Public Health Underscores Importance of COVID-19 Testing

4 New Deaths and 196 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 4 new deaths and 196 new cases of COVID-19. Of the four new deaths reported today, two people that passed away were over the age of 80 and two people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79.

To date, Public Health identified 1,246,123 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,415 deaths. There are 236 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 18% of these people are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Testing results are available for nearly 6,900,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive.  Today’s daily test positivity rate is 0.4%.

As the County prepares for the June 15 reopening and with increased intermingling, testing will be an important tool to stop COVID-19 outbreaks. Public Health recommends testing for anyone with signs or symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or recent infection. Testing is also recommended for unvaccinated people who have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed COVID-19 infection or who has had a potential exposure. Additionally, you should get tested if you are unvaccinated and you spend time indoors around a lot of people not wearing masks, whether you’ve had symptoms or not. Testing remains widely available across the county.

“To the families grieving the loss of a loved one to COVID-19, we send you our deepest sympathies,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Transmission in L.A. County is low, but the people getting infected unfortunately, are people who are not vaccinated. If you’re not yet vaccinated, you do not have the same protection as vaccinated people so you will need to take extra care by keeping your mask on when you’re indoors and when you’re in an outdoor crowded situation. As the County reopens on June 15, masking will continue to be the best protection that unvaccinated people have.”

Through Thursday, June 17 at County-run vaccination sites, participating LA city and mobile sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites, everyone 18 and older coming to get their first vaccine or who brings a first-time vaccine recipient with them to their second dose appointment, will have an opportunity to win a pair of season tickets to the 2021-2022 home season of the Clippers, the Rams, or the Chargers.  Official rules and participating site locations are posted online on the Los Angeles County Vaccination Sweepstakes page. Winners will be contacted by phone and/or email.

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccinations are available at County-run sites, LA City run sites, almost all mobile sites and many of the community sites without an appointment. Many sites are open on weekends and have evening hours.

Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more. If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound.  Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

County Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, 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.