The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) reports COVID-19 has killed more than 3,400 people in the first six months of this year, making it on track to be the second leading cause of death in L.A. County.
From January to June of last year, coronary heart disease was the top cause of death, with nearly 6,000 deaths attributed to it. It appears that COVID-19, with over 3,400 deaths during the same time period, is on track to claim more lives in Los Angeles County than any disease except coronary heart disease—killing more people than Alzheimer’s Disease, other kinds of heart disease, stroke and COPD.
In comparison, influenza killed 1,521 people during the 2019 flu season from October to May.
“The only way for us to continue our recovery journey is to see lower rates of community transmission,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health. “Our actions as individuals, business owners and business operators to take the necessary steps that protect each other, workers and customers require adherence to infection control and distancing directives. Businesses need to immediately alert us when there is an outbreak. This is what is needed to get our children back to their schools and to get more of our community members back to work.”
