COVID-19 Case Rates Increased Among Children Ages 5 to 11

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or Public Health reports case rates have been increasing most rapidly among children 5 to 11, who are not eligible for vaccination. 

Between August 14 and August 21, the case rate increased 50% among children 5 to 11, while the rate increased 13% in children 0 to 4 years old, and 24% in children 12 to 17 years old. 

Over the last week, as the case rate dropped 2 to 4% in the oldest and youngest age groups, the rate continued to rise 9% among 5 to 11 year old’s. With increased numbers of children not yet vaccinated heading back to schools, layered protections are essential.

Between Aug. 15 and 21, among the 12 to 17-year-old teens who are eligible for vaccine, unvaccinated teens had 8 times the risk of infection than those teens vaccinated, with 480 cases among every 100,000 unvaccinated children in this age group compared with 57 cases among 100,000 of those vaccinated.  Among groups ineligible for vaccination, the case rate was 132 per 100,000 children aged 0 to 4, and 293 per 100,000 children aged 5 to 11.

As of Aug. 29, 60% of L.A. County residents 12 to 15 years old have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 48% were fully vaccinated. Sixty-eight percent of teens 16 to 17 years old have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 57% were fully vaccinated. 

The most powerful strategy for keeping schools open is increasing vaccination numbers as fast as possible. If all eligible children and staff at schools were vaccinated, the county would dramatically reduce transmission both in school settings and in after-school sports programs and extracurricular activities. 

In K-12 school settings countywide, between Aug. 15 to 29, 5,207 student cases and 729 staff cases were reported, with the vast majority occurring at LAUSD, which tests everyone weekly. 

An outbreak is when three or more cases with probable transmission occur at schools or school activities. It is worth noting that of the 17 school outbreaks that opened in August, 47% were associated with school sports. 

Teens 12 and over can receive Pfizer vaccine at any County and city sites without an appointment. Many school districts and individual schools are also offering vaccinations over the next few weeks.  

Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) 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.

Details: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.