County reports more all-time highs

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials announced a record-breaking number of daily COVID-19 cases, as well as hospitalizations, Thursday amid an ongoing surge.

More than 7,800 COVID-19 cases were reported Thursday, while there were more than 2,500 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, per Public Health officials.

Public Health officials reported multiple all-time highs this week, including the highest daily number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic Tuesday and then again Thursday, as well as the highest number of hospitalizations for three consecutive days. Countywide, hospitalizations have increased 94% in the past two weeks, a figure being mirrored statewide.

“I can’t emphasize this

enough: Everyone must take personal steps to protect themselves from getting and spreading this virus to others,” L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said during Public Health’s media briefing Thursday. “Actions need to be taken now and on a daily basis. As the daily cases reported remain high, so are risks for getting infection in the community.”

On Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new regional stay-at-home order, set to take effect only when the available ICU capacity in a region drops below 15%.

The regional order mirrors the modified “Safer at Home” order that went into effect Monday in L.A. County, though with a few more restrictions, including the closure of personal care services, hair salons, barbershops and campgrounds for overnight stays.

Public Health officials also adjusted the total number of deaths in the Santa Clarita Valley to 80, a figure the county occasionally revises upon further investigation of each case.

L.A. County Public Health officials also released the following updated COVID-19 statistics Thursday:

■ Countywide COVID-19 cases reported in the past 24 hours: 7,854

■ Total COVID-19 cases in L. A. County: 421,881

■ New deaths related to COVID-19 reported in the past 24 hours: 44

■ Total COVID-19 deaths in L. A. County: 7,782

■ Hospitalizations countywide: 2,572, 23% of whom are in the ICU

■ Hospitalizations at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital as of Dec. 2: 52, with 414 discharged since the onset of the pandemic

■ COVID-19 cases reported in the Santa Clarita Valley in the past 24 hours: 157

■ Total COVID-19 cases in the SCV: 10,181

■ Total COVID-19 deaths in the SCV: 80

The number of SCV cases, including all area health care providers’ daily figures and those at Pitchess Detention Center, broken down into region, are as follows:

■ City of Santa Clarita: 6,635

■ Unincorporated — Acton: 126

■ Unincorporated — Agua Dulce: 63

■ Unincorporated — Bouquet Canyon: 16

■ Unincorporated — Canyon Country: 257

■ Unincorporated — Castaic: 2,448 (majority of Castaic cases come from Pitchess Detention Center; exact number unavailable)

■ Unincorporated — Lake Hughes: 12

■ Unincorporated — Newhall: 36

■ Unincorporated — Placerita Canyon: 0

■ Unincorporated — San Francisquito Canyon/ Bouquet Canyon: 3

■ Unincorporated — Sand Canyon: 7

■ Unincorporated — Saugus: 51

■ Unincorporated — Saugus/ Canyon Country: 15

■ Unincorporated — Stevenson Ranch: 327

■ Unincorporated — Val Verde: 123

■ Unincorporated — Valencia: 65