The Los Angeles Post

Getting the New Bivalent COVID-19 Booster and Flu Vaccine Can Reduce Severe Illness and Help Protect the Healthcare System from Becoming Overwhelmed This Winter

by · Published · Updated

1,220 New Positive Cases and 11 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

With three serious respiratory illnesses already circulating in LA County, the healthcare system is likely to see an increased demand for medical care for those with severe illness.  Already, ahead of a possible winter COVID-19 surge, flu cases in LA County are more than double what has been reported in October for the past five years; 11.3% of specimens from clinical laboratories in the county tested positive for influenza in mid-October, with the number of cases rapidly rising.

The higher number of flu cases has already impacted the health care system with 23% of newborn-to-4-year-olds seen at emergency departments in October experiencing influenza-like illness. The data also shows that about 17% of 5-11-year-olds at emergency departments had influenza-like illness.

There has also been an increase this October in respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, which can cause serious illness in both the very young and the elderly. Currently, 12% of lab specimens are testing positive for RSV which is higher than the peak observed during 2019-20, and on par with the peak of the 2021-2022 season.  And already, 7% of emergency department visits among children newborn-4 are related to RSV, an unusually high number for October.

While we are not yet seeing a major increase in pediatric bed utilization, high levels of flu and RSV cases, coupled with a possible winter COVID-19 surge, could easily stress the healthcare system later this fall. Fortunately, there are some simple actions we can take to prevent respiratory illness: getting the annual seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 Fall booster, washing hands frequently, staying home if you have symptoms of respiratory illness, and wearing a well-fitting, high filtration mask when indoors.

It’s also important to test for COVID-19 and if there are persistent or significant symptoms, to immediately check with a healthcare provider because they are able to provide additional tests and appropriate treatment for Flu, RSV, and COVID-19.

The flu and the updated COVID-19 Fall boosters are also readily available at Public Health sites, pharmacies, and other locations across the county; to find a site near you call 2 – 1 – 1 (LA County Info Line) or enter your zip code at VaccineFinder.org

Seniors and residents who can’t easily leave their home can contact Public Health telehealth services at (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm to arrange for an at-home COVID-19 Fall booster and primary series vaccinations or transportation to a vaccination center. Insurance is not required, and callers can be assisted in multiple languages.

The 7-day average COVID-19 case count in the county is 988, a 13% increase from one week ago when the 7-day average of 874 cases was reported.

Over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-19-positive patients in LA County hospitals declined slightly to 389 from one week ago when the average number of daily COVID-19-positive patients per day was 404.

Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks, remain stable at about 10 deaths reported each day this past week.

“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. “It is important to remember that viruses are a part of the natural world.  This is not something we can control, but it is something we can prepare for and plan around.  Be aware of symptoms, stay home when you are sick, and make sure you are taking advantage of the powerful vaccines, tests, medications, and other resources that are available. Over seven million people in LA County face waning immunity from their previous vaccine and booster doses, and with few community-wide safety measures in place, more people may be vulnerable this fall and winter. Getting vaccinated for flu and boosted for COVID-19 is likely to help keep many of us out of the hospital, which could help keep the healthcare system from being overwhelmed.”

Today, Public Health reported 11 additional deaths and 1,220 new positive cases. Of the 11 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 30-49, two people were between the ages of 50-64, six people were between the ages of 65-79, and two people were aged 80 years or older.  Of the 11 newly reported deaths, all had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 33,951.

Public Health has reported a total of 3,485,787 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 3.9%.

There are 407 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 12,636,979 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:

For more information:

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,485,769

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

3,296,799

— Long Beach

152,472

— Pasadena

36,498

Deaths

33,933

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

32,162

— Long Beach

1,336

— Pasadena

435

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

– 0 to 4

104,150

– 5 to 11

275,516

– 12 to 17

269,659

– 18 to 29

719,059

– 30 to 49

1,060,547

– 50 to 64

560,315

– 65 to 79

229,575

–  over 80

75,596

–  Under Investigation

2,382

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

–  Female

1,693,231

–  Male

1,515,844

–  Other

1,568

–  Under Investigation

86,156

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

6,250

–  Asian

236,880

–  Black

169,987

–  Hispanic/Latino

1,427,523

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

16,737

–  White

449,548

–  Other

373,911

–  Under Investigation

615,963

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

157,761

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

75

–  Asian

4,083

–  Black

3,008

–  Hispanic/Latino

16,154

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

111

–  White

8,288

–  Other

364

–  Under Investigation

79