COVID-19 Cases Decrease Among People Experiencing Homelessness; Business Cooperation is Essential for Recovery Journey

88 New Deaths and 933 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 88 new deaths and 933 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,212,586 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 22,664 deaths.

There are 861 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 26% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 5,984,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive.  Today’s daily test positivity rate is 1.8%.

Cases among people experiencing homelessness have dropped from the peak of 620 weekly cases during late-December, to 58 new cases reported this week. The number of new cases reported this week includes 48 cases from previous weeks that were newly identified and were included in the new case totals. To date, Public Health has identified 7,061 cases among people experiencing homelessness, and 194 people who were experiencing homelessness have passed away from COVID-19. Of the people experiencing homelessness who passed away, 90 were sheltered, 65 were unsheltered, and for 39 people who passed away, their sheltered status was unknown. The County continues working with partner organizations to reduce virus transmission and protect people experiencing homelessness from COVID-19 infection.

Of the 88 new deaths reported today, 25 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 30 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79,  27 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and five people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. One death was reported by the City of Pasadena.

“I send my sincere condolences to the many people across our County grieving a family member or friend who has passed away from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “The success of the County’s recovery and the safety of at-risk residents and workers, depends on businesses and residents closely following the rules. If our COVID-19 transmission decreases, lives are saved, and we will be allowed to continue to open more businesses and ease activity specific restrictions in the future. We all experienced what happens when public health safety measures are not followed closely. We have to avoid increases that can easily lead to more people suffering and take us backwards on our recovery journey.  As more people are vaccinated, universal cooperation with safety measures is what will keep us moving forward with our recovery journey.”

Public Health inspectors visit businesses every day to ensure compliance with the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order, provide education, identify violations, and may issue citations for businesses out of compliance, and, unfortunately, an order to close to those who refuse to or are unable to take the steps required to protect their workforce and community. During recent business compliance checks, inspectors noted restaurants with unapproved structures, tables less than eight feet apart, staff without face shields, and retail stores not monitoring occupancy. In order to remain open, all businesses are required to adhere fully with their sector specific protocols. From March 1 through March 14, a total of 112 citations were issued to businesses including restaurants, family entertainment establishments, gyms, and personal care salons for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders. Since the end of August, a total of 1,219 citations have been issued.

Businesses must implement and follow all safety protocols closely and ensure adherence with all Health Officer Order directives including, occupancy limits, masking, infection control and distancing requirements, ensuring there are no crowded spaces or places, report outbreaks of three or more cases, and allow employees to work from home as much as possible, and to stay home if they’re feeling sick.

Businesses that are not adhering to safety protocols to protect workers and customers increase the risk for COVID-19 spread. A list of non-compliant businesses that received citations can be found online. Non-compliance and dangerous conditions at businesses can be reported to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. These tips can be submitted anonymously.

For information about who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in L.A. County, how to make an appointment if it is your turn, what verifications you will need to show at your vaccination appointment, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com  (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com  (Spanish). Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

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

 

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