Cases Surge Across LA County With One Day Totals Topping More Than 20,000; Public Health Urges Residents to Avoid Risky Gatherings This Holiday

Public Health Reports 20,198 New Positive Cases and 24 New Deaths of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Today’s positive case count of 20,198 is more than triple the number of cases reported last week. Numerous major COVID-19 metrics are surging across L.A. County, including cases, hospitalizations, outbreaks, and positivity rate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates L.A. County’s weekly case rate is up nearly fourfold to 724 new cases per 100,000 residents, with continued very high transmission countywide.

There are 1,251 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, a 67% increase from one week ago when 801 people were hospitalized with COVID-19.

There are currently 494 open outbreak investigations at residential congregate settings and non-residential settings with at least 1 confirmed case of COVID-19.  This is a ten-fold increase over the number of investigations we had open at this time last week.

The daily positivity rate has also doubled in the last week, increasing from 10.9% to 20.4%.

Daily New Cases, Positivity Rate, Hospitalization of Confirmed Cases and Deaths Last 7 Days
	Th 12/30	W 12/29	Tu 12/28	M 12/27	Su 12/26	Sa 12/25	F 12/24
Daily new cases	20,198	16,510	9,473	7,425(1)	8,891(1,2)	11,930(1,2)	9,988
Daily deaths	24	25	22	9(1)	7 (1,2)	6 (1,2)	21
Daily hospitalizations of confirmed cases	1,251	1,069	966	904	849	850	801
Daily positivity rate (7-day avg)	20.4%	18.5%	16.6%	14.8%	12.5%	11.4%	10.9%

Data is by date reported by DPH, but does not necessarily represent the date of testing, hospitalization, or death.

1 – Number reflects an undercount due to a lag from holiday or weekend reporting.

2 – Numbers do not include Long Beach and Pasadena.

“As we head into 2022, my heart and prayers are with all those who are experiencing unimaginable pain after losing a loved one to COVID,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With cases skyrocketing and hospitalizations also rising, many of us are anxious and worried about getting infected or infecting others. While the explosive increases in cases indicate very high community transmission, we do have tools to protect ourselves and each other. And while not perfect, vaccines are keeping most of us who are fully vaccinated from experiencing severe illness. The most recent county data shows that even with increased circulation of Omicron, vaccinated residents are 20 times less likely to be hospitalized and 18 times less likely to die from COVID than those who are unvaccinated. This is powerful protection that can help all of us move forward united in our effort to end the pandemic in 2022.”

Public Health would like to remind residents that getting vaccinated or boosted remains critical as holiday traveling and gatherings begin. Additionally, all residents across LA County should continue:

• Getting 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
• Adhering 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 be quarantined.

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 Dashboard

Please see additional information:

	Total Cases	NEW
Laboratory Confirmed Cases	1669545	20198
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*	1581869	19549
— Long Beach	72,240	449
— Pasadena	15,436	200
Deaths	27625	24
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	26179	16
— Long Beach	1075	7
— Pasadena	371	1
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
– 0 to 4	41987
– 5 to 11	92066
– 12 to 17	100650
– 18 to 29	381218
– 30 to 49	530704
– 50 to 64	283495
– 65 to 79	111620
–  over 80	39159
–  Under Investigation	970
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  Female	796762
–  Male	746582
–  Other	802
–  Under Investigation	37723
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  American Indian/Alaska Native	2751
–  Asian	79769
–  Black	80773
–  Hispanic/Latino	781437
–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	6084
–  White	211312
–  Other	139945
–  Under Investigation	279798
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  Hospitalized (Ever)	110893
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  American Indian/Alaska Native	61
–  Asian	3378
–  Black	2342
–  Hispanic/Latino	13835
–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	97
–  White	6228
–  Other	203
–  Under Investigation	35