Despite High Vaccination Levels, Healthcare Worker Case Numbers Are Rising; New Booster Dose Requirement Aimed at Ensuring Adequate Hospital Staffing
9 New Deaths, 7,425 New Positive Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County
Public Health reports a high proportion of healthcare workers, across a variety of settings, are fully vaccinated (with either two doses of an mRNA vaccine, or one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine). As of mid-November, 91% of hospital workers, 93% of dialysis workers, and 83% of EMS workers were vaccinated; as of December 12th, 96% of skilled nursing facility staff were also fully vaccinated. Nevertheless, with increased community transmission, cases among healthcare workers are now rising.
During the week ending on December 18th, a total 292 cases were identified among L.A. County healthcare workers, an increase of 26% from the previous week. Meanwhile, 46% of hospitals in the county are reporting staffing shortages, compared with 20% at the outset of last winter’s case surge.
In alignment with the State of California, LA County’s new Health Officer Order requiring booster doses for all healthcare workers is a key protective step aimed at reducing infections by increasing the numbers of workers with the optimal safety provided by the booster does. And while health care workers are generally highly vaccinated, many have not yet received their booster dose; for example, though fully vaccinated staff rates remain very high in the skilled nursing facility setting, the proportion of those who have received booster doses lags behind at approximately 50-60%.
The revised order, issued December 23rd, requires booster-eligible workers in healthcare settings be boosted by February 1st, 2022 or be tested for COVID-19 twice a week beginning December 27th (if in acute health care or long-term care settings). The order also recommends all workers upgrade their face coverings to surgical masks or higher-level respirators (such as an N95 mask). The goal of this order is to protect LA County’s healthcare workers, patients, facility residents, and community at large by ensuring an essential workforce remains as healthy and protected as possible.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Keeping healthcare workers safe is critical to maintaining functionality across our healthcare facilities when surges lead to rising rates of hospitalizations,” Ferrer continued. “Across multiple healthcare settings, our health care personnel have given their all and been fully vaccinated at high levels for many months. However, the threat of rising cases and concerning hospital staffing shortages require us to act quickly to ensure that in the face of the high transmissible Omicron variant, our essential workforce has an important added layer of protection.”
Today, Public Health confirmed nine additional deaths and 7,425 new cases of COVID-19. Today’s number of cases and deaths reflect the weekend reporting delays. Of the nine new deaths reported today, three were between the ages of 50 and 64, one was between the ages of 65-79 and five were over the age of 80 years old. Of the nine newly reported deaths, six had underlying conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 27,555.
Public Health has identified a total 1,623,442 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 12.4%; this represents a three-fold increase since last week, reflecting high levels of community transmission.
There are 904 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 9,953,000 individuals, with 15% of people testing positive.
Public Health would like to remind residents that getting vaccinated or boosted remains critical as holiday traveling and gatherings continues. Additionally, all residents across LA County should:
- Get tested to help reduce the spread, especially if you traveled for the holidays, have had a possible exposure, or have symptoms, or are gathering with people not in your household
- Adhere to masking requirements when indoors or at large outdoor mega events, regardless of vaccination status
Residents are also reminded that they are legally required to be isolated if they have a positive COVID test result and that vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to quarantine.
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:
|
Cases through 6:00pm 12/26/2021 |
||
|
|
Total Cases |
NEW |
|
Laboratory Confirmed Cases |
1623442 |
7425 |
|
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)* |
1539363 |
7425 |
|
— Long Beach |
69384 |
0 |
|
— Pasadena |
14695 |
0 |
|
Deaths |
27555 |
9 |
|
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas) |
26118 |
9 |
|
— Long Beach |
1067 |
0 |
|
— Pasadena |
370 |
0 |
|
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas) |
|
|
|
– 0 to 4 |
40794 |
|
|
– 5 to 11 |
89910 |
|
|
– 12 to 17 |
97898 |
|
|
– 18 to 29 |
369438 |
|
|
– 30 to 49 |
514938 |
|
|
– 50 to 64 |
277102 |
|
|
– 65 to 79 |
109643 |
|
|
– over 80 |
38710 |
|
|
– Under Investigation |
930 |
|
|
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas) |
|
|
|
– Female |
774704 |
|
|
– Male |
727374 |
|
|
– Other |
795 |
|
|
– Under Investigation |
36490 |
|
|
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas) |
|
|
|
– American Indian/Alaska Native |
2677 |
|
|
– Asian |
76349 |
|
|
– Black |
77624 |
|
|
– Hispanic/Latino |
770104 |
|
|
– Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
5839 |
|
|
– White |
203793 |
|
|
– Other |
133708 |
|
|
– Under Investigation |
269269 |
|
|
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas) |
|
|
|
– Hospitalized (Ever) |
110815 |
|
|
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas) |
|
|
|
– American Indian/Alaska Native |
60 |
|
|
– Asian |
3372 |
|
|
– Black |
2336 |
|
|
– Hispanic/Latino |
13809 |
|
|
– Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander |
97 |
|
|
– White |
6209 |
|
|
– Other |
200 |
|
|
– Under Investigation |
35 |
