COVID-19 Cases Among People Experiencing Homelessness Increased Over Past Month

34 New Deaths and 4,046 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Reflecting the recent overall trend in Los Angeles County, the number of COVID-19 cases among people experiencing homelessness increased over the past month. On average, fewer than 30 new cases per week were reported among people experiencing homelessness between late-February and mid-July. This week, there were 185 new cases reported among people experiencing homelessness which includes 71 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, 7,996 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County tested positive for COVID-19 and 218 people who were experiencing homelessness passed away from COVID-19. Of these people who passed away, 101 were sheltered, 71 were unsheltered, and for 46 people who passed away, their shelter status was unknown. This past month, Public Health received reports of three people who were experiencing homelessness who passed away from COVID-19.

There are 1,138 providers administering vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness; together they have administered over 51,322 doses of COVID-19 vaccine across Los Angeles County; 25,091 people experiencing homelessness are fully vaccinated.

The County continues to work closely with partner organizations to vaccinate and protect people experiencing homelessness from COVID-19 infection. Homeless shelter facilities are required to verify the vaccine status of all workers and for those unvaccinated, weekly testing is required.

Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 34 new deaths and 4,046 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 34 new deaths reported today, six people who passed away were over the age of 80, 13 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, eight people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, six people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29. To date, Public Health identified 1,359,672 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,967 deaths.

There are 1,754 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 23% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 7,830,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive.  Today’s test positivity rate is 3.6%.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone grieving the loss of a loved one who passed away from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We have a very large population of people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County, and the availability of emergency, interim, and permanent housing remains a priority, particularly during this long duration pandemic. People experiencing homelessness are at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease due to underlying health conditions, age, or both. As we partner with others to reach people experiencing homelessness that are not yet vaccinated, layering protection at programs serving this population is critical. This includes offering isolation and quarantine facilities for those positive for COVID-19 and for those close contacts to positive cases who are unsheltered.  As with previous surges, our strategies for reducing transmission must focus on those at high risk who are without adequate resources.”

The Los Angeles County Health Officer Order was modified Monday to require universal masking at outdoor mega events of 10,000 or more persons regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. Masks are required to be worn by everyone at all times except when actively eating or drinking at these events. As the highly infectious Delta variant continues to spread, wearing masks regardless of vaccination status indoors and in crowded settings, including at outdoor mega events, reduces the risk of being infected with and transmitting COVID-19.

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. L.A. County continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines at many different sites across the county that have weekend and evening hours.  Many vaccination sites across the county, including all the County-run sites, are also offering third doses of vaccine to eligible immunocompromised people.

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.

Please see additional information below: