As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases rapidly increased in Los Angeles, hospitals in the county are now struggling to cope with the number of patients they're getting, while the undocumented immigrants continue to find it hard to survive this pandemic.

COVID-19 Outbreak
(Photo : Reuters Connect)

The number of infections in LA has been very alarming in the past few days. For three straight days, the county recorded over 2,100 infections. Now, county officials are very worried that it might worsen due to the Fourth of July. 

Local health officials had indefinitely ban indoor dining in restaurants. Beaches and museums have been closed. Additionally, people inside gyms have been mandated to wear masks.

It can be remembered that the county paused all their economic activities last March, following the declaration of a pandemic. However, people protested in the streets in May, following the death of George Floyd. At that time, businesses have started to reopen.  

Hospitalizations in LA 

According to a published report of The Guardian, COVID-19 related hospitalizations in LA has increased to 56 percent. A surge of virus infections has also been recorded in neighboring counties. 

Experts in the county expressed worry that LA could run out of hospital beds at intensive care units. It was also reported that COVID-19 testings have been delayed despite the rise of infections in the county. This means that the increased of COVID-19 cases in hospitals was not because of the test results.

Local officials have blamed family gatherings, parties, massive protests due to police brutality in the spread of the virus. However, epidemiologists said that outdoor transmission was very rare and there was no proof that the massive protest could be linked to the surge of infections.

Until now, there is no clear explanation on the rise of COVID-19 infections in the county that has already reached over 100,000 with a death toll of 3,000, according to Los Angeles Times. These numbers are half of California's coronavirus cases.

Unemployment and Undocumented Immigrants are Disproportionately Affected

Meanwhile, human rights and labor groups warned that inequality for equal access to jobs in the county is becoming severe. Partial and uncertain reopening plans have forced undocumented immigrants to return to their dangerous jobs. 

"This is the explosion we warned about," said Andrew Noymer, associate professor of public health at the University of California, Irvine. He also added that there's "a lot moving in the wrong direction."

Neighboring Counties Pause Reopening Plans

The spike of COVID-19 infections in LA has led the neighboring counties to pause their reopening plans. Orange County has recorded an increase of coronavirus deaths from homeless people, according to a published article in Voice of OC.

Officials speculated that the rise in COVID-19 deaths could be due to the loss of services and supports during the lockdown. 

LA is the home of one-third of California's undocumented immigrants. Most of them are categorized as essential workers like farmers, grocery employees, house helpers, and more. 

The infection among the undocumented immigrants is very high because most of them live in overcrowded places and they return to jobs, where contracting the virus is high.