Unvaccinated Black and Latinx Residents Have the Highest COVID Case Rates; Unvaccinated White Residents Have the Highest Death Rates

28 New Deaths and 1,195 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Between August 29 and September 25, unvaccinated Black and Latinx people had the highest case rates with 587 to 594 new cases per 100,000 people. Across all racial and ethnic groups, infection rates among unvaccinated people remained two to three times higher than among vaccinated people. Black residents also had the highest hospitalization rates among both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents, with a rate of 62 hospitalizations for every 100,000 unvaccinated people, which is 27% higher than the rate in the next highest group, Latinx residents.

Among unvaccinated people, White residents had the highest death rates of all groups, followed closely by Latinx and Black residents.

These numbers highlight the need to continue efforts that make it as easy as possible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in our hardest-hit communities, especially in those communities with high numbers of residents with chronic illnesses and other risk factors that increase their chances of severe illness from infection.

Today, Public Health confirms 28 new deaths and 1,195 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 28 new deaths reported today, five people who passed away were over the age of 80, 11 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, eight people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and four people who died were between that ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health identified 1,469,790 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,308 deaths.

There are 696 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 30% of these people are in the IC. Testing results are available for more than 8,770,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 0.93%.

“There are many families in our County that are experiencing the loss of a loved one to COVID-19, and we extend our deepest sympathy to you,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “The higher rates of hospitalization and death among Black and Latinx residents is a tragedy that reflects longstanding inequities in access to the resources that promote good health and prevent chronic illness. As we approach cooler weather and the accompanied substantial disease spread, these numbers are a reminder of the importance of remaining focused on bringing the vaccine to unvaccinated individuals, especially those with risk factors associated with social and economic inequities that increase their risk of severe illness. The end of the pandemic is directly related to our collective behavior. For the protection of everyone, we encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated; as the vaccines offer powerful protection against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19 infection.”

Vaccinated middle and high school students are eligible for free UCLA football tickets. UCLA has partnered with Public Health to give away free tickets to a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl to middle or high school students in L.A. County who’ve received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while tickets last. Students aged 12 to 18 who’ve received at least one dose can sign up for the free tickets online by visiting: http://ph.lacounty.gov/DPHUCLAVaxforTix.

Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated for COVID-19 to get vaccinated now to be fully protected for the holidays. Vaccinations are widely available throughout L.A. County and 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. Appointments are not needed at many sites and all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.

Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more. 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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