Outbreak Investigations Increasing in L.A. County; Workers Are Encouraged to Get Vaccinated and Wear Masks at Worksites

2,454 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and 15 New Deaths

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is currently investigating 140 ongoing outbreaks; a 155% increase from the 55 ongoing outbreak investigations reported the week of July 12. Of the outbreak investigations reported today, 40% are related to outbreaks in non-healthcare and non-residential workplaces. Outbreaks in non-residential settings have seen a 5-fold increase since July 12. Non-residential settings include workplaces, food and retail stores, and places of worship.

While the increase in outbreak investigations is concerning, Public Health notes the number of outbreaks is still much lower than the 1,130 outbreak investigations that were reported in mid-February.

Since the Health Officer Order requiring indoor masking went into effect July 17, Public Health inspectors visited businesses to ensure they are following safety protocols and masking guidelines and offer technical assistance. Between July 17 and 23, inspectors visited 1,013 restaurants, 9 bars, 222 food markets, 22 hotels, 5 gyms and fitness centers, 11 hair salons or barbershops, 38 food manufacturing plants, 25 personal care businesses, and 10 shopping malls, among other businesses. Overall, compliance with the Health Officer Order is good; the most common violation is face masks not provided by employers and employees not wearing a face mask. Another common violation is businesses not posting signage instructing customers to wear a face mask.

Employers are required to report any cluster of worksite COVID-19 cases to Public Health. A cluster is when three or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 are known or reported at the worksite within a 14-day period. Identifying cases early provides an opportunity to contain outbreaks before they spread using appropriate workplace mitigation strategies, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine guidance, targeted vaccination strategies, and alignment of appropriate resources, including County mobile teams and community health workers to get in quickly, to reduce any chances that outbreaks will spread. Violations of safety requirements and dangerous conditions at businesses can be reported anonymously to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Today, Public Health is reporting 15 new deaths and 2,454 new cases of COVID-19. There are 891 people with COVID -19 currently hospitalized and 22% of these people are in the ICU.

To date, Public Health has identified 1,290,226 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,658 deaths. Testing results are available for over 7,279,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 6.05%. This is the first time since early February that the daily test positivity rate surpassed 6%.

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

“For all of those in our County who have lost a loved one to COVID-19, we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With the highest case rates occurring among people ages 18 to 49 years old, who comprise much of our workforce, workplaces can easily contribute to the spread of the virus. Unvaccinated employees interacting with other workers or the public, are at elevated risk for COVID infection that can then spread easily from worksite to family members and to community residents.”

The L.A. County Health Officer Order requires that all employees wear a face mask while working indoors or in shared vehicles regardless of vaccination status. Masks need not be worn indoors if the employee is alone in a room or actively eating or drinking. Public Health recommends that all employees who are eating or drinking indoors be spaced at least 6 feet from other persons. Face masks help prevent workers who do not know they have the COVID-19 virus from spreading it to others and they provide protection to the wearer as well. Upon request, employers are required to provide unvaccinated employees with the correct-size respirator along with basic instructions on how to use the respirator.

Now through tomorrow, 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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