COVID Metrics Continue to Improve for Students and School Staff

5,100 New Positive Cases and 103 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Local schools are continuing to see a decline in the number of positive tests and test positivity for their students and staff.

For the week of January 31-February 4, schools conducted 515,389 tests that resulted in 13,631 positive tests (with 9,537 positive tests from LAUSD). This is a 36% decrease from the 21,472 positive tests from the week prior. The test positivity rate also decreased by about 40% to 2.6%, compared to 4.4% for the week prior.

As of February 3, 33% of 5-11 years old and 84% of 12–17-year-olds were reported as being vaccinated with at least one dose. Additionally, 24% of 5–11-year-olds were and 75% 12–17-year-olds were reported as fully vaccinated.

While test positivity and the number of positive tests in schools continue to decline, the number of outbreaks has remained relatively stable thanks to school-based safety measures, including masking and testing, that reduce spread.  There were 56 active school outbreaks, including 15 new outbreaks (seven in elementary schools, two in middle schools, five in high schools, and one in youth sports) between January 30 – February 5 a small increase compared to the 52 active school outbreaks the week prior.

“Our hearts remain with those families experiencing the sorrow of losing those they love to COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “The decline in positive tests and test positivity suggests that schools continue to successfully implement recommended strategies that limit spread, such as screening and response testing, ensuring compliance with isolation and quarantine requirements, following recommended infection control guidelines, and as required by the state, wearing well-fitting masks. As always, we are grateful for the hard work of school superintendents, labor partners and staff, parents and students to implement these strategies that promote safety at schools and help us move closer to our post-surge phase and less transmission.”

Today, Public Health confirmed 103 additional deaths and 5,100 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 103 new deaths reported today, three people were between the ages of 30-49, 24 were between the ages of 50-64, 42 were between the ages of 65-79, and 33 were aged 80 years or older. Of the 103 newly reported deaths, 91 had underlying health conditions. Information on the one death reported by the City of Long Beach is available at www.LongBeach.gov. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 29,609.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,740,700 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 5%.

There are 2,597 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,218,100 individuals, with 22% of people testing positive.

To reduce spread and keep workplaces and schools open, residents and workers are asked to:

• Adhere to masking requirements when indoors or at crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
• Remain home when sick, isolate if they test positive and quarantine if they were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Residents are legally required to isolate themselves away from others if they test positive for COVID-19. Close contacts with symptoms and close contacts who are unvaccinated or not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations need to follow quarantine requirements. For updated isolation and quarantine guidance, please visit www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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, connecting 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 12:00pm 02/08/2022
	Total Cases	NEW
Laboratory Confirmed Cases	2,740,700	5100
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*	2,591,762	4876
— Long Beach	121,875	133
— Pasadena	27,063	91
Deaths	29,609	103
— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	28,066	102
— Long Beach	1,159	1
— Pasadena	384	0
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
– 0 to 4	78998
– 5 to 11	229407
– 12 to 17	224763
– 18 to 29	579947
– 30 to 49	828275
– 50 to 64	429589
– 65 to 79	165377
–  over 80	53523
–  Under Investigation	1883
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  Female	1316622
–  Male	1200764
–  Other	929
–  Under Investigation	73447
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  American Indian/Alaska Native	4781
–  Asian	155159
–  Black	129136
–  Hispanic/Latino	1186120
–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	13464
–  White	328411
–  Other	285173
–  Under Investigation	489518
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  Hospitalized (Ever)	129377	**DATA  Under reported
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
–  American Indian/Alaska Native	64
–  Asian	3556
–  Black	2554
–  Hispanic/Latino	14613
–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	100
–  White	6838
–  Other	270
–  Under Investigation	71