As Pediatric Hospitalizations Increase and In-Person Learning Resumes, Parents and Children Are Urged to Take Precaution Amid Surging Transmission

According to Los Angeles Department of Public Health data, pediatric hospitalizations increased by nearly 190% between Dec. 4 and Dec. 25.  And while the numbers of children hospitalized remain very small, those 0-4 years old saw the biggest rise in rates with a 3.25-fold increase, followed by 12-to-17- year- old teens, who had a 3.0-fold increase, and 5-to-11 -year- old, who saw an increase of 1.5-fold. Cases among children have also increased by 207% from the two-week period starting on Nov. 8 to the two-week period ending on Dec. 26. 

With pediatric cases and hospitalizations rising and many children returning to in-person learning this week, Public Health asks that everyone focus on following the public health safety measures that reduce spread including wearing a medical grade mask indoors and in outdoor crowded spaces; testing all staff and students before or during the first few days of schools reopening; and strictly adhering to the revised quarantine and isolation requirements outlined in the LA County Health Officer Order issued on Dec. 31. Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, these are critical steps to help reduce transmission in the community and at schools.

This week, in an effort to increase capacity at schools to offer testing to returning students, LA County Public Health and the LA County Office of Education are working to distribute at-home test kits provided by the state for the county’s 1.4 million school aged students.  Additionally, the L.A. County Home Test Collection program is offering free, at-home COVID nasal swab test kits via mail to all L.A. County residents who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms or believe they may have been exposed. These kits are free of charge and can be requested through the program’s website at www.covid19.lacounty.gov/hometest. 

While Los Angeles continues to experience a surge in cases, Public Health is reminding residents to avoid visiting the emergency room unless they need emergency medical care. Emergency room visits should be reserved for those patients who are feeling severely ill – for example, those who are short of breath – or who have serious concerns about their health and who require immediate emergency care. 

To keep workplaces and schools open, residents and workers are asked to:

• Get tested to help reduce the spread, especially if you traveled for the holidays, have had a possible exposure, or have symptoms, or are gathering with people not in your household

• Adhere to masking requirements when indoors or at crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status

Residents are legally required to be isolated if they have a positive COVID test result and that vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to quarantine. 

Details: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov