Large Increases in L.A. County Cases as Screening Testing Increases, Public Health Sees Small Decline in Test Positivity Rate

13 New Deaths and 4,283 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 4,283 new cases of COVID-19. The high number of new cases reflects both continued high rates of transmission and significant increases in screening testing.

Routine testing programs are increasing at businesses and schools in L.A. County.  As a result of increased screening testing programs, there will be quicker identification of asymptomatic people infected with COVID-19.  Public Health staff will be contacting all people testing positive to ensure they are isolating for 10 days and identifying all their close contacts who will be notified of the need to quarantine.  Testing is an effective strategy to slow transmission as long as all positive cases and their close contacts stay away from other people during their quarantine or isolation period. Testing results are available for nearly 7,500,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive.  Today’s test positivity rate is 4.7%, a small decrease from last week’s rate of 6.3%.

There are 1,383 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 22% of these people are in the ICU. The hospitalization rate is increasing among unvaccinated people, while remaining very low among vaccinated people. Between May 1 and July 17, 3,158 people were hospitalized; 92% of those hospitalized were not fully vaccinated.

Of the 13 new deaths reported today, three people who passed away were over the age of 80, four people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, four people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health identified 1,323,345 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,769 deaths.

“To everyone who has lost a friend or loved one to COVID-19, we send you our thoughts and prayers,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With increased testing, our case numbers are likely to rise until we significantly reduce community transmission.   While indoor masking and quarantine and isolation of cases and close contacts are effective strategies for reducing transmission, the quickest way to slow the spread is to increase vaccination coverage.  Today, as I worked with our team at the Obregon Park vaccination clinic, I was encouraged to see so many teens coming in to get vaccinated.  All these newly vaccinated teens contribute to the safe re-opening of schools and get us closer to community immunity.  While recognizing that many not yet vaccinated have concerns about the vaccines, given the overwhelming evidence of the safety and efficacy of the three vaccines used in the United States, and the threat these high rates of transmission present to our recovery, the time is now for everyone eligible to get vaccinated.  If you have questions of whether the vaccine is safe, please talk with your health care provider to get accurate information.”

If you are already vaccinated, encourage your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to get vaccinated. Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccinations are widely available throughout L.A. County and many sites are open on weekends and have evening hours. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

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.

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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