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Post-Surge Dashboard and Strategies

page last updated on 8/18/2022

LA County’s Current CDC Community Level is:

medium

View Los Angeles County Post Surge Response Plan (PDF)

Los Angeles County Metrics
New Cases
(per 100,000 people in last 7 days)		 New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total) Proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average)
252.19/100,000 8.9 5.9%
Metrics are calculated by the CDC and posted on the CDC Community Levels website. Data was updated by the CDC on August 18, 2022.

Los Angeles County will use the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level Matrix to inform the level of risk across the county and adopt corresponding prevention strategies (see Community Prevention Strategies below). LA County will move to a lower or higher community level after qualifying for the new level for 7 consecutive days.

Indicators Low Medium High
Fewer than 200 New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total) <10.0 10.0-19.9 ≥20.0
Proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average) <10.0% 10.0-14.9% ≥15.0%
200 or more New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total) NA <10.0 ≥10.0
Proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average) NA <10.0% ≥10.0%
The COVID-19 community level is determined by the higher of the inpatient beds and new admissions indicators, based on the current level of new cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.

(Aligned with CDC Community Levels and Community Transmission)

The Community Safety Protection Measures and Prevention Strategies below reflect CDC, state, and county mitigation efforts in four areas: indoor masking, testing, vaccination verification, and ventilation. Federal and state requirements are embedded in Table 2 below and will be changed if and when these requirements change.

*Note: When there is circulation of an emerging COVID-19 variant of concern that shows potential evidence of vaccine avoidance, these recommendations and requirements will be modified.

The strategies in the table cover low, medium and high community levels. Please scroll horizontally to view all community level strategies.

CDC Community Level1:
LOW		 CDC Community Level1:
MEDIUM		 CDC Community Level1:
HIGH
Community Transmission:
Weekly Case Rate		 <25/100K 25-50/100K >50/100K <25/100K 25-50/100K >50/100K All Transmission Levels
Indoor Masking

Note: Employers must offer well-fitting medical masks and respirators to employees working indoors in close contact with other workers and/or customers at all sites where masking is optional		 All individuals, regardless of vaccination status Individual preference3, unless required by site Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Individual preference3, unless required by site Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Required indoors in all public spaces and businesses
Individuals at elevated risk2 Strongly recommended in higher risk settings Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Strongly recommended in higher risk settings Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Required
For those exposed, regardless of vaccination, for 10 days after last day of exposure Required Required Required Required Required Required Required
For those confirmed positive Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10 Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10 Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10 Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10 Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10 Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10 Required to isolate for up to 10 days; mask strongly recommended for those who test negative on day 6-10
Indoor spaces at K-12 schools Individual preference3, unless required by site Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Required in all indoor spaces at K-12 schools and in public and business settings
All healthcare settings, correctional and detention facilities, public transit, transportation hubs, congregate care facilities, and homeless and emergency shelters Required Required Required Required Required Required Required
Testing Routine screening testing in workplaces Individual preference3, unless required by site or sector Individual preference3, unless required by site or sector Individual preference3, unless required by site or sector Individual preference3, unless required by site or sector Strongly recommended for unvaccinated / not fully vaccinated at sites with individuals at elevated risk2 unless required by the site or sector Strongly recommended for everyone regardless of vax status unless required by site or sector Strongly recommended for everyone regardless of vaccination status unless required by site or sector
For those exposed Required Required Required Required Required Required Required
For those symptomatic / confirmed positive Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days Required to exit isolation at day 5; otherwise Isolate for 10 days
Before gathering socially with those at elevated risk Individual preference3, unless required by site Individual preference3, unless required by site Strongly recommended Individual preference3, unless required by site Strongly recommended Strongly recommended Strongly recommended
Vaccination / Negative Test Verification For healthcare workers, employees at healthcare facilities, and employees at high-risk congregate care settings and homeless shelters Required Required Required Required Required Required Required
For visitors indoors at healthcare facilities, including congregate care sites Strongly Recommended unless required by site Strongly Recommended unless required by site Strongly Recommended unless required by site Require visitors who are not up to date with COVID vaccines to be tested (PCR or Antigen) prior to indoor visitation Require visitors who are not up to date with COVID vaccines to be tested (PCR or Antigen) prior to indoor visitation Require visitors who are not up to date with COVID vaccines to be tested (PCR or Antigen) prior to indoor visitation Require all visitors, regardless of COVID vaccination status, to be tested (PCR or Antigen) prior to indoor visitation
Outdoor mega events and indoor portions of bars, lounges, nightclubs, distilleries, wineries, and breweries Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site
Indoor mega events Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site Strongly recommended unless required by site
For staff in homeless shelters: unvaccinated staff at homeless and emergency shelters to test weekly, as required by the State HOO. Required Required Required Required Required Required Required
Environmental Mitigation Ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces Ensure and maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces
(1) CDC recommends use of COVID-19 Community Levels to determine the impact of COVID-19 illness on health and healthcare systems and the prevention measures to use for individuals, households, and communities. The CDC Community Level can be Low, Medium, or High and is determined by the higher of the new COVID-19 admissions and inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients metrics, based on the current level of new cases per 100,000 population in the past 7 days.

(2) Individuals at elevated risk include: elderly, unvaccinated, those with underlying medical conditions, immunocompromised individuals, and communities in high poverty. This means that a person with one or more of these conditions who gets very sick from COVID-19 (has severe illness from COVID-19) is more likely to: be hospitalized, need intensive care, require a ventilator to help them breathe, or die. See CDC website for more details on the underlying medical conditions associated with elevated risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

(3) Individual preference means that no person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

LA County Department of Public Health will monitor the following signals to provide early indication of concerning trends that can result in future high rates of transmission and/or increased illness severity. Alerts in any community wide measure that reaches the threshold for medium or high concern will trigger an in-depth review of contributing factors and the possibility of modifications to community prevention strategies. Sector specific alerts that reach the threshold for medium or high concern will result in action steps outlined in the Priority Sector Response table below. Sectors must be in a lower concern level for at least two weeks before the additional mitigation strategies can be lifted. Please reference the Priority Sector Response table below for the current mitigation strategies in place in each sector.

Indicator Thresholds Low Concern Medium Concern High Concern LA County's Current Values
Percent of specimens sequenced that are identified as a new Variant of Concern (including subvariants) (based on the World Health Organization’s designation)1 Currently tracking: BA.4 and BA.5 combined < 10% 10%-20% > 20% 96%
7-day average of the percent of Emergency Department (ED) encounters classified as coronavirus-related2 < 5% 5%-10% > 10% 8%
7-day cumulative age-adjusted case rate for the lowest income areas (30-100% area poverty)3 < 100 per 100,000 100-200 per 100,000 > 200 per 100,000 202 per 100,000
Number of sewer systems with a two-fold or greater increase in wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentration4 0 1-2 ≥ 3 0
Number of new outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities over the past 7 days5 ≤10 11-20 >20 19
Number of new outbreaks in TK-12 school classrooms over the past 7 days6 ≤ 7 8-14 ≥ 15 N/A
Number of new outbreaks in PEH settings over the past 7 days5 ≤ 10 11-20 >20 1
Number of worksite cluster reports in the past 7 days7 < 100 100-300 > 300 152
(1) Current 7-day period is 7/24/22 – 7/30/22.
Variant proportions are based on a sample of all rt-PCR positive specimens collected from Los Angeles County residents. On average, sequencing data is available 2-3 weeks after specimen collection. Variant proportions are calculated in weekly intervals using date of specimen collection. Weekly estimates may be revised as additional data is reported. WHO Variant of Concern definitions: https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/

(2) Current 7-day period is 8/8/22 - 8/14/22.
Coronavirus classification is determined by a free text search for mention of coronavirus, COVID-19, and synonyms within extracts of patient chief complaint and diagnoses from Syndromic Surveillance participating hospitals. Some encounters may be missed due to incomplete and/or delayed reason-for-visit information or misclassified due to COVID-19 screening during a visit regardless of the actual primary reason for visit. This percentage from Syndromic Surveillance participating hospitals is not intended to reflect the exact percentage for the population, but is a useful tool for monitoring trends over time.

(3) Current 7-day period is 8/8/22 – 8/14/22.
Cases are counted by episode date which is the earliest existing value of: date of onset, date of diagnosis, date of death, date received, or specimen collection date. Area Poverty reflects the percentage of households living at or below the federal poverty line. The “lowest income areas” used in this metric are census tracts with 30-100% of households living at or below the federal poverty line. Area poverty estimates are derived from the US Census 5-year (2013-2017) American Community Survey at the census tract level. The case rate is age-adjusted and is per 100,000. Population estimates are derived from LAC PEPS 2018 demography files.

(4) Current 10-day period is 8/8/22 – 8/17/22.
Change in wastewater concentration is calculated by comparing the most recent 10-day rolling average of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentrations with the 10-day rolling average of concentrations from 2 weeks prior.

(5) Current 7-day period is 8/10/22 – 8/16/22.
Counts include outbreak investigations initiated in the past 7 days at skilled nursing facilities and homeless settings. Counts exclude investigations initiated more than 28 days after the first case's test or onset date (to account for delayed reporting to DPH). As of 6/16/22, the threshold for opening an outbreak in a Persons Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) setting changed from at least 1 case or 2 persons under investigation to at least 2 cases or 3 persons under investigation. As of 7/8/22, the threshold for opening an outbreak in a PEH setting changed from at least 2 cases or 3 persons under investigation to 3 cases or 3 persons under investigation.

(6) Updates to the TK-12 school classroom early alert metric were paused as of 6/16/22 due to schools being on summer break. Updates to this metric will resume in the fall.

(7) Current 7-day period is 8/10/22 – 8/16/22.
Worksite clusters are 3 or more cases within 14 days as reported by an employer. Worksite clusters can represent outbreaks or non-outbreaks and, if there are additional cases, can be multiple reports of the same site. As of 5/10/22, the reporting cutoff for the last day of 7-day reporting period was adjusted from 11:59PM to noon. On 5/23/22, changes in cluster report data processing were implemented, including exclusion of duplicate reports with fewer than 3 cases.

During post-surge, detailed below are both general mitigation measures and additional measures that vary depending on the threshold for concern for each priority sector. Sectors must be in a lower concern level for at least two weeks before the additional mitigation strategies can be lifted. The light blue highlight in each row indicates which level of mitigation strategies are currently in use.

Sector General Mitigation Measures Low Concern Medium Concern High Concern
SNFs*
The measures in this table are general information for the public. Healthcare facilities must follow specific LAC DPH guidance and CDPH and CMS requirements.
  • Increase vaccination and booster coverage for those eligible (required for SNF employees).
  • Require masking at all healthcare settings.
  • Ensure adequate testing capacity to meet routine and response testing requirements as defined by the state’s All Facility Letters (AFLs) and county HOOs.
  • Ensure access to therapeutics.
  • Optimize indoor ventilation where possible.
  • Continue aggressive management of outbreaks and expanded infection control measures.
  • Continue to provide consultation, education and information on optimal infection control practices.
  • Prioritize DPH assistance with outbreaks.
  • Test all symptomatic staff and residents.
  • Conduct contact tracing and assure proper isolation of cases and quarantining of close contacts based on the county HOO.
  • Test contacts within facility required at day 2 and 7 after exposure.
  • Require masking at all healthcare settings.
  • Conduct weekly screening testing of unvaccinated staff and residents required.

Report all cases among staff and residents to DPH.
  • Test all symptomatic staff and residents.
  • Conduct contact tracing and assure proper isolation of cases and quarantining of close contacts based on the county HOO.
  • Test contacts within facility required at day 2 and 7 after exposure.
  • Require masking at all healthcare settings.
  • Conduct weekly screening testing of unvaccinated staff and residents required.
  • Require unvaccinated visitors be tested (PCR or Antigen) within 48 hours prior to indoor visitation.
  • Limit communal dining and activities to fixed cohorts.
  • Report all cases among staff and residents to DPH.
  • Test all symptomatic staff and residents.
  • Conduct contact tracing and assure proper isolation of cases and quarantining of close contacts based on the county HOO.
  • Test contacts within facility as required after exposure.
  • Require masking indoors at all healthcare settings
  • Require N95 respirators for all staff during the entire time while in the facility.
  • Conduct regular screening testing of all staff and residents as required by state and county guidance.
  • Require all visitors, regardless of COVID vaccination status, to be tested (PCR or Antigen) prior to indoor visitation.
  • Pause communal dining and group activities.
  • Report all cases among staff and residents to DPH.
K-12 and Early Childhood Education (ECE)
  • Ensure adequate testing capacity at K-12 schools and ECE settings.
  • Continue offering group contact tracing option to schools as an alternative to individual contact tracing in TK-12 schools.
  • Recommend that all eligible staff and students receive their vaccines/booster dose; vaccination requirements are determined by the state or school districts.
  • Prioritize DPH assistance with outbreak management. During an outbreak, the Public Health outbreak response team may require changes in safety protocols. This may include more stringent guidance on masking, testing, and quarantine and isolation periods.
  • Prioritize DPH assistance with outbreak management.
  • Strongly encourage school-based vaccine clinics to enroll as COVID-19 vaccine providers.
  • Require masking indoors for asymptomatic staff and students with an exposure.
  • Monitor for symptoms and test immediately if symptomatic.
  • Assure proper isolation of cases based on the county HOO. Require test to return for shortened isolation period.
  • Promote group tracing in schools.
  • Require response testing for persons with an exposure at school/ECE sites within 3-5 days after the last exposure, who are remaining on or returning to site before day 10.
  • Consider surveillance testing in a TK-12 school/district sample to monitor for trends, only if staffing and test capacity allows (e.g., 10%+ of school population with cadences of weekly, biweekly, monthly based on school need/capacity).
  • Report all cases and outbreaks among staff and students to DPH.
  • Require masking indoors for asymptomatic staff and students with an exposure.
  • Strongly recommend masking indoors for staff and students.
  • Improve ventilation.
  • Monitor for symptoms and test immediately if symptomatic.
  • Assure proper isolation of cases based on the county HOO. Require test to return for shortened isolation period.
  • Promote group tracing in schools.
  • Require response testing for persons with an exposure at school/ECE sites, within 3-5 days after last exposure, who are remaining on or returning to site before Day 10.
  • Strongly recommend weekly testing of those not fully vaccinated in TK-12 schools.
  • Report all cases and outbreaks among staff and students to DPH.
  • Require masking indoors for asymptomatic staff and students with an exposure.
  • Strongly recommend masking indoors for staff and students; require masking as feasible for high risk indoor activities including indoor medium and high contact sports, large events, singing, and band/orchestra in TK-12 schools.
  • Improve ventilation.
  • Monitor for symptoms and test immediately if symptomatic.
  • Assure proper isolation of cases based on the county HOO. Require test to return for shortened isolation period.
  • Promote group tracing in schools.
  • Require response testing for persons with an exposure at school/ECE sites, within 3-5 days after the last exposure, who are remaining on or returning to site before Day 10.
  • Strongly recommend weekly testing of all students and staff in TK-12 schools if resources allow.
  • Report all cases and outbreaks among staff and students to DPH.
PEH
  • Recommend that all eligible residents and staff receive their vaccine and booster dose(s).
  • Require unvaccinated staff at homeless and emergency shelters to test weekly, as required by the State HOO.
  • Ensure capacity for asymptomatic screening and diagnostic testing of residents at shelters using point-of-care or other tests.
  • Ensure access to therapeutics.
  • Improve indoor ventilation where possible.
  • Continue to provide consultation, education, and information on optimal infection control practices.
  • Prioritize DPH assistance with outbreak management.
  • Continue aggressive management of outbreaks and expanded infection control measures.
  • Require staff at homeless and emergency shelters to wear well-fitting medical masks or respirators.
  • Require all residents at homeless and emergency shelters to wear masks while indoors.
  • Offer high-quality masks to all residents.
  • Test all symptomatic persons for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
  • Required to conduct weekly screening testing of all shelter staff who are not fully vaccinated (per State and County HOOs).
  • Strongly recommend conducting weekly screening testing of 10% of unvaccinated residents, as capacity allows with point-of-care or other tests.
  • Assure proper isolation of cases and quarantining of close contacts based on the county HOO.
  • Report all cases among staff and residents to DPH.
  • Require staff at homeless and emergency shelters to wear well-fitting medical masks or respirators.
  • Require all residents at homeless and emergency shelters to wear masks while indoors.
  • Offer high quality masks to all residents.
  • Test all symptomatic persons for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
  • Required to conduct weekly screening testing of all shelter staff who are not fully vaccinated (per State and County HOOs).
  • Strongly recommend conducting weekly screening testing with point-of-care or other tests for all shelter staff and residents who are not up to date with vaccinations.
  • Assure proper isolation of cases and quarantining of close contacts based on the county HOO.
  • Report all cases among staff and residents to DPH.
  • Require staff at homeless and emergency shelters to wear well-fitting medical masks or respirators.
  • Require all residents at homeless and emergency shelters to wear masks while indoors.
  • Offer well-fitting medical masks or respirators to all residents.
  • Test all symptomatic persons for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
  • Required to conduct weekly screening testing of all shelter staff who are not fully vaccinated (per State and County HOOs).
  • Strongly recommend conducting at minimum, weekly screening testing of all shelter staff and residents, regardless of vaccination status. If resources allow, conduct screening testing twice a week for shelter staff and residents, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Assure proper isolation of cases and quarantining of close contacts based on the county HOO.
  • Report all cases among staff and residents to DPH.
Worksites
  • Ensure information regarding vaccinations, testing and therapeutics to employees.
  • Encourage worker vaccination.
  • Investigate workplace outbreaks; require employers to implement safety measures that limit transmission.
  • Continue to provide consultation, education and information on optimal infection control practices.

Worksites with 3 or more cases within exposed group (as defined by Cal/OSHA ETS) during a 14-day period:

  • Implement indoor masking for exposed group for a minimum of 14 days from last positive case.

ALL WORKSITES:

  • Employers required to offer well-fitting medical masks and respirators to employees working indoors in close contact with other workers and/or customers.
  • Strongly recommend masking indoors for workers at elevated risk with significant contact with the public or other workers.
  • Require symptomatic workers to isolate and test.
  • Workers who are exposed to a COVID-19 case must test as soon as possible and wear a well-fitting mask while indoors around others.
  • Optimize ventilation at worksites.
  • Employers required to report to DPH if 3 or more COVID-19 cases are known or reported at a worksite within a 14-day period.

Worksites with 3 or more cases within exposed group (as defined by Cal/OSHA ETS) during a 14-day period:

  • Implement indoor masking for exposed group for a minimum of 14 days from last positive case.

ALL WORKSITES:

  • Employers required to offer well-fitting medical masks and respirators to employees working indoors in close contact with other workers and/or customers.
  • Strongly recommend masking indoors for all workers.
  • Require symptomatic workers to isolate and test.
  • Workers who are exposed to a COVID-19 case must test as soon as possible and wear a well-fitting mask while indoors around others.
  • Optimize ventilation at worksites.
  • Increase risk messaging to high-risk worksites such as manufacturing and warehousing.
  • Encourage physical distancing in communal areas, such as breakrooms and cafeterias.
  • Employers required to report to DPH if 3 or more COVID-19 cases are known or reported at a worksite within a 14-day period.

Worksites with 3 or more cases within exposed group (as defined by Cal/OSHA ETS) during a 14-day period:

  • Implement indoor masking for exposed group for a minimum of 14 days from last positive case.
  • Consider remote work where operationally feasible, especially for workers at elevated risk.

ALL WORKSITES:

  • Employers required to offer well-fitting medical masks and respirators to employees working indoors in close contact with other workers and/or customers.
  • Strongly recommend masking indoors for all workers.
  • Require symptomatic workers to isolate and test.
  • Workers who are exposed to a COVID-19 case must test as soon as possible and wear a well-fitting mask while indoors around others.
  • Optimize ventilation at worksites.
  • Increase risk messaging to high-risk worksites such as manufacturing and warehousing.
  • Recommend physical distancing in communal areas such as breakrooms and cafeterias.
  • Employers required to report to DPH if 3 or more COVID-19 cases are known or reported at a worksite within a 14-day period.
Highly Impacted Communities
  • Increase vaccination and booster coverage.
  • Ensure access to vaccinations, testing and therapeutics in communities hardest-hit by COVID-19.
  • Continue investment in community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) working in communities hardest hit to provide resource linkages, conduct COVID-19 outreach and education, and facilitate access to vaccination opportunities.
  • Continue Public Health Councils program to provide critical support to low-wage essential works; consider broader efforts to support other essential, low-wage worker industries not previously included in the pilot program.
  • Prioritize community and workplace outreach and vaccination efforts in communities showing increased rates of transmission.
  • Begin to assess quarantine and isolation (QI) housing capacity if rates of transmission and/or illness severity continue to increase.
  • Expand PH Council outreach in essential low-wage worker industries. disproportionately impacted by outbreaks.
  • Support access to PPE and screening testing in priority sectors and communities.
  • Tailor CBO/FBO messaging for communities of concerns.
  • Continue to prioritize community and workplace outreach and vaccination efforts in communities showing increased rates of transmission and/or illness severity.
  • Promote enhanced and targeted outreach by CBOs and other partners to support growing demand for education resources.
  • Explore increased QI housing capacity, if necessary.
  • Support targeted PPE and screening testing access in priority sectors and communities.
  • Amplify CBO/FBO messaging for communities of concern; convene CBO/FBO partners to discuss strategies and resources to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Hospitals and Health Systems*
*The measures in this table are general information for the public. Healthcare facilities must follow specific LAC DPH guidance and CDPH and CMS requirements.
  • Require masking at all healthcare settings.
  • Increase booster coverage for those eligible (required for all health care personnel).
  • Continue option for modified isolation and quarantine requirements only where needed to accommodate severe staffing shortages.
  • Coordinate with MHOAC to safeguard regional capacity for essential pre-hospital (EMS) and hospital services and ensure surge capacity.
  • Continue to provide consultation, education and information on optimal infection control practices.
  • Require masking at all healthcare settings.
  • Test all symptomatic staff and patients.
  • Conduct contact tracing and assure proper isolation of cases.
  • Assure vaccination requirements for all applicable staff are adhered to.
  • Report all cases among staff and patients to DPH.
  • Require masking at all healthcare settings.
  • Test all symptomatic staff and patients.
  • Conduct contact tracing and assure proper isolation of cases.
  • Assure vaccination requirements for all applicable staff are adhered to.
  • Report all cases among staff and patients to DPH.
  • Require respirators for all staff when in direct contact with residents/patients.
  • Test all symptomatic staff and patients.
  • Conduct contact tracing and assure proper isolation of cases.
  • Assure vaccination requirements for all applicable staff are adhered to.
  • Report all cases among staff and patients to DPH.

Aligned with CDC Community Levels

Much of the post surge plan depends on our ability to focus resources on response actions and preparedness activities. Response actions include addressing increasing levels of community risk and early alert signals that may be sector specific. Preparedness activities are focused on strategies that consistently allow the County to respond to changing conditions.

Preparedness Actions Needs Improvement Adequate Outstanding LA County Current Values
Access to vaccines: Number of mobile vaccination sites per week Less than 200 200-300 More than 300 623
(8/12/22 - 8/19/22)
Access to vaccines: Number of fixed vaccination sites Less than 900 900-1,100 More than 1,100 1,062
(8/10/22 - 8/16/22)
Access to vaccines: Percentage of eligible homebound residents referred to DPH and vaccinated who received their vaccine within 2 weeks from date of referral Less than 60% 60%-75% More than 75% 87%
(7/17/22 - 7/23/22)
Access to vaccines: Percentage of eligible residents 5+ in the most vulnerable communities1 who have had 1+ additional dose/booster Less than 45% 45%-60% More than 60% 53%
(as of 8/14/22)
Outbreak management: Percentage of high-risk worksite outbreaks2 that have had at least one site visit by DPH Less than 75% 75%-85% More than 85% 89%
(7/12/22 - 8/9/22)
Testing access for the Public: Average wait time across all County-run testing sites More than 1 hour Between 30-60 minutes Less than 30 minutes 10 minutes
(8/7/22 - 8/13/22)
Testing access at Schools: Percentage of TK-12 public schools that have capacity for response testing3 Less than 80% 80%-90% More than 90% N/A
Testing access at SNFs: Percentage of Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) that have capacity for routine response testing Less than 90% 90%-99% 100% 100%
(8/7/22 - 8/13/22)
Access to therapeutics: Number of sites in the most vulnerable communities1 that dispense therapeutics4 Less than 150 sites 150-250 sites More than 250 sites 545
(as of 8/12/22)
Access to therapeutics: Percentage of eligible residents using the call center who received recommended therapeutics Less than 80% 80%-90% More than 90% 100%
(8/2/22 - 8/8/22)
Surveillance – Sequencing: Number of positive case specimens that are sequenced per week Less than 300 300-1,200 More than 1,200 845
(7/24/22 - 7/30/22)
Surveillance –Wastewater: Number of Service Planning Areas (SPAs) represented in wastewater collection and testing 3X/week Less than 5 5-7 8 7
(as of 8/17/22)
Surveillance – EDs: Percentage of EDs reporting COVID-like illness data Less than 80% 80%-90% More than 90% 81%
(as of 8/14/22)
(1) The “most vulnerable” communities are classified based upon at least 11 community characteristics, including economic, housing, environment, social, education, transportation and health care compiled in the California Department of Public Health Vaccine Equity Metric or by having a fully vaccinated population coverage less than the overall Los Angeles County estimate.

(2) Under post-surge level, high-risk worksite outbreaks are defined as 1) manufacturing or warehousing work settings with at least 50 employees; 2) airline/airport setting; or 3) any industry with 5 or more epidemiologically linked cases. High-risk worksite outbreak definitions may change at higher levels of community transmission and/or when number of outbreaks exceed local investigation capacity.

(3) Updates to the “testing access at schools” metric were paused as of 6/17/22 due to schools being on summer break. Updates to this metric will resume in the fall. The Department of Public Health will continue to work with summer school programs to ensure they have access to testing.

(4) Therapeutics include oral and injectable medications used to prevent infection or disease progression among those with infection.
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    • Public Health has made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translation. However, no computerized translation is perfect and is not intended to replace traditional translation methods. If questions arise concerning the accuracy of the information, please refer to the English edition of the website, which is the official version.

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