COVID-19 Cases Among Skilled Nursing Facilities Decline

41 New Deaths and 1,750 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

In parallel with the overall trend in Los Angeles County, COVID-19 case numbers among staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities increased in early-July through mid-August and have begun to decline in the past few weeks.

During the week ending August 8, 123 cases were reported among residents and staff at skilled nursing facilities. For the week ending September 12, 55 people tested positive for COVID-19 at skilled nursing facilities: 20 new cases were among skilled nursing facility residents and 35 new cases among skilled nursing facility staff. Over the past three weeks, an average of 65 new cases were reported among staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities.

Currently, 88% of residents and 90% of staff at skilled nursing facilities are fully vaccinated. Skilled nursing facilities are subject to strict infection control precautions and are also required to verify the vaccine status of all workers and conduct routine testing of staff and residents. By September 30, healthcare workers, including staff at skilled nursing facilities, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Today, Public Health confirms 41 new deaths and 1,750 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 41 new deaths reported today, nine people who passed away were over the age of 80, 12 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, nine people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and six people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. Five deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach. To date, Public Health identified 1,448,065 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 25,911 deaths.

There are 1,018 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 31% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 8,510,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.7%.

Tomorrow, Thursday, September 23, at 6:00 p.m., Public Health will host a Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19. Join the town hall to get the latest updates on COVID-19 and information about booster doses. The town hall will be streamed live on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @lapublichealth. For more information and to submit a question, visit: TinyURL.com/LACOVIDTownHall

“We wish healing and peace to the families and friends grieving a loved one who passed away from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “The decline in cases at skilled nursing facilities is welcomed news and reflects the high vaccination coverage at these facilities along with the stringent infection control measures. We continue to prioritize and support skilled nursing facilities with third doses for those residents who are immunocompromised and are prepared to ramp up these efforts once boosters are approved. The decline in cases and deaths at nursing homes is an important reminder of just how powerful the vaccines are in preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.”

L.A. County continues to offer vaccines at many different sites across the county to make it as easy as possible for eligible L.A. County residents to get vaccinated. Many vaccination sites across the county, including all 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.

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. 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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