{"id":38231,"date":"2021-07-29T18:38:31","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T01:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=38231"},"modified":"2021-07-29T18:38:31","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T01:38:31","slug":"vaccines-continue-to-provide-powerful-protection-against-the-delta-variant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=38231","title":{"rendered":"Vaccines Continue to Provide Powerful Protection Against the Delta Variant"},"content":{"rendered":"

3,248 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and 17 New Deaths<\/em><\/h3>\n

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is reporting 3,248 new cases of COVID-19, a 17% increase over last week. The daily average case rate is now 15.7 cases per 100,000 people, an increase of 21.7% from last week\u2019s rate of 12.9 cases per 100,000 people. This is a significantly smaller rate of increase than seen last week, where cases increased over 80% from the prior week.<\/p>\n

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Over the last few weeks, case rates have risen precipitously among unvaccinated people. In June, 80% of all new cases were among those not vaccinated. While cases are also rising among vaccinated people, this increase is smaller and slower than it is in unvaccinated people. Between May 1 and July 17 of this year, our county had 3,167 hospitalized COVID cases: 92% were among unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, and 8%, were among those fully vaccinated. These trends contribute the certainty that the vaccines are working as intended: although vaccinated people are seeing a rise in new COVID diagnoses, they are primarily experiencing their infections not as severe illnesses that bring them to the emergency room, but as bad colds. As the data shows, unvaccinated people simply cannot have the same level of confidence that an infection with this virus will lead to mild illness.<\/p>\n

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To date, Public Health has identified 1,293,450 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,675 deaths. Of the 17 new deaths reported today, four people that passed away were over the age of 80, three people that passed away were between the ages of 65 and 79 years old, and 10 people who passed away were between the ages of 50 and 64 years old.<\/p>\n

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Testing results are available for nearly 7,300,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 5.17%, an increase of less than half a percentage point (0.44) from last week\u2019s rate of 4.73%, which was itself an increase of nearly a full percentage point over the previous week. This also suggests that our rate of increase may be stabilizing.<\/p>\n

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Specimens sequenced by several labs serving Southern California, including the L.A. County Public Health lab show the Delta variant is on the rise. Sequences collected between July 18 and 24 show that the Delta variant was isolated in 96% of the 675 specimens sequenced that week. This is consistent with the rise of Delta nationwide and CDC estimates. Given nearly 4 million residents in L.A. County are not yet vaccinated, risk of increased spread of this variant within our County remains extremely high. This now-predominant strain is more efficiently transmitted between people, likely due to its faster replication, higher viral load, and greater affinity for lower respiratory tract cells compared with earlier COVID strains.<\/p>\n

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With high rates of transmission in the county, Public Health remains focused on mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of the virus. The most powerful tool we have for lowering viral transmission remains vaccinations. There is ample data and science that prove the vaccines are both safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor all of those in our County who have lost a loved one to COVID-19, we extend our deepest condolences to you and your family,\u201d said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. \u201cVaccinations are critically important to reducing the impact of rising infection on our residents. The\u00a0science<\/a>\u00a0on this variant shows that it is different from earlier variants of COVID: it replicates faster and more efficiently in respiratory tract cells, which means that infected people may now spread up to 1,000 times more virus particles with every cough, sneeze, or shout than they did a year ago. They may also spread the virus efficiently 2 days earlier in their illness course than did people who were infected a year ago. A more infectious variant indicates infected people have more opportunities to transmit the virus and can do so more efficiently before they realize they were even exposed. And while vaccinated people are extremely unlikely to get severely ill from COVID, there is a small risk of getting infected, and transmitting the virus. This is why we are asking everyone to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Increased circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant\u00a0is\u00a0leading to\u00a0case increases\u00a0across\u00a0all\u00a0racial and ethnic groups.\u00a0In keeping with recent trends,\u00a0over the month preceding July\u00a017,\u00a0all groups\u00a0saw\u00a0an\u00a0increase\u00a0in cases, with\u00a0the highest case rate observed among Black residents, whose case rate\u00a0rose\u00a0from 43\u00a0cases per 100,000 people to\u00a0181\u00a0cases per 100,000 people, an\u00a0increase\u00a0of\u00a0320%. There were also\u00a0significant increases in case rates for all groups,\u00a0with\u00a0increases of\u00a0182% in Latinx residents,\u00a0361% in White residents, and\u00a0371% in Asian residents.\u00a0The more recent case incidence rate in Black residents is more than twice that in White residents,\u00a0and\u00a0also important to note\u00a0that now White residents,\u00a0who have traditionally experienced\u00a0lower case\u00a0rates than Latinx and Black residents,\u00a0are\u00a0the group with the next highest case rate.<\/p>\n

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Over the same interval, hospitalization rates have been trending upward by 35 to 90% in Black, Latinx, and Asian residents, and we have seen deaths begin to trend upward among Black, Latinx, White and Asian residents by 71%.<\/p>\n

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To find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit:\u00a0www.VaccinateLACounty.com<\/a>\u00a0(<\/wbr>English) and\u00a0www.VacunateLosAngeles.com<\/a><\/wbr>\u00a0(Spanish). If you don\u2019t have internet access, can\u2019t use a computer, or you\u2019re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments and photo identification are not needed for adults 18 and older at any of the county vaccination sites.<\/p>\n

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COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website,\u00a0www.publichealth.<\/wbr>lacounty.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Please see additional information below:<\/p>\n

\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Total Cases<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

NEW<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Laboratory Confirmed Cases<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1293450<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3248<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1226022<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3079<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

— Long Beach<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55643<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

140<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

— Pasadena<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11,785<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Deaths<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24675<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

— Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23372<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

— Long Beach<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

951<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

— Pasadena<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

352<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 0 to 4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30638<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 5 to 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

59199<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 12 to 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

73410<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 18 to 29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

293400<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 30 to 49<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

409060<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 50 to 64<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

233230<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

– 65 to 79<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

92706<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 over 80<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

33696<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Under Investigation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

683<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Female<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

621116<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Male<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

581321<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Other<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

667<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Under Investigation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22918<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Race\/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 American Indian\/Alaska Native<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2082<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Asian<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

58659<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Black<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52834<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Hispanic\/Latino<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

647993<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Native Hawaiian\/Pacific Islander<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4447<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 White<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

139795<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Other<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

103790<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Under Investigation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

216422<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Hospitalized (Ever)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

92290<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Deaths Race\/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 American Indian\/Alaska Native<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Asian<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3179<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Black<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1955<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Hispanic\/Latino<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12539<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Native Hawaiian\/Pacific Islander<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

69<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 White<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5379<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Other<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

165<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

–\u00a0 Under Investigation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

34<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

3,248 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38231","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ca-local","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38231","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38231"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38232,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38231\/revisions\/38232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}