Additional MIS-C Cases Confirmed in Children as L.A. County

 Reports Lowest Test Positivity Rate Since the Beginning of the Pandemic
37 New Deaths and 813 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Today, Public Health has confirmed 37 new deaths and 813 new cases of confirmed COVID-19. In total, Public Health has identified 1,225,256 cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and 23,467 deaths.

Of the 37 new deaths reported today, nine people that passed away were over the age of 80, 13 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 11 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, three people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29.

Public Health continues tracking cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in L.A. County. An additional 11 cases of MIS-C have been identified. To date, 169 cases of children with MIS-C in L.A. County including one child death have been reported to Public Health. All 169 children with MIS-C in L.A. County were hospitalized and 39% of the children were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Of the children with MIS-C, 26% were under the age of 5 years old, 31% were between the ages of 5 and 9 years old, 27% were between the ages of 10 and 14 years old and 16% were between the ages of 15 and 20 years old. Latino/Latinx children account for 75% of the reported cases.

MIS-C is a serious inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 that affects children under 21 years old. Symptoms include fever that does not go away and inflamed body parts, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. If you believe your child is displaying MIS-C symptoms, contact your primary care or an urgent care provider. Seek emergency care for critical or life-threatening conditions. If you do not have a primary care provider, dial 2-1-1 and L.A. County will help connect you to one.

This week, the County had the lowest test positivity rate since the start of the pandemic; today’s rate is 1.1%. The test positivity rate is the percent of all coronavirus test performed that come back positive. The test positivity rate peaked on December 30, during the height of the surge, at 20.9%, and has dropped 45% percent in the last month.

“While we are making tremendous progress with the spread of COVID-19 in our County there is also still great sadness as well. For those experiencing the loss of a loved one to COVID-19 we extend our deepest sympathy to you,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “April is a critical month in our COVID-19 recovery journey. Over the last few weeks, businesses and public spaces have reopened, and many more people have been out and around others. With increased contact among non-household members, there are many more opportunities for transmission of COVID-19, particularly if public health directives are not followed. As we’re seeing in many other states, if we can’t find it in us to follow safety precautions, including wearing face coverings and distancing when around others, we jeopardize our ability to move forward on the recovery journey.”

There are 508 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 24% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 6,192,000 individuals with 18% of people testing positive.

More than 4,715,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people across Los Angeles County. Of those vaccinated, 1,652,149 people received second doses and 136,232 people received the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Public Health is committed on ensuring an equitable distribution of vaccines and ensuring eligible residents and workers in hard hit communities have increased access to vaccines. 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 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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