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LA County Continues To See Surge With 5,014 Additional Cases Of COVID-19 As Countdown To New Restrictions Begins

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) -- Los Angeles County Sunday continued to see a surge in the number of new coronavirus cases, according to public health officials, as the county prepares to enact its new Safer-At-Home order.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said there were 5,014 new COVID-19 cases and 16 new deaths, bringing the county's total to date of confirmed cases to 395,843, as leading health expert Dr. Anthony Fauci issued a dire warning saying we could see a "surge upon a surge."

In addition, public health officials said 2,049 people were currently hospitalized with COVID-19, of which 24 percent were in intensive-care units.

To date, more than 3,712,000 individuals tested; 10% of all people have tested positive, officials said.

The surge in cases has resulted in the county enacting a stricter health order, which is scheduled to take effect Monday.

The new order, which will last through at least Dec. 20, advises residents to stay at home as much as possible, always wear a face-covering outside the home, and prohibits all public and private gatherings except for constitutionally-protected religious services and protests.

Several businesses will be impacted including essential retail, which will be limited to 35% maximum capacity.

Non-essential businesses and activities like outdoor playgrounds and cardrooms will also be closed.

Non-essential retail, like malls, will be kept at 20% maximum occupancy; and the outdoor operations of fitness centers, museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, mini-golf, batting cages and go-kart racing will be set at 50% capacity.

Beaches, trails, parks, golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball, skate parks, bike parks and community parks will remain open, but gatherings of mixed households will be prohibited.

All schools and day camps may remain open if they adhere to reopening protocols, but schools with three positive COVID-19 cases or more over 14 days must close for two weeks.

Best practices, experts say, is to wear a mask and keep at least six feet physical distance from others.

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