamed tan charlatan in chief, I have learned that when it comes to anything that mango moron says, is to consider anything he says to be opposite of reality. To wit; if it is about anything factual, his words are simply false and if it is about anything criminal, anything he accuses anyone of doing, he, himself, is already doing. Following these guidelines, I have found a 0% error rate.
I’d say enjoy the election, but I don’t think you’re gonna like the results… No matter which way it comes out.
give me a break says
Will they be allowed to hold indoor funeral services for the members who die?