The Los Angeles Post

Seniors, People Living in High Poverty Areas Remain Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19

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1,534 New Positive Cases and 25 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Most COVID-19 metrics, except for the sobering rise in deaths, are better than anticipated at this point in the post-holiday season and when compared to past winters. The absence of a post winter holiday spike in cases and hospitalizations may reflect the new tools available to blunt the impact of COVID, and the preventative health measures taken by residents and workers.

Los Angeles County remains in the Medium Community level, with a case rate of 122 new cases per 100,000 people and a hospital admission rate of 11.9 per 100,000 people.

Yet despite these promising trendlines, some individuals are at significantly greater risk for serious outcomes should they become infected.

Hospitalization rates for people 80 and older are nearly three times higher than for people 65- to 79-years-old in Los Angeles County, according to the most recent 90-day data. And the death rate for that same age group is nearly five times higher when compared to people ages 65 to 79.

In addition, when compared to people ages 50 to 64, residents who are 65- to 79-years-old have hospitalization rates that are more than three times higher, and the number of deaths per 100,000 people is more than five times higher.

Residents who live in communities with high rates of poverty also are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.  Many are part of our essential workforce who, by the very nature of their jobs, are in close contact with other workers and customers, increasing their exposure to COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, particularly during times of high community transmission.

Hospitalization and death rates are nearly double for people living in the county’s poorest neighborhoods, where more than 30 percent of households live in poverty, compared to those residing in the wealthiest neighborhoods, according to data for the 90-day period ending Jan. 3.

To help minimize the impact of COVID-19, especially on the most vulnerable family, friends and community members, here are a few other simple steps everyone can take to protect themselves, the people they love and their community:

Vaccinations and Boosters: Being up to date on vaccinations and boosters is essential. The updated bivalent booster is readily available at Public Health sites, pharmacies, and other locations across the county. Seniors and residents who can’t easily leave their home may contact Public Health telehealth services at (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. to arrange for at-home COVID-19 bivalent booster and primary series vaccinations or transportation to a vaccination center. Residents also may go to VaccinateLACounty.com or VacunateLosAngeles.com (en español).

Masking: Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask (such as N95s, KN95s, and KN94s) in public indoor spaces. Mask for 10 days after engaging in high-risk activities, such as traveling, attending large gatherings, or being exposed to a confirmed case. Ten days is the average incubation period of COVID-19 when the virus can spread before a person has symptom.

Testing: Testing at home is critical before gatherings, after a known exposure to the virus, or if experiencing symptoms. For more information go to ph.lacounty.gov/COVIDtests. Each household can receive four free tests from the federal government by visiting COVIDtests.gov.

Treatment: If you have possible symptoms of COVID-19 or flu, speak to a health care provider to see if you are eligible for a therapeutics prescription. To be effective, Paxlovid for COVID should be started within five days of symptom onset and Tamiflu, to treat influenza or flu, should be started withing two days of first symptoms.

Providers are available to answer questions about symptoms, give advice, and prescribe medications if appropriate, which can be shipped to a resident’s home, via telehealth services. This service is available seven days a week, from 8 am to 8:30 pm, by calling the Public Health Call Center at 1-833-540-0473. For additional COVID treatment options, visit a local test to treat site. Locations can be found at ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines

“I offer my sincere condolences to families and friends who continue to be impacted by COVID-19 and the death of a loved one,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., director of the county Department of Public Health. “Every day we strive to make choices that are best for us, our families, and the communities we live in.  The pandemic is not over; however, we have likely entered a new phase as we make use of all the advancements in vaccines, testing, and therapeutics.  Lower transmission protects everyone, especially those who are more vulnerable to severe illness or death. There may be challenges ahead, but I am encouraged by the current situation, especially compared to last year at this time. And I remain grateful for the many people of LA County taking steps to minimize the disease’s impact.”

LA County is reporting declines in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and increases in deaths.

The 7-day average case count in the county is 1,776, a 15% decrease from one week ago when the 7-day average of 2,111 cases was reported. And over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals is 1,114,  a decline of about 11%  from last week when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 1,247.

The county is currently reporting an average of 23 deaths per day, a decrease of 15% from the average of 20 deaths reported per day a week ago.

Today, Public Health reported 25 additional deaths and 1,534 new positive cases. To date, the total number of deaths in Los Angeles County is 34,969. There are 1,053 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized.

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:

  • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

  • California Department of Public Health:

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx

Spanish https://espanol.cdc.gov/enes/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 Cases through 12:00pm 1/12/2022

 

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,659,260

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

3,460,151

— Long Beach

160,144

— Pasadena

38,965

Deaths

34,969

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

33,168

— Long Beach

1,361

— Pasadena

440

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

– 0 to 4

109,004

– 5 to 11

279,915

– 12 to 17

274,752

– 18 to 29

746,124

– 30 to 49

1,111,908

– 50 to 64

597,748

– 65 to 79

251,804

–  over 80

86,459

–  Under Investigation

2,437

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

–  Female

1,782,831

–  Male

1,587,431

–  Other

1,725

–  Under Investigation

88,164

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

6,577

–  Asian

255,911

–  Black

180,474

–  Hispanic/Latino

1,485,065

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

17,444

–  White

477,049

–  Other

395,435

–  Under Investigation

642,196

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

–  Hospitalized (Ever)

168,519

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

–  American Indian/Alaska Native

77

–  Asian

4,274

–  Black

3,114

–  Hispanic/Latino

16,462

–  Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

114

–  White

8,663

–  Other

376

–  Under Investigation

88