The Los Angeles Post

Easy Access to Therapeutics Critical to Providing an Additional Layer of Protection for Residents at Elevated Risk

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714 New Positive Cases and 27 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Building a network of well-supplied, convenient locations to access therapeutics, especially in communities hardest hit by COVID-19, is critical for the County as it works to protect residents at elevated risk of severe illness. In addition to the vaccines, COVID-19 therapeutics offer an additional layer of protection, and Public Health continues efforts to expand the network of pharmacies and other locations that can offer easy access to these treatments.

Residents who test positive for COVID-19 and are at elevated risk for severe illness should promptly call their doctor to see if they qualify for one of the outpatient treatments such as the new oral medications (Paxlovid and Molnupiravir) or injectable treatments (Sotrovimab, Bebtelovimab or Remdesivir). These treatments work best when taken as soon as possible after symptom onset. Residents who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons or whose immune system is not strong enough to mount a response to the vaccine should speak to their provider about Evusheld, an injectable medicine that is used to prevent COVID-19 infections.

The federal government “Test to Treat” program includes 20 CVS Minute Clinics in LA County and is soon expanding to additional sites, including several Walgreens locations, in LA County. These additional locations will be announced soon and will allow patients to walk into local pharmacies and clinics with onsite clinics and get tested and treated on the same visit at the same location.

CVS encourages residents to make a Minute Clinic appointment online with a request to get the COVID test or if they have a test result that they are positive. If the residents have health insurance, they should include their insurance info when making the appointment. Residents are also strongly recommended to wear a medical mask or a respirator when entering a “Test to Treat” location. If the resident tests positive, an onsite clinician will evaluate if they are at high risk and eligible for therapeutics. If eligible, the clinician will prescribe the medication for pick up at the onsite pharmacy. Walk-ups are allowed, although not preferred. Residents can find current “Test to Treat” locations in LA County at: ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines.

More eligible residents are receiving these treatments through pharmacies, partners, and providers. To date, Public Health has distributed 24,080 doses of Paxlovid, 40,988 doses of Molnupiravir, and 14,568 doses of Evusheld, with 68% of Paxlovid doses, 80% of Molnupiravir doses, and 64% of Evusheld allocated to residents in the most under-resourced communities in the County.

To find therapeutics available at neighborhood pharmacies, individuals can search at:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Test-to-treat-locations.aspx.

Residents can also visit the Federal therapeutics locator 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.

“We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one from COVID,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As therapeutics become an increasingly important strategy for our post-surge plan, Public Health is concerned about the potential loss of federal funding needed to address the ongoing pandemic. The loss of this funding, which would also impact testing, vaccinations, boosters, masks, and other treatments, threatens our recovery and will result in increased risk for communities that have already borne the brunt of COVID-19. Without the ability to secure additional live-saving treatments, our ability to continue increasing access to these therapeutics will evaporate, and we urge Congress to provide states and local public health departments with the funding needed to effectively continue the COVID-19 response.”

Today, Public Health reported 27 additional deaths, and 714 new positive cases of COVID-19. Of the 27 new deaths reported today, three people were between the ages of 50-64, seven were between the ages of 65-79, and 14 were aged 80 years or older. Of the 27 newly reported deaths, all 27 people had underlying health conditions. Information on the two deaths reported by the City of Long Beach, and one person reported by the City of Pasadena is available at www.LongBeach.gov and www.CityofPasadena.net.  To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 31,535.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,826,928 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Note that 149 additional cases have been added to the cumulative total of positive cases due to a backlog of cases from the surge. Today’s positivity rate is 0.7%.

There are 378 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,627,300 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 3/22/2022

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

2,826,928

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

2,673,526

— Long Beach

125,417

— Pasadena

27,985

Deaths

31,535

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

29,868

— Long Beach

1,258

— Pasadena

409

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

– 0 to 4

82191

– 5 to 11

238055

– 12 to 17

232472

– 18 to 29

594926

– 30 to 49

852299

– 50 to 64

442761

– 65 to 79

171900

–  over 80

55996

–  Under Investigation

2926

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

–  Female

1359381

–  Male

1239220

–  Other

1009

–  Under Investigation

73916

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

4910

–  Asian

163065

–  Black

133948

–  Hispanic/Latino

1223601

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

13585

–  White

342292

–  Other

297029

–  Under Investigation

495096

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

135,859

**DATA  Under reported

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

73

–  Asian

3733

–  Black

2754

–  Hispanic/Latino

15391

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

110

–  White

7403

–  Other

309

–  Under Investigation

95