COVID-Related Hospitalizations in Los Angels County Have Nearly Doubled in Two Weeks

1,966 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and 4 New Deaths

Driven by the more aggressive Delta variant, low vaccination rates in certain communities and more intermingling of unmasked individuals, hospitalizations in L.A. County almost doubled in just two weeks, with 745 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Two weeks ago, on Monday, July 12, 372 people were hospitalized.

Almost everyone hospitalized with COVID-19 in L.A. County is unvaccinated; Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 97% of patients who have been hospitalized with COVID-19 since January have not been vaccinated. And while post-vaccination infections and hospitalizations can happen, these individuals tend to experience less severe illness because the vaccines are highly protective.

Today, Public Health is reporting 4 new deaths and 1,966 new cases of COVID-19. The number of cases and deaths likely reflect reporting delays over the weekend. Of the four new deaths reported today, three people that passed away were over the age of 80, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29 years old.

To date, Public Health has identified 1,285,771 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,631 deaths. Testing results are available for over 7,261,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 5.2%.

“Our hearts go out to all of our county residents who are mourning the loss of a family member or friend,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we continue to experience significant community transmission fueled by the Delta variant, every effort to reduce spread is important. This includes the additional layer of masking and testing protections the state health officer order requires at health care and high-risk congregate living facilities. Every worksite in L.A. County also has an opportunity to reduce virus transmission by adhering to the requirement that all employees and customers wear their masks indoors. We need the additional protection while more individuals get vaccinated if we want to get back to low rates of transmission.”

Now through Thursday, July 29 at County-run vaccination sites, LA City sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites, everyone 18 and older coming to get a vaccine will have an opportunity to win one of seven packages of tickets to an array of concerts presented by AEG.

To find a vaccination site near you, 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. Appointments and photo identification are not needed for adults 18 and older at any of the county vaccination sites.

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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