For Immediate Release:

March 12, 2020

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed three new cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Two out of the three new cases have unidentified sources of exposure which is more evidence of community transmission.  One case is hospitalized, and one case was exposed by a close contact who attended the AIPAC conference in Washington DC. Social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of novel coronavirus.

Public Health is investigating these cases and will notify persons who may have had close personal contact with these individuals, including any friends, family members or health care professionals, to assess and monitor them for signs and symptoms of illness. All confirmed cases are being isolated and close contacts are quarantined.

The total number of cases in Los Angeles County is 32. These cases include four cases reported by our partners in the city of Long Beach, and one case reported by the city of Pasadena which have independent city health departments. These agencies will always be first to report their own positive cases, which Public Health will add to our total.

“Continued evidence of community transmission in LA County is growing, it is important we all, including businesses and organizations, do our part to slow the spread,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. “We fully support the Governor’s action to implement strategies that create social distance and reduce close contact of people not regularly together, including limiting gatherings. These strategies have been used effectively in prior pandemics to delay rates of transmission and reduce illness and death.”

Public Health recommends the following to protect themselves and others from respiratory illnesses:

• Avoid non-essential travel, public gatherings, and places where large groups of people congregate. Event organizers postpone or cancel non-essential gatherings of 250 or more until at least the end of March.
• Smaller events proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Limiting the gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (people older than 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic illness) to no more than 10 people.
• This guidance does not apply to activities such as attendance at regular school classes, work, or essential services.
• Certain activities are essential to the functioning of our state and must continue. Hence, this does not apply to essential public transportation, airport travel, or shopping at a store or mall.
• This does not apply to congregate living situations, including dormitories and homeless encampments. If you are mildly sick with a fever, stay home except to get medical care.
• Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick.
• Follow all social distancing recommendations issued by Public Health.

Additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on our website.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health http ://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
• California Department of Public Health https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
• LA County residents can also call 2-1-1

The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion. To learn more about Los Angeles County Public Health, please visit www.publichea lth.lacounty.gov , and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/l acounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lap ublichealth, facebook.co m/lapublichealth, instagra m.com/lapublichealth and youtube.com/ lapublichealth.

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