COVID-19 Cases Remain Low Among People Experiencing Homelessness

11 New Deaths and 260 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 11 new deaths and 260 new cases of COVID-19.  Of the 11 new deaths reported today, five people that passed away were over the age of 80, three people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, and three people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64.

To date, Public Health identified 1,248,128 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,455 deaths. There are 230 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 25% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 6,973,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 0.8%.

Similar to the overall trend in L.A. County, the number of COVID-19 cases among people experiencing homelessness have declined significantly and continue to remain low. During the last week of December, weekly cases peaked to 630 cases a week.  This week, there were 60 new cases reported among people experiencing homelessness which includes 53 cases from previous weeks that were newly identified as cases associated with people experiencing homelessness and are included in the new case totals. To date, 7,296 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County tested positive for COVID-19 and 213 people who were experiencing homelessness passed away from COVID-19. Of the people experiencing homelessness who passed away, 97 were sheltered, 70 were unsheltered, and for 46 people who passed away, their shelter status was unknown.

There are 967 providers administering vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness; together they have administered over 35,296 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to people experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County. The County continues to work closely with partner organizations to vaccinate and protect people experiencing homelessness from COVID-19 infection.

“I send my heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Given the significant increase in the circulation of the Delta variant – which is now estimated to be responsible for 20% of cases across the U.S., sensible public health precautions are recommended at all worksites and megaevents. Unless vaccination status can be verified when indoors in crowded places, masks prevent virus transmission. Workers that are unvaccinated and working indoors with sustained close contact with others should be provided with a respirator and where appropriate, a solid partition. Until we get more individuals vaccinated, let’s make sure workplaces are as safe as possible.”

The Pepe Aguilar at the Staples Center and Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience vaccination sweepstakes is currently in effect through tomorrow, 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 can be found on the Los Angeles County Vaccination Sweepstakes page online.  Winners will be contacted by phone and/or email.

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. 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.

COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, 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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