LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
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313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806  |  Los Angeles, CA 90012  |  (213) 240-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

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For Immediate Release:

April 28, 2021

Skilled Nursing Facility Cases Drop as High Percentages of Residents and Staff are Vaccinated - 31 New Deaths and 341 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 31 new deaths and 341 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 31 new deaths reported today, 10 people that passed away were over the age of 80, nine people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, seven people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. Three deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

To date, Public Health identified 1,232,373 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 23,831 deaths.

There are 408 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 27% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 6,460,000 individuals with 18% of people testing positive. Today's daily test positivity rate is 0.8%.

Cases at skilled nursing facilities have plummeted since vaccines were approved for emergency use. For the week of April 17, nearly 45,000 COVID-19 tests were completed among staff and residents and only 23 people tested positive for COVID-19; 6 new cases among residents and 17 new cases among staff. For comparison, the week beginning December 28, 2020, a total of 2,532 people tested positive for COVID-19; 1,423 cases among residents and 1,109 cases among staff.

As of April 17, 83% of skilled nursing facility staff and 83% of residents received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Among those who had received the first dose, 96% of staff and 91% of residents have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated. These numbers only reflect reported rates among current residents, not the total number of residents who have been vaccinated. There is high turnover rate among residents in these facilities.

"To everyone who has lost a friend or loved one to COVID-19, we send you our deepest condolences," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. "Where we see high rates of vaccination, we are seeing transmission of COVID-19 plummet. Each person that is vaccinated has the best protection against COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic individuals have taken actions, like masking and distancing, that have protected not only themselves but protected others; getting vaccinated is no different - not only are you protecting yourself, you are doing your part to stop transmission and prevent hospitalizations and deaths. While millions of County residents are fully vaccinated, we still have a way to go to get to a level of vaccinations that will make COVID-19 no longer a threat. Encourage your family and friends not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated."

No appointments are needed at county-run mass vaccination sites through Thursday, April 29 while supply lasts. Everyone 16 and older living or working in L.A. County can walk-in and get vaccinated. You should bring a photo ID with you and teens 16 and 17 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to learn how to make an appointment at vaccination sites, what verifications people will need to show at your vaccination appointment, and much more. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

County Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Please see additional information below:

Laboratory Confirmed Total Cases 123373*

Deaths 23831

Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

Hospitalization

Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

CITY / COMMUNITY** CASES (Case Rate)

These numbers are subject to change based on further investigation. 47 cases and 1 death previously reported were not in Public Health's jurisdiction. * Means that case numbers include cases associated with correctional facility outbreaks located in the city/community. **Rate is crude and is per 100,000. This represents the number of cases per 100,000 people and allows for the proportional comparison of cities of different sizes.

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion. To learn more about Los Angeles County Public Health, please visit www.publichealth .lacounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lacounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lapublichealth, facebook.com/lapublichealth, instagram.com/lapublichealth and youtube.com/lapublichealth.



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