The Los Angeles Post

Residents Can Enjoy a Safe Thanksgiving with Sensible Health Safety Measures

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3,077 New Positive Cases and 10 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

As many gather with friends and families to celebrate Thanksgiving this week, residents are urged to take steps to protect the most vulnerable people at gatherings from, and to prevent transmission of, COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Layering in simple measures, such as being up-to-date on vaccines, testing, staying home when sick, and increasing ventilation can help ensure a safe and happy holiday. These simple steps can result in less disruptions and illness and can protect the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

Currently, LA County is experiencing high levels of circulating respiratory viruses. To help reduce transmission it is strongly recommended that everyone wears a well-fitting respirator mask in indoor public spaces and when traveling. This includes when using public transit such as buses, ride shares, taxis and medical transport.

In recent weeks, new strains of COVID-19 appear to be gaining dominance, including BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, sublineages of BA.5. The bivalent booster is likely to be effective against new strains of BA.5 as it is formulated to protect against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. All residents age 5 and older are urged to get the new updated Fall COVID-19 booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID vaccine.

The updated Fall COVID-19 boosters, plus flu vaccines, are readily available at Public Health sites, pharmacies, and other locations across the county. 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 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.

Residents can also go to VaccinateLACounty.com to find nearby vaccination sites, request a mobile vaccination team for your worksite or community event, or an in-home visit if you or someone you know is homebound.

COVID-19 testing is also important before and after attending gatherings. When hosting an event, consider asking guests to take a home COVID-19 test before they visit. If you are going to a gathering and you know there will be an older person there or others who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, test before you arrive. If you test positive, cancel your plans and isolate at home away from others, even if you feel well.  If you test positive you risk getting others sick and spreading COVID-19.

Many pharmacies offer COVID-19 home tests, and they may be covered by your insurance. Tests are also available at your doctor’s office or health center. If you need help finding a doctor, call 2-1-1 or visit 211LA.  To find county test sites go to: https://dhs.lacounty.gov/covid-19/testing/. And to find a local health center that offers free testing, visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19.

It’s also important if you are sick, to stay home. If you are coughing, sneezing, have a runny nose, a fever, or other possible symptoms of a respiratory virus, it is not worth the risk of infecting others.  People should stay home, rest, and recover and not risk passing an infection on to others.

Improving ventilation in the home remains an effective strategy for reducing transmission of respiratory viruses. If it is not too cold, stay outdoors as much as possible. When inside, open windows or a screen door and use fans to move the air. If you have an HVAC system in your home, set the fan to ‘on’ and make sure your filters are installed properly. You can also use a portable high efficiency air cleaners – also referred to as HEPA air purifiers. Improving ventilation in your home, as well as gathering in larger rooms where people are spaced apart and moving celebrations outside can help reduce the transmission of airborne illnesses.

The 7-day average case count in the county is 1,971, a 39% increase from one week ago when the 7-day average of 1,415 cases was reported.

Over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in LA County hospitals is at 699, an increase of 30% from last week when daily COVID-positive patients per day was 539.

Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks, remain at about 8 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. “As we prepare to gather for the Thanksgiving holiday, I send my very best wishes to all LA County residents and their loved ones for a joyous celebration.  We are grateful for the support and kindness residents have shown each other as together we respond to the continued challenges of COVID-19.  As we look forward to other upcoming winter holidays, getting vaccinated with the new updated Fall COVID-19 booster offers you and your family additional protection as you make plans to travel, shop and gather with those you love. If we continue to care and protect each other by getting the new bivalent booster and wearing masks indoors we are also helping to reduce stress on our healthcare system and protect dedicated workforce members. The service of essential workers is truly something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.”

Today, Public Health reported 10 additional deaths and 3,077 new positive cases. Of the 10 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 30 to 49, six people were between the ages of 65-79, and three people were aged 80 years or older.  Of the 10 newly reported deaths, eight had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 34,135.

Public Health has reported a total of 3,524,896 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 9.4%.

There are 794 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 12,706,000 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:

Cases through 12:00pm 11/22/2022

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,524,896

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

3,334,093

— Long Beach

153,761

— Pasadena

37,042

Deaths

34,135

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

32,363

— Long Beach

1,338

— Pasadena

434

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

– 0 to 4

105,245

– 5 to 11

276,675

– 12 to 17

271,000

– 18 to 29

725,687

– 30 to 49

1,072,320

– 50 to 64

568,557

– 65 to 79

234,346

–  over 80

77,889

–  Under Investigation

2,374

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

–  Female

1,713,743

–  Male

1,532,178

–  Other

1,631

–  Under Investigation

86,541

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

6,326

–  Asian

241,366

–  Black

172,255

–  Hispanic/Latino

1,439,816

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

16,918

–  White

456,399

–  Other

378,743

–  Under Investigation

622,270

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

160,189

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

77

–  Asian

4,127

–  Black

3,028

–  Hispanic/Latino

16,214

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

112

–  White

8,364

–  Other

363

–  Under Investigation

78