The Los Angeles Post

As COVID-19 Metrics Improve in Los Angeles County, Residents Are Asked to Continue Precautions that Protect the Most Vulnerable

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3,227 New Positive Cases and 17 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Although Los Angeles County COVID-19 cases and hospitalization numbers are improving, transmission remains high, with increased risk for the elderly, the unvaccinated, people with serious health conditions, and workers in close contact with others.

Over the last seven days, the average number of daily new cases was 5,332, an 11% decrease from one week ago when the average number of daily new cases reported was 6,014. The test positivity rate has fallen slightly from 15.1% one week ago to 13.9% today.

Hospitalizations have also slightly decreased. Over the last seven days, the average number of COVID-positive patients per day in LA County hospitals was 1,225, a small decrease from one week ago when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 1,262. Additionally, using county hospital data with a one-day lag, the daily hospital admission rate remains below 10 new admissions at 9.7 new admissions per 100,000 people; if the hospital admission rate remains below 10 new daily admissions through Thursday, LA County will be moved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) High Community Level to the Medium Community Level.

Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks remain stable, with an average of 16 deaths reported per day this past week, compared to an average of 15 deaths one week ago.

Although transmission is declining, residents at elevated risk for severe illness should they become infected and those who care for them, should wear well-fitting, high filtration masks or respirators in indoor settings.  Because those who test positive can easily infect others in their homes, at work, and in the community, and some of those they infect may go on to experience moderate or severe illness, isolating away from others when positive, even if experiencing mild illness, is very important.

Anyone testing positive is required to remain isolated from others for a minimum of five days; if symptoms are resolving and a test taken on day five or later is negative, the person can exit isolation. Those exiting isolation after day five should continue to wear a well-fitting mask whenever around others. With many testing at home and results not reported to Public Health, those who test positive should notify anyone they were in close contact with in the 48 hours prior to their positive test result or COVID symptoms, whichever was first.  Close contacts should monitor themselves for symptoms and wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from their last exposure to the confirmed case.

“I send my deepest sympathies and wishes of peace and comfort to the many families who have lost a loved one from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we continue to see improvements in our metrics, we still must do all we can to protect those who are most vulnerable, including the elderly, immunocompromised, and our essential workers. By following practical safety measures, we can slow spread and prevent disruptions in our homes, worksites and schools, and most importantly, prevent unnecessary severe illness and deaths among our most vulnerable.  It still makes sense to both assess your own risk and the risk to those around you when you decide which safety measures are appropriate.  Given that transmission remains high, and the variant currently circulating is responsible for many reinfections, we encourage everyone to be cautious and layer in protections including testing before gathering, isolating away from others when infected or sick, and masking indoors.”

Today, Public Health reported 17 additional deaths and 3,227 new positive cases. Of the 17 new deaths reported today, two people were between the ages of 50-64, seven people were between the ages of 65-79, and eight people were aged 80 years or older. Of the 17 newly reported deaths, 16 had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 32,763.

Public Health has reported a total of 3,309,285 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 13.9%.

There are 1,242 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 12,349,250 individuals, with 24% 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:

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Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,309,285

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

3,130,255

— Long Beach

144,791

— Pasadena

34,239

Deaths

32,763

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

31,037

— Long Beach

1,304

— Pasadena

422

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

– 0 to 4

98128

– 5 to 11

267603

– 12 to 17

261891

– 18 to 29

688873

– 30 to 49

1006843

– 50 to 64

526022

– 65 to 79

210694

–  over 80

67991

–  Under Investigation

2210

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

–  Female

1602987

–  Male

1442055

–  Other

1440

–  Under Investigation

83773

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

5843

–  Asian

218360

–  Black

159057

–  Hispanic/Latino

1365031

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

15982

–  White

422314

–  Other

354212

–  Under Investigation

589456

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)***

146,671

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

73

–  Asian

3905

–  Black

2895

–  Hispanic/Latino

15797

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

111

–  White

7846

–  Other

322

–  Under Investigation

88