The Los Angeles Post

Protecting Workers and the Elderly Remains Everyone’s Responsibility as Transmission Remains High

by ·

2,151 New Positive Cases and 4 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

With increases in the number of cases, hospitalizations, outbreaks at worksites, and the test positivity rate, Public Health encourages everyone to layer in additional protections to safeguard those most vulnerable, especially workers and the elderly.

Cases continue to increase in LA County, as the average number of daily new cases reported over the last seven days increased to 4,442 from one month ago when the number reported was 1,935 – an increase of 130%.

The seven-day average test positivity rate also increased when compared to one month ago. The rate today is 4%, more than double from what it was one month ago on April 30 when the seven-day average test positivity rate was 1.8%.

While hospitalizations remain relatively modest, higher case numbers have translated to an increase in the number of people hospitalized. Over the last seven days, the average number of COVID-positive patients per day in LA County hospitals was 452, an increase of 92% from one month ago when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 236.

Older adults are substantially more likely to require hospitalization than younger individuals and the number of older adults requiring hospitalization has increased significantly with this latest surge in cases.  On April 23, the COVID hospitalization rate for residents 80 years old and older was 37 per 100,000 people. One month later, on May 23, the hospitalization rate for residents 80 years old and older was 67 per 100,000 people, an 82% increase.

With high rates of transmission, outbreaks across many sectors are also increasing. One month ago, for the two-week period ending May 2, there were 14 outbreaks opened at skilled nursing facilities, 15 outbreaks opened among people experiencing homelessness, and 40 outbreaks opened at worksites. For the two-week period ending May 30, there were 35 outbreaks opened at skilled nursing facilities (150% increase), 32 outbreaks opened among people experiencing homelessness (113% increase), and 62 outbreaks opened at worksites (55% increase). Outbreaks at schools remained high with 28 outbreaks opened during the two-week period ending May 30.

And while many of those infected experience mild or moderate illness, the risk is not equally distributed.  Older people and those with chronic health conditions remain at higher risk, even if vaccinated.  With the most infectious variants to date circulating across LA County, reducing possible exposures makes a difference, particularly for those working at jobs that put them in close contact with many other workers and customers during the course of the day.

“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 high rates of transmission across LA County, there is increased risk that our most vulnerable, including essential workers and the elderly, can get infected, seriously ill, or tragically pass away. And with outbreaks increasing across nearly every sector, protecting those most vulnerable becomes everyone’s responsibility. The most important steps we can take is to be up-to-date on vaccinations and boosters, wear a mask indoors when around others, and get tested if we feel sick, were exposed, or are gathering with others. When we take these steps, we take care of each other.”

Today, Public Health reported four additional deaths and 2,151 new positive cases today. The lower number of cases and deaths likely reflect reporting delays over the holiday weekend. Of the four new deaths reported today, two were between the ages of 65-79 and two were aged 80 years or older. Of the 4 newly reported deaths, all had underlying health conditions.  To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 32,133.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,976,323 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 4.0%.

There are 479 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 12,017,244 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:

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

2,976,323

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

2,817,229

— Long Beach

129,028

— Pasadena

30,066

Deaths

32,133

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

30,442

— Long Beach

1,276

— Pasadena

415

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

– 0 to 4

86441

– 5 to 11

250300

– 12 to 17

245252

– 18 to 29

626905

– 30 to 49

899571

– 50 to 64

465645

– 65 to 79

182138

–  over 80

58893

–  Under Investigation

2084

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

–  Female

1435797

–  Male

1303123

–  Other

1259

–  Under Investigation

77050

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

5180

–  Asian

182376

–  Black

141692

–  Hispanic/Latino

1263974

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

14282

–  White

374324

–  Other

312739

–  Under Investigation

522662

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)***

139,102

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

73

–  Asian

3809

–  Black

2822

–  Hispanic/Latino

15625

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

111

–  White

7607

–  Other

306

–  Under Investigation

89