COVID-19 Update from The Department of Public Health

Los Angeles County is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. In just the past 4 weeks, cases have increased twenty-fold, from just 124 cases on June 21 to an average of more than 3,000 cases last week.

The test positivity rate has also skyrocketed, from 0.7% a little more than a month ago to 6.2% this week. Sadly, the number of people hospitalized from COVID-19 has also increased, reaching more than 1,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 this past weekend. This is a nearly four-fold increase in one month, as there were only 280 people hospitalized with COVID-19 illness on July 2nd. 

This increase is due to the more infectious Delta variant and the intermingling of unmasked individuals where vaccination status is unknown. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, you can: 

Get vaccinated. It is the best way to protect against COVID-19. 

Wear a mask that fits. Your mask is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect yourself and others. 

Avoid crowded places. Being in crowds, especially indoors, puts you at a higher risk. 

Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer often – especially after being in public spaces where surfaces are touched by many people. Avoid eating and touching your face with unwashed hands. 

Stay home when sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, talk to a doctor and get a test, even if you are fully vaccinated. You should stay home and away from others until you get the result of your COVID-19 test or until your provider tells you that you don’t have COVID-19.

Delta Variant in Los Angeles County 

Public Health is tracking the rise of the Delta variant.

Los Angeles County is experiencing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. In just the past 4 weeks, cases have increased twenty-fold, from just 124 cases on June 21 to an average of more than 3,000 cases last week.

The test positivity rate has also skyrocketed, from 0.7% a little more than a month ago to 6.2% this week. Sadly, the number of people hospitalized from COVID-19 has also increased, reaching more than 1,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 this past weekend. This is a nearly four-fold increase in one month, as there were only 280 people hospitalized with COVID-19 illness on July 2nd. 

This increase is due to the more infectious Delta variant and the intermingling of unmasked individuals where vaccination status is unknown. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, you can: 

Get vaccinated. It is the best way to protect against COVID-19. 

Wear a mask that fits. Your mask is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect yourself and others. 

Avoid crowded places. Being in crowds, especially indoors, puts you at a higher risk. 

Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer often – especially after being in public spaces where surfaces are touched by many people. Avoid eating and touching your face with unwashed hands. 

Stay home when sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, talk to a doctor and get a test, even if you are fully vaccinated. You should stay home and away from others until you get the result of your COVID-19 test or until your provider tells you that you don’t have COVID-19.

Delta Variant in Los Angeles County 

Public Health is tracking the rise of the Delta variant. Some early studies of the Delta variant suggest that its faster replication, higher viral load, and greater affinity for lower respiratory tract cells compared with earlier COVID strains make it more efficient at spreading from person to person. 

The Delta variant is currently the dominant strain in Los Angeles County, representing 96% of the specimens collected for sequencing between July 18 and 24. This is consistent with the rise of Delta nationwide, as just two weeks ago, the CDC estimated that Delta strains accounted for 83% of COVID-19 cases. 

While emerging data shows that fully vaccinated people are well protected from severe infections with Delta variants, people with only one vaccine are not as well-protected, and there is increased evidence that a small number of fully vaccinated individuals can become infected and are able to infect others. More than 90% of those recently hospitalized with COVID were unvaccinated, and 99% of those who have tragically died from COVID since January were unvaccinated.  

Details: COVID-19 Variants Frequently Asked Questions  

The Delta variant is currently the dominant strain in Los Angeles County, representing 96% of the specimens collected for sequencing between July 18 and 24. This is consistent with the rise of Delta nationwide, as just two weeks ago, the CDC estimated that Delta strains accounted for 83% of COVID-19 cases. 

While emerging data shows that fully vaccinated people are well protected from severe infections with Delta variants, people with only one vaccine are not as well-protected, and there is increased evidence that a small number of fully vaccinated individuals can become infected and are able to infect others. More than 90% of those recently hospitalized with COVID were unvaccinated, and 99% of those who have tragically died from COVID since January were unvaccinated.  

Details: COVID-19 Variants Frequently Asked Questions