Los Angeles County Large-Scale Vaccination Sites Open; Vaccine Eligibility Opens to County Residents Aged 65 Years and Older

Public Health Reports 186 New Deaths and 7,902 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Public Health continues ramping up capacity to complete vaccinations for eligible priority groups identified by the CDC with more specific guidance provided by the State. This includes the launch of five new large-scale vaccination sites that began operation today and adding several more pharmacies and health care clinics. Vaccinations are currently available by appointment for those in phase 1A and county residents aged 65 years and older.

The vaccine supply is still extremely limited, and Public Health urges patience as we work urgently with our federal and state partners to expand capacity and supply in the weeks ahead.

The five sites, which were chosen for their regional accessibility and their ability to handle large capacities of people, are:

• Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768
• The Forum, 3900 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305
• California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330
• A. County Office of Education, 12830 Columbia Way, Downey, CA 90242
• Six Flags Magic Mountain, 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355

These large-scale vaccination sites will be able to vaccinate approximately 4,000 people per day at each site, significantly increasing the number of frontline healthcare workers vaccinated. Vaccinations are free, and available to all who are currently eligible, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage. For those who have insurance, coverage information may be requested as part of the appointment scheduling process.

Additionally, Los Angeles County residents who are 65 years old and older are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Residents in this high-priority age group may receive a communication from their health care provider with information about COVID-19 vaccinations and how to receive one. They can also visit VaccinateLACounty.com to schedule an appointment for vaccination. For those without access to a computer or the internet, a call center will be open to help schedule appointments at 833-540-0473, daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to use the website whenever possible to sign up for an appointment to avoid long wait times on the phone.

Public Health will host a COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Town Hall tonight, January 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join the town hall to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, how it was developed, where it will be distributed in our communities, and when it will be made available to the general public. The town hall will be streamed live on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @lapublichealth. For more information and to submit a question, visit: http://tinyurl.com/askcovidtownhall.

As of today, more than 348,000 vaccinations have been administered. More than 271,000 first doses and more than 77,000 second doses have been administered. For the amount of vaccine currently in hand in Los Angeles County, Public Health has used 58 percent of the first doses and about 35 percent of the doses designated for 2nd doses. This is better than the national average.

Public Health is pleased to report 335 of 340 (nearly 99%) of all skilled nursing facilities in the County received and administered their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Nearly 39,000 doses have been administered to staff and residents. The remaining facilities are currently vaccinating or are scheduling vaccinations this week. Additionally, for facilities that completed their first doses, Public Health is supporting distribution and administration of their second doses of vaccine.

Today, Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 186 new deaths and 7,902 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. The number of new cases and deaths reported today reflects a reporting lag from over the weekend and holiday yesterday. To date, Public Health has identified 1,031,874 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 14,122 deaths.

“The loss and devastation from COVID-19 is being felt by many of L.A. County residents; we mourn with you and wish you peace during this extremely difficult time,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “After an exhausting, year-long battle with this highly contagious and deadly virus, we now have a vaccine that is safe, effective and will save lives. The vaccines also do more than protect the person getting vaccinated; the more people in a community who are vaccinated and protected from COVID-19, the harder it is for this virus to spread. However, this process will take several months and so we ask for your understanding and patience.”

There are currently 7,322 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, and 24% of these people are in the ICU.

Of the 185 deaths reported today (not including Long Beach), 69 people that passed away were over the age of 80 years old, 56 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, 48 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, 11 people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49 years old and one person between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Of the deaths reported today, 126 deaths were people with underlying health conditions, including 52 people who were over the age of 80 years old, 39 people who were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, 29 people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old, five people between the ages of 30 and 49 years old and one person between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. One death is reported by the city of Pasadena.

Of the total number of people who died, information about race and ethnicity is available for 13,246 people; 52% of deaths occurred among Latino/Latinx residents, 24% among White residents, 14% among Asian residents, 9% among African American/Black residents, less than 1% among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander residents and 2% among residents identifying with other races. Upon further investigation, 218 cases reported earlier were not L.A. County residents.

Testing results are available for more than 5,266,000 individuals with 19% of all people testing positive.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Please see additional information below: