The Los Angeles Post

Public Health Urges Vaccinations and Boosters as Positive Cases Increase at Schools and in the Community – 2,997 New Positive Cases and 7 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

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2,997 New Positive Cases and 7 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

With continued high transmission of the more infectious COVID-19 subvariants, the number of students and staff testing positive at K-12 schools in LA County increased for the fifth consecutive week with 3,151 students and 737 staff testing positive for the week ending May 1; this is a 322% increase from just one month ago. Test positivity, at 0.5%, has also increased by 163% this past month.

School-associated outbreaks remain elevated for the week ending May 7, with 16 outbreaks (seven in elementary schools, two in middle schools, and seven in high schools). One month ago, for the week ending April 9, there were 11 outbreaks (seven in elementary schools, one in a middle school, and three in high schools).

And while most children infected with COVID-19 experience relatively mild illness, there continues to be dozens of children experiencing long COVID and dozens hospitalized with more severe illness. During the 90-day period ending April 21, the youngest pediatric patients, ages 0-4-years-old, not yet eligible to receive the vaccines, had the highest hospitalization rate with 33 hospitalizations per 100,000 children. Children ages 12 to 17 had the second highest hospitalization rate with 14 hospitalizations per 100,000, and children ages 5 to 11 had the lowest hospitalization rate with 10 children hospitalized per 100,000.

Unvaccinated children continue to be more at risk for severe illness and hospitalization. During the 90-day period ending April 30, the hospitalization rate among unvaccinated children ages 5-11 was three times higher than the hospitalization rate among fully vaccinated children in the same age group. For unvaccinated children ages 12-17, during this same time period, the hospitalization rate was two times higher than the hospitalization rate among fully vaccinated children in the same age group.

Vaccines are approved for children ages five and older and are widely available. There are 218 school-based vaccine clinics this week. These school vaccine sites offer pediatric doses for ages 5-11, as well as vaccines and boosters for eligible individuals 12 years of age and older. As a reminder, vaccines continue to prevent severe illness and hospitalizations, and are the safest way to keep children in school and participating in other activities.

With high levels of community transmission, Public Health continues to strongly recommend that all students and staff wear well-fitting, high filtration masks, preferably respirators, when indoors.  Masking is required indoors for asymptomatic staff and students who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 for 10 days from their last exposure. Wearing a well-fitting, high filtration mask or respirator provides a strong layer of protection that can lower the risk of spreading the virus at schools and school-related activities.

“As always, we extend our deepest sympathies and prayers for healing to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one from COVID,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With the school year almost over, we all look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of students and staff.  When gathering with others, staff, students, and their families should consider all sensible safety measures to layer in as many protections as feasible.  Masking indoors at large events is particularly important to avoid the future disruptions that occur when the virus spreads to event attendees. Fortunately, with easy access to vaccines, boosters, testing, therapeutics, and high-quality masks, having a good time with others is easily possible to do without creating unnecessary risk for ourselves and those around us.”

Today, Public Health reported seven additional deaths and 2,997 new positive cases due to COVID. Of the seven new deaths reported today, two people were between the ages of 65-79 and five people were aged 80 years or older. Of the seven newly reported deaths, all had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 32,007.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,900,449 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 2.5%.

There are 249 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,906,697 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:

Please see additional information below:

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

2,900,449

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

2,744,412

— Long Beach

126,946

— Pasadena

29,091

Deaths

32,007

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

30,328

— Long Beach

1,265

— Pasadena

414

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

– 0 to 4

84313

– 5 to 11

243804

– 12 to 17

238151

– 18 to 29

611901

– 30 to 49

876015

– 50 to 64

453850

– 65 to 79

176916

–  over 80

57426

–  Under Investigation

2036

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

–  Female

1397001

–  Male

1270501

–  Other

1203

–  Under Investigation

75707

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

5044

–  Asian

172819

–  Black

137884

–  Hispanic/Latino

1242503

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

13879

–  White

358980

–  Other

304216

–  Under Investigation

509087

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)***

137,880

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

73

–  Asian

3786

–  Black

2811

–  Hispanic/Latino

15589

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

112

–  White

7559

–  Other

308

–  Under Investigation

90