By Jorge Casuso

March 29, 2020 -- Thirteen new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Santa Monica this weekend, marking the biggest 48-hour spike since the first case was detected two weeks ago.

Of the 41 cases that have been confirmed in the beach city since March 17, ten were confirmed between noon Friday and noon Saturday, followed by another three on Sunday.

They were among the 671 new cases confirmed in Los Angeles County over the weekend, bringing the total number of cases to 2,136, according to data released by County health officials Sunday.

The death toll rose from 26 to 37 over the same period, County health officials said.

In the five deaths reported Friday, the deceased were all over the age of 60 who had underlying health conditions.

No details have been released concerning the 11 deaths reported Saturday and Sunday.

Since Thursday, County health officials have not reported where the deceased resided.

Of those who have tested positive, 453 have been hospitalized. There are 184 cases under investigation.

Santa Monica ranked fifth for the number of cases among LA County's 88 cities, behind Los Angeles with 1,020, Long Beach with 88, West Hollywood with 52 and Glendale with 46.

Two of the 140 designated areas within the City of Los Angeles exceeded Santa Monica's total -- the Melrose area with 71 cases and Hollywood with 44.

Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in three skilled nursing facilities -- in Redondo Beach, Hollywood and Burbank.

On Friday, the LA County Department of Public Health ordered the temporary closure of all public beaches, beach bike paths, public trails, and beach access points.

In Santa Monica, the beach, beach bike path and Ocean Front Walk have been closed.

“The beach is a regional resource, and we’re all part of the regional effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19," Mayor Kevin McKeown said in a statement Saturday.

"We can still get our exercise and fresh air while avoiding congregating in crowds and maintaining six feet of physical distance. Otherwise, we’re all safer at home.”

The order is effective through April 19.