By Jorge Casuso

April 6, 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Santa Monica held steady this week, while Los Angeles County saw a steep drop in the number of deaths -- from 28 on Saturday to 15 on Sunday.

The three new cases reported in Santa Monica Sunday bring the total for the week to 27 and the overall total to 68.

The other 41 cases were reported between March 17 and March 29, with 17 of the cases confirmed on Friday and Saturday a week ago, according to County data.

LA County health officials confirmed 663 new cases on Sunday, down from a record high 711 cases the previous day, health officials reported.

To date, there has been a total of 5,940 cases confirmed in LA County, which has a population of more than 10 million.

The drop -- and Santa Monica's flattening curve -- come as the County boosts the number of people being tested -- from nearly 29,000 as of Saturday to nearly 31,000 Sunday.

Of those, 14 percent have tested positive. Of the positive cases, 1,257 people -- 21 percent -- have been hospitalized.

To date, the 132 persons who have died are predominantly older than 65 -- 75 percent -- and have underlying health conditions -- 85 percent, according to the County data.

Of the 15 new deaths reported Sunday, 11 of the deceased had underlying health conditions and ten were over the age of 65, health officials said.

"If you are elderly, have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, please make sure you are staying home at all times and allowing others to shop for your essential goods," said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Friends, families and neighbors of those who are most at risk should call and check in and, when possible, "safely drop off any supplies they may need while keeping (their) distance," Ferrer said.

Ferrer again warned there will be "some very difficult days ahead."

A "significant number" of those infected show no signs of symptoms and are "capable of spreading the virus," health officials said.

"Now is the time for all of us to redouble our physical distancing efforts," Ferrer said.