L.A. Public Health released data showing that a majority of people who died, or were hospitalized with COVID-19 had hypertension as an underlying medical condition.

Hypertension was the most common link in severe cases of COVID-19, with 66% of those hospitalized and 52% of those who died also had high blood pressure.

Behind hypertension was diabetes, being found in 41% of those who died and 42% in those who were hospitalized with COVID-19.

People who live with chronic illnesses suffer the worst outcomes of COVID-19 infection, L.A. Public Health said in a press release. These numbers should remind us of the importance of ensuring equitable access to preventive healthcare and the other resources that reduce people's vulnerability to this virus.

After seeing a gradual drop in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, the number went up from 471 on April 13, to 493 on Wednesday.