A woman who died at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center earlier this week after testing positive for COVID-19 had been staying at a home in Walnut with her family, officials said Thursday.
The woman, who was described as being in her 60s and an extensive traveler with a recent layover in South Korea, was treated at the hospital’s emergency department on Monday and was in “full cardiac arrest” when she arrived, the hospital said in a statement.
Officials said the woman is not an L.A. County resident, but was in the city of Walnut visiting family members.
“The individual did not travel within the city of Walnut. She traveled extensively abroad, but when coming to the city of Walnut she primarily stayed at the residence and was not out and about in the community,” Walnut Mayor Andrew Rodriguez told KTLA.
Hospital staff provided “lifesaving care to stabilize her condition,” but the woman died shortly after being admitted to the hospital “due to complications from their illness.”
Pomona Valley Hospital identified all staff who cared for and made contact with the woman, and officials said while they understand people are “anxious” about potential exposure to the novel coronavirus, the risk of exposure to patients and their families from this case is “low.”
A sheriff’s official told KTLA the first responders who provided medical attention to the woman, as well as her family in Walnut, are now under self-quarantine as a precautionary measure.
The county Fire Department personnel are “undergoing active monitoring at home” but are free of symptoms, the department said in a statement.
“Public Health extends our deepest condolences to the patient’s loved ones in the wake of this tragedy,” said Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director. “We strongly recommend that all Los Angeles County residents, workers, students, and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against novel coronavirus.”
There are a total of 32 coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County, including one in Pasadena and four in Long Beach, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported at a news conference on Thursday.