New Vaccination Sweepstakes Begins Tomorrow with Pepe Aguilar at the Staples Center and Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience; Nearly 10 Million Vaccine Doses Administered in L.A. County

8 New Deaths and 249 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Beginning tomorrow, Friday, June 18 through next Thursday, June 24 at County-run vaccination sites, participating LA City 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 one of three prizes: two 17-ticket packages to see Pepe Aguilar at the Staples Center this November, and one VIP Experience for 20 people at Universal Studios Hollywood. Official rules and participating site locations will be posted on the Los Angeles County Vaccination Sweepstakes page online tomorrow.  The Clippers, the Rams, or the Chargers season tickets vaccination sweepstakes is currently in effect through the end of the day today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 8 new deaths and 249 new cases of COVID-19. Of the eight new deaths reported today, two people that passed away were over the age of 80, four people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, and one person who died was between the ages of 50 and 64. One death was reported by the City of Long Beach.

To date, Public Health identified 1,247,032 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,428 deaths. There are 223 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 22% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 6,926,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 0.7%.

As of June 13, more than 9,957,048 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people across Los Angeles County. Of these, 5,620,155 were first doses and 4,336,893 were second doses. Among L.A. County residents 16 and over, 66% have received one dose of vaccine and 56% have been fully vaccinated. Among L.A. County seniors 65 and over, 86% have received one dose of vaccine and 74% have been fully vaccinated.

Although there is concern that overall vaccination numbers are slowing, the County is seeing some gratifying increases in vaccination in younger age groups. Nearly one-third of 12 to 15-year-olds have received at least one vaccine, as have nearly half of 16 to 17-year-olds. There are smaller increases among 18 to 29-year-olds, whose proportion vaccinated increased from 47% to 53% over the month, and among 30 to 49-year-olds, who saw an increase from 57% to 62%. County seniors are already vaccinated at very high rates, and they continue to show up for their vaccines with 90% of 65 to 79-year-olds now vaccinated.

“We extend our deepest condolences to those of you who have been grieving the loss of a loved one or a coworker to this virus; our love and prayers are with you,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Given how much protection vaccinations provide, it will be important to improve the rates of vaccination among young and middle-aged adults, many of whom are part of our essential workforce and who may be participating in more activities now that we are fully re-opened. The most effective strategy to reduce the likelihood that outbreaks will arise due to large numbers of unvaccinated people exposed at worksites or gathering at events, is closing vaccination coverage gaps. We urge everyone, especially those who are not or cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19, to continue to exercise caution and good judgment as physical distancing requirements and capacity limitations are removed.  This includes always wearing a mask when indoors at workplaces, public settings, and businesses. If you are unvaccinated and will have sustained close contact with others whose vaccination status is not known or they are unvaccinated, consider using a respirator to protect yourself more effectively from the virus.”

With the state fully reopened, it will be important that Public Health continues to follow and share signs of changing dynamics in the transmission and severity of COVID-19. One of the ways to do this is by tracking positive tests, hospitalizations, and deaths in fully vaccinated people. An increase in hospitalizations or deaths among fully vaccinated people would be an early signal that a more lethal variant not prevented by available vaccines, is in circulation.  Among 4.4 million fully vaccinated people, Public Health identified 1,696 people who tested positive for a COVID-19 infection contracted more than two weeks after they were fully vaccinated.  That means that about 0.04% of all vaccinated people tested positive for COVID-19. This includes people who were tested as a matter of routine requirement by their workplace. A total of 139 people, 0.003% of those fully vaccinated, were hospitalized for infections contracted while fully vaccinated. And 19 people died of their infections, 0.0004%.  The numbers are very similar to the numbers seen last month.

Now that the state has fully reopened, Public Health has posted a revised Health Officer Order, which urges sensible preventive measures and rescinds most sector-specific protocols. For more information on the County reopening including masking requirements, travel guidance, best practices, and remaining sector protocols, visit: www.ReopeningLACounty.com

To find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). 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.

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