The Los Angeles Post

As Cases Remain Elevated, Public Health Expands COVID-19 Therapeutics Network in Under-Resourced Communities to More than 300 Locations

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2,056 New Positive Cases and 12 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Ensuring easy, convenient, and readily available access to therapeutics to treat COVID-19 can prevent severe illness or death. With many residents living in under-resourced communities at elevated risk, Public Health is working to increase information sharing and distribution of COVID-19 antivirals in these communities.

While many people with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, some are at higher risk for severe illness and may be eligible to receive therapeutics. 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 therapeutics that include oral medications Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, or injectable treatments such as Bebtelovimab or Remdesivir. 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 used to prevent COVID-19 infections.

Residents that do not have access to a clinical provider can call the COVID-19 information line at (833) 540-0473 between 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.

To ensure that residents have ready access to these critical therapeutics, Public Health is building a vast network of health care providers and pharmacies that can provide information and prescribe these medications, particularly in under-resourced communities.  Currently, there are 593 sites providing antivirals across the entire County, with 326 sites located in under-resourced neighborhoods. There are also 74 “Test to Treat” programs offered at CVS Minute Clinics, Walgreens, and community clinics that allow patients to get tested and treated on the same visit at the same location. Residents can view the “Test to Treat” locations by visiting http://www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines.

This month, Public Health launched our new COVID-19 Medication Telehealth Service, which helps residents assess their eligibility for these treatments and, if eligible, arranges for them to receive the medication.

Individuals who are determined by our Telehealth provider to be eligible for oral antivirals can choose to be referred to their provider or a Test to Treat site to receive the medications; or they can have a prescription sent to a nearby pharmacy; or have the medication shipped to them overnight at no charge.

Residents who think that they may be a candidate for therapeutics or have questions can call (833) 540-0473 or visit http://www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines or www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicamentos. Public Health staff is available 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm. Since it was launched, Public Health’s Medication Telehealth Service has assisted more than 360 residents by answering questions, helping residents navigate the process, and connecting them with these lifesaving therapeutics.

As of April 15, Public Health has distributed 32,000 doses of Paxlovid, 44,180 doses of Molnupiravir, and 18,744 doses of Evusheld, with 62% of Paxlovid doses, 77% of Molnupiravir doses, and 58% of Evusheld allocated to residents living in under-resourced communities in the County.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one from COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Increasing access to life-saving therapeutics is an essential component of the County’s post-surge plan as the new medicines reduce the number of infected individuals experiencing severe illness. In particular, our efforts are focused on making sure that residents and workers in low-resourced communities can easily get information and timely access to these new medicines. The Public Health Medication Telehealth Service is free and makes it easy for those who have tested positive to call our service and speak with a clinician who can assess whether anti-viral treatment is appropriate and then ensure rapid access to the medication.    Given the continued increase in cases, we encourage residents testing positive who are at risk of severe illness to not delay seeking these therapeutics from either their own provider or our telehealth program.”

Today, Public Health reported 12 additional deaths and 2,056 new positive cases of COVID-19. Of the 12 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 50-64, seven people were between the ages of 65-79, and three people were aged 80 years or older. Of the 12 newly reported deaths, 10 had underlying health conditions. Additional 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 31,924.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,859,799 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 1.6%.

There are 219 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,811,000, 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 4/21/2022

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

2,859,799

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

2,705,470

— Long Beach

125,834

— Pasadena

28,495

Deaths

31,924

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

30,245

— Long Beach

1,265

— Pasadena

414

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

– 0 to 4

83120

– 5 to 11

240376

– 12 to 17

234662

– 18 to 29

603044

– 30 to 49

863227

– 50 to 64

447994

– 65 to 79

174273

–  over 80

56669

–  Under Investigation

2105

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

–  Female

1376173

–  Male

1253320

–  Other

1143

–  Under Investigation

74834

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

4969

–  Asian

167382

–  Black

135865

–  Hispanic/Latino

1232642

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

13686

–  White

350232

–  Other

299896

–  Under Investigation

500798

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

137,101

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

73

–  Asian

3774

–  Black

2803

–  Hispanic/Latino

15545

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

111

–  White

7534

–  Other

311

–  Under Investigation

94