Long Beach COVID-19 Numbers Continue To Surge

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(December 17, 2020, 8:50 a.m.) -- As displayed on LBREPORT.com's front page COVID-19 dashboard, City of Long Beach Dec. 16 data show the City's seven day (smoothed) positivity rate (percentage of tests coming out positive) has risen to 12.4% from 12.1%, 11.5%, 10,7%, 10.2%, 9.9%, 9.3%, 7.25%, 6.8%, and 6.4% in preceding 7 day positivity rates (percentage of tests showing positive, smoothed over 7 days.)

The seven day case rate per 100,000 population has risen to 95.4 from 88.7, 81.1, 74.1, 68.3, 50.3, 46.5, 39.8, and 36.7 in preceding reports Total LB deaths 306 up from 302, 295, 290.) (City statement adds: "Due to a data processing delay at the State level, today’s (Dec. 15) new case count includes a portion of backlogged cases from last week.".

City statement says four public-facing LBPD employees have tested positive for COVID-19, including:four employees assigned to South Division (last at work between Dec. 9, 10, 11 and 14.)

The City has acknowledged that three public-facing LBFD employees have tested positive for COVID-19 (last at work between Dec. 10-11) including:employees at Stations 15 and 6 and another at LBFD HQ and a public-facing employee from LB's Parks, Recreation and Marine Maintenance Operations Bureau has tested positive for COVID-19 (last at work Dec. 11.)

As of dawn Dec. 17, LBUSD's COVID-19 dashboard indicates that since Sept. 1, LBUSD has had 149 total confirmed cases at its limited K-5 sites comprised of 105 LBUSD employees, 32 students and 17 vendors/visitors.

LA County Health Officer Barbara Ferrer (jurisdiction doesn't include Long Beach) said on Dec. 16: "We have the most difficult road in front of us and the virus is rampant in our neighborhoods. Every hour, on average, two of our neighbors, family members and friends are dying from COVID-19. The most important way we get through these hard times is for everyone to stay home as much as possible and only go out for work, exercise or for essential services. When you must leave your home, always wear a face covering and stay at least 6 feet away from people you do not live with. Please cancel holiday plans that involve travel or gathering with friends and family that are not part of your household. Unless we remain more diligent through the holidays - and beyond -- we will not be able to stop the surge and provide essential relief to our hospitals and healthcare workers."

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