The Los Angeles Post

Public Health Continues Expanding COVID-19 Therapeutic Awareness and Access Across the County

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1,157 New Positive Cases and 55 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Increasing the awareness and access of COVID-19 therapeutics that can prevent severe illness in individuals at elevated risk is a priority of the County’s post-surge plan. These free medications can help prevent serious illness, hospitalization, or death, and are particularly critical for residents at elevated risk of poor outcomes should they become infected with COVID.

Paxlovid (available for anyone 12 and older weighing more than 88 pounds) and Molnupiravir (available for adults 18 and older) are oral therapeutics that must be taken within 5 days of the first COVID-19 symptoms and require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Evulsheld is administered via injection and is available for anyone 12 and older weighing at least 88 pounds who has not been exposed to COVID-19 and can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons, or who may not respond well to a vaccine because they have a weak immune system due to a medical condition or treatment.

Public Health is working with partners and providers to inform patients about these medications, including the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) and the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC). Public Health is also expanding current efforts to raise awareness about therapeutics and dispatching Community Health Workers in the field, sponsoring radio PSA’s, and commissioning print, digital and social media ads.

To ensure access to COVID therapeutics across the county, Public Health is working to enroll new providers in a vast network of sites that can provide information to residents and have sufficient supply of these life-saving therapeutics, particularly in those communities with residents at elevated risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes. Public Health will also be launching a pilot project aimed at providing a telehealth option for patients who are unable to access care or are uninsured. Patients testing positive at selected testing sites in under-served communities will be linked to a telehealth option and, if eligible, will be shipped medications at no cost.

The federal government also recently announced the “Test to Treat” program, which is launching this week and will allow patients to walk into local pharmacies and clinics with onsite clinics to get tested and treated on the same visit at the same location. Eighteen CVS Minute Clinics in LA County are participating in the first wave and can be found by visiting: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic.

Residents who would like to access these medicines or have questions on which treatment is right for them should contact their medical provider or call the COVID-19 information line at 833-540-0473, 8:00 am – 8:30 pm daily. The call center is a free resource where residents can get culturally and linguistically appropriate information about available therapeutics, and how to access them. Residents can also visit the Federal therapeutics locator to find available therapeutics near them.

To date, 17,840 doses of Paxlovid, 37,748 doses of Molnupiravir, and 12,936 doses of Evusheld have been distributed across LA County.

Since the county began receiving therapeutics, 64 % of Paxlovid doses, 82 % of Molnupiravir doses, and 67% of Evusheld doses have been allocated to providers in the most under-resourced communities.

“I send my heartfelt condolences and wishes of healing to the countless people who have lost a loved one to this pandemic,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “One of the tragic consequences of COVID-19 is that many residents suffer higher COVID-19 case rates, serious illness and death related to where they live and work.  Given that the new therapeutics can save the lives of residents who are at elevated risk, Public Health is working closely with partners across the county to make sure they are accessible to those who are most vulnerable to severe illness from a COVID infection. Having sites where residents can both get tested and receive appropriate medications if they are positive is essential and we look forward to working with federal and pharmacy partners to expand availability of “Test to Treat” programs, especially in our under-resourced communities.”

Today, Public Health confirmed 55 additional deaths, and 1,157 new positive cases. Of the 55 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 18-29, five people were between the ages of 30-49, 10 were between the ages of 50-64, 21 were between the ages of 65-79, and 18 were aged 80 years or older. Of the 55 newly reported deaths, 49 had underlying health conditions.  To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 31,138.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,807,057 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is .9%.

There are 666 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,503,600 individuals, with 22% of people testing positive.

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov including:

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

For more information: Cases through 12:00pm 3/8/2022

 

Total Cases

NEW

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

2,807,057

1157

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*

2,654,421

1059

— Long Beach

124,837

88

— Pasadena

27,799

10

Deaths

31,138

55

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

29,504

55

— Long Beach

1,232

0

— Pasadena

402

0

Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

– 0 to 4

81575

– 5 to 11

236522

– 12 to 17

230898

– 18 to 29

591230

– 30 to 49

846142

– 50 to 64

439341

– 65 to 79

170378

–  over 80

55470

–  Under Investigation

2865

Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  Female

1349391

–  Male

1230301

–  Other

998

–  Under Investigation

73731

Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

4887

–  Asian

161847

–  Black

133144

–  Hispanic/Latino

1218716

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

13578

–  White

339232

–  Other

291088

–  Under Investigation

491929

Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

134711

**DATA  Under reported

Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

72

–  Asian

3696

–  Black

2723

–  Hispanic/Latino

15219

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

105

–  White

7294

–  Other

301

–  Under Investigation

94