COVID-19 Cases Among People Experiencing Homelessness Decline; Pfizer Booster Available to Eligible Residents

32 New Deaths and 1,571 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Reflecting the overall trend in Los Angeles County, the number of COVID-19 cases among people experiencing homelessness increased in July and August and has declined in the past few weeks.

During the week ending August 22, 184 cases were reported among people experiencing homelessness. This week, there were 142 new cases reported among people experiencing homelessness, which includes 70 cases from previous weeks that have been newly identified as cases associated with people experiencing homelessness and are now included in the new case totals. One person experiencing homelessness passed away from COVID-19 this week. To date, 8,948 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County have tested positive for COVID-19 and 232 people who were experiencing homelessness have passed away from COVID-19. Of these people who passed away, 109 were sheltered, 75 were unsheltered, and for 48 people who passed away, their shelter status was unknown.

There are 1,221 providers administering vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness; together they have administered over 57,157 doses of COVID-19 vaccine across Los Angeles County; 28,874 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 and is offering Pfizer booster doses to eligible people.

Following CDC’s endorsement, eligible Los Angeles County residents can begin receiving their booster doses at any of the hundreds of sites offering the Pfizer vaccine.

Los Angeles County residents eligible for a booster dose of Pfizer include the following groups of people who received the second of the two-dose Pfizer vaccine series at least 6 months ago and are either:

• People aged 65 years or older
• Residents of long-term care facilities
• People aged 18 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions
• People aged 18 to 64 years with high institutional or occupational risk, including healthcare workers, first responders, teachers and day care staff, grocery workers, and workers in homeless shelters or prisons, among others

Residents who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will need to wait until the FDA reviews the data and determines the need for and safety of boosters for these vaccines.

Those not yet vaccinated can make an appointment to get vaccinated by using the MyTurn system. Eligible residents who completed their two-dose Pfizer vaccine series at least six months ago can also make an appointment for their boosters by using the MyTurn system or by making an appointment at a pharmacy or clinic that offers Pfizer vaccinations. Residents will need to bring proof they received two previous Pfizer doses, which for most people will be in the form of the white vaccination card, or a photo of the white card, or a digital record of your two doses. At many sites, residents may be asked to sign an attestation form indicating they meet the criteria to receive the Pfizer booster.

Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 32 new deaths and 1,571 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 32 new deaths reported today, nine people who passed away were over the age of 80, nine people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 10 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between that ages of 30 and 49. Three deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach. To date, Public Health identified 1,451,438 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 25,972 deaths.

There are 956 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 8,543,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.5%.

“To everyone who is mourning a loved one or friend who has passed away from COVID-19, we send our deepest condolences,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Sensible protections are instrumental in keeping transmission of COVID-19 in check. In places where sensible steps have not been taken to reduce the spread of this virus, COVID-19 continues to ruin futures and take lives. Until community transmission is low and vaccination coverage is much higher, prevention strategies are essential to our collective well-being and economic recovery. Get vaccinated if you haven’t done so yet, and if you are eligible, you should get a third booster Pfizer shot to enhance your protection from severe disease.”

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.

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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