The Los Angeles Post

LA COUNTY REMINDS RESIDENTS OF TESTING ACCESS AND TO MAINTAIN ROUTINE IMMUNIZATIONS DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

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Los Angeles, CA (Thursday, April 30, 2020)—As LA County’s communities of color remain the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, communities of color in Los Angeles County are at a higher risk for exposure to the virus because many cannot work from home, cannot afford to miss a day of work, and often have jobs that require interacting with large numbers of people. Communities of color are on the frontlines of this pandemic: they work in health care, agriculture, transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, delivery services, and many other fields that make our country strong.

As of this afternoon, the Department of Public Health had identified 23,182 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County, and a total of 1,111 deaths.

  • Race and ethnicity are so far available for 99% those who died:
    • 38% of deaths occurred among Latinx residents,
    • 28% among White residents,
    • 19% among Asian residents,
    • 13% among African American residents,
    • 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents,
    • and 1% among residents identifying with other races.

“Many of our hardest working families are either uninsured or underinsured and do not normally seek access to health care, which is why increasing access to COVID-19 testing sites remains one of my top priorities,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “We know that widespread testing will help flatten the curve. In addition, preliminary demographic data has revealed that LA County’s communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. I have worked diligently to remove barriers to testing and to expand access in diverse socioeconomic communities. I’m pleased all essential workers regardless of symptoms can be tested. That includes our first responders, healthcare professionals, grocery workers, and critical government workers. Asymptomatic individuals who are either over 65 or have chronic underlying health conditions can also be tested. For all LA County residents being tested for COVID-19, immigration status and health insurance are never requested or taken into account.”

There are now 35 drive-up testing sites throughout LA County. They are safe, free, and do not require proof of medical insurance. If you have symptoms such as difficulty breathing or a high fever, or are a first responder, please make an appointment at the website covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or dial 2-1-1 to find a neighborhood testing site near you. You must have an appointment for a test, but there are many time slots available—including same-day, or next-day appointments.

There are also resources for people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, but do not have health insurance. If you are having difficulty breathing or have a high fever, you can dial 2-1-1 to find a neighborhood clinic near you. You may also qualify for My Health LA, a free health care program with a network of more than 200 community clinics for low-income LA County residents who are 26 years or older. Undocumented immigrants qualify for My Health LA. Call 844-744-6452 for information on how to enroll.

Supervisor Solis also reminds L.A. County families that a healthy start in life begins with getting immunized to prevent diseases. Starting, and staying, on schedule with recommended immunizations protects our children from diseases that can spread easily and that can cause serious health problems, especially during this public health crisis.

To ensure the care of our newborns and young children, we ask that families keep up with child immunizations for preventable diseases like hepatitis B, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and whooping cough. L.A. County doctors and healthcare providers are taking steps to make sure their clinics and offices are safe spaces where families can bring their children in for their immunizations.

The priority is newborn care and the immunizations of infants and young children (through 24 months). We also ask that everyone – including teenagers and adults – continue with routine immunizations. Call your provider to learn how they have modified their spaces and their schedules in order to bring children in for their immunizations. As always, visit covid19.lacounty.gov or dial 2-1-1 for more assistance.