Public Health Encourages Everyone to Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely

28 New Deaths and 1,081 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

With substantial community transmission of COVID-19 continuing in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) encourages everyone to enjoy Thanksgiving safely. Unvaccinated people are at higher risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 to others, creating additional risk for holiday gatherings where not all attendees are fully vaccinated.

Public Health recommends if you’re gathering with anyone at higher risk of severe illness or who is not fully vaccinated, celebrate safely outdoors as much as possible, wear masks when indoors and keep your distance while eating/drinking, or even consider getting together virtually. In addition to gathering safely, avoid crowded places and wear your mask when in crowded outdoor settings. If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, follow all local and national public health vaccination, testing, and quarantine guidelines.

If you are not fully vaccinated and planning to visit family or friends this Thanksgiving or during this winter season, here are ways to layer on protection for yourself and your family and friends:

• Get vaccinated now or as soon as possible. (For all COVID-19 vaccines, you are only considered fully protected two weeks after all doses are complete.)
• Avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
• Wear a well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth when gathering with others, especially if you or they are not fully vaccinated or are at increased risk of severe illness if they get infected (elderly or have underlying health conditions).
• Keep distance while eating unless everyone is fully vaccinated.
• Take a COVID-19 viral test before joining others if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, or have been in crowded indoor places in the past two weeks.
• Stay home if you are sick, have symptoms, or test positive.

Today, Public Health confirmed 28 new deaths and 1,081 new cases of COVID-19. Due to schools being closed this week, the County anticipates a smaller number of cases associated with a decrease in testing. On average, school testing can account for more than 100,000 tests a day.

Of the 28 new deaths reported today, 11 people who passed away were over the age of 80, six people who passed were between the ages of 65 and 79, eight people who passed were between the ages of 50 and 64, and two people who passed were between the ages of 30 and 49. One death was reported by the City of Pasadena. To date, Public Health has identified 1,522,240 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 27,074 deaths.

There are 551 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, 29% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 9,370,000 individuals, with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.4%.

“Our hearts go out to everyone grieving the loss of a family member or friend to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we all take some much-needed time to rest and gather with loved ones, please remember the risk of COVID-19 transmission continues to be substantial, and unvaccinated people continue to be at higher risk for severe health outcomes. Taking a common sense approach to the holiday can limit risks: Please remember to gather outdoors for as much of your Thanksgiving festivities as is feasible, get tested if you are unvaccinated or have high-risk guests, and mask up when indoors if anyone attending is unvaccinated and/or high risk. And when you’re out shopping or at community events, mask up and avoid large crowds. We wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy holiday.”

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for everyone 5 years old and older to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites and many community sites where first, second, and third doses are available.

To find a vaccination site near you, or to make an appointment, please visit:

• www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) or www.VacunateLosAngeles.com  (Spanish).

If you need assistance you can also call 1-833-540-0473 for help:

• Finding an appointment
• Connect to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or
• Schedule a home-visit if you are homebound.

For more information regarding COVID-19 in LA County you can also visit the Public Health website at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov here you will find information on:

• COVID-19 sector protocols & best practices,
• COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboards, and
• COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive and, Recovery Dashboards

Please see additional information below: