L.A. County Sees Increase in COVID-19 Outbreaks

Covid-19 Vaccine Bottle Mockup (does not depict actual vaccine). By Daniel Schludi.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or Public Health is currently investigating 55 ongoing outbreaks; a 25% increase from the 44 ongoing outbreak investigations reported a month ago.

While the increase in outbreak investigations is concerning, Public Health notes the number of outbreaks is still much lower than the 1,130 outbreak investigations that were reported in mid-February.

Of the outbreak investigations reported today, 20% are related to outbreaks in non-healthcare and non-residential workplaces.

The best protection against COVID-19 for workers is to be fully vaccinated. Because of increased transmission of COVID-19 and circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant in L.A. County, Public Health encourages everyone who is not vaccinated and are eligible to get vaccinated, to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated for COVID-19 to get fully vaccinated as schools and colleges start for the 2021 -2022 school year. If you begin your two-dose series for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines this week, it will allow enough time to be fully protected by the start of the school year. For all of the vaccines, you are only considered fully protected two weeks after all doses are complete.

Public Health has confirmed 1,059 new cases of COVID-19. The number of cases and deaths likely reflect reporting delays over the weekend. Today’s reported COVID-19 death occurred in a person between the ages of 50 and 64 years old. To date, Public Health identified 1,258,685 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,543 deaths.

There are 372 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for nearly 7,120,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 2.8%.

Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more. If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re 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.

Details: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Terelle Jerricks

During his two decade tenure, he has investigated, reported on, written and assisted with hundreds of stories related to environmental concerns, affordable housing, development that exacerbates wealth inequality and the housing crisis, labor issues and community policing or the lack thereof.