As Los Angeles County Surpasses More Than 2 Million Total Cases; Hospitalizations Continue Rise Amid Omicron Spread - 43,582 New Positive Cases and 13 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Today, Public Health reports another grim milestone as Los Angeles County has now confirmed more than 2 million total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The current surge of COVID-19 infections also continues to drive up hospitalizations, as today the number of COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals has topped 3,400, the highest level since February 11th, 2021.

The good news is that while hospitalizations continue to climb, Public Health data shows that many positive cases are admitted for reasons other than COVID but, are identified with COVID when tested for COVID upon hospital admission. These are referred to as incidental COVID hospitalizations. For the week ending December 26th, an estimated 55% of COVID-positive hospitalized patients fell into this category of incidental COVID hospitalizations.

Currently 14% of the COVID-positive hospitalized patients are in the ICU, and 7% are on a ventilator. Additionally, 23% of ICU beds are currently being occupied by COVID-positive cases, an increase of 9% from last week. Between December 15th and December 28th, the ICU admission rate for unvaccinated individuals was 21 times higher than the rate among fully vaccinated individuals.

The proportion of hospitalizations among children has not changed from the prior week. The 7-day average proportion of the new admissions among children under 18 years old remains at 4.1%; this is the same proportion as the week prior. The vast majority of the 38 children admitted to the hospital between December 7th and December 28^th were unvaccinated; only 6 children were fully vaccinated.

While the total number of children hospitalized remains low and the proportion of hospitalizations among children remains stable, the number of children in each age group that were admitted to the hospital significantly increased over the past month. The largest rise was seen among children 0-4 years old, increasing from 4 hospital admissions for the week ending December 4th to 58 hospital admissions for the week ending January 1st. Increases were also seen for the 12-to-17-year-old age group, from 1 hospital admission to 16 hospital admissions, and for the 5-to-11-year-old age group, from 2 hospital admissions to 5 hospital admissions, comparing the week ending December 4^th to the week ending January 1^st.

“Our hearts remain with those families experiencing the sorrow of losing those they love to COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With surging transmission and rapidly rising cases and hospitalizations, our already understaffed health care providers are under enormous strain as they try to care for so many COVID infected people, including those with mild illness who are looking for help and support, with the unintended consequence of compromising response capacity across the entire system. Because high community transmission has the inevitable impact of increasing demand for health care services, the best way to protect health care personnel and our capacity to care for both those with COVID and non-COVID illness, is to double-down on reducing transmission.”

“While it is true that Omicron is much more infectious than previous COVID strains, there are many effective strategies available for reducing transmission risks over the next few weeks,” Ferrer continued. “At the top of the list is avoiding hazardous activities where people are unmasked and in close contact with others. Gatherings should also be postponed for a few weeks, especially if there are participants who are not fully vaccinated, and everyone cannot test before getting together. Lastly, upgrading masks to those that provide a better barrier against virus particles is a commonsense step that increases our own protection along with those around us.”

Today, Public Health confirmed 13 additional deaths and 43,582 new cases of COVID-19. Today’s number of cases and deaths reflect the weekend reporting delays. Of the 13 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 30 and 49, six were between the ages of 50-64, one was between the ages of 65-79, and five were over the age of 80 years old. Of the 13 newly reported deaths, nine had underlying conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 27,798.

Public Health has identified a total 2,010,964 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 21.4%.

There are 3,472 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 10,113,300 individuals, with 16% of people testing positive.

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 vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to be quarantined.

For updated isolation and quarantine guidance, please visit www.publichealth.lacounty.gov

For information on where you can get tested, please visit www.covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for everyone 5 years old and older to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites and many community sites where first, second, and third doses are available.

To find a vaccination site near you, or to make an appointment, please visit:

www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) or www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish).

If you need assistance, you can also call 1-833-540-0473 for help:

Finding an appointment

Connect to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or

Schedule a home visit if you are homebound.

For more information regarding COVID-19 in LA County you can also visit the Public Health website at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov here you will find information on:

COVID-19 sector protocols & best practices,

COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboards, and

COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive and, Recovery Dashboards

Please see additional information below:

Cases through 12:00pm 01/09/2022
	Total Cases	NEW
Laboratory Confirmed Cases	2,010,964	43582
-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*	1,910,797	43582
-- Long Beach	81,729	0
-- Pasadena	18,438	0
Deaths	27,798	13
-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	26,345	13
-- Long Beach	1,080	0
-- Pasadena	373	0
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- 0 to 4	52034
- 5 to 11	133226
- 12 to 17	139423
- 18 to 29	454980
- 30 to 49	631981
- 50 to 64	329013
- 65 to 79	126318
- over 80	42555
- Under Investigation	1267
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- Female	968403
- Male	891692
- Other	837
- Under Investigation	49865
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- American Indian/Alaska Native	3247
- Asian	102934
- Black	98600
- Hispanic/Latino	909369
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	8686
- White	251805
- Other	185916
- Under Investigation	350240
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- Hospitalized (Ever)	112775	**DATA Under reported
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- American Indian/Alaska Native	62
- Asian	3392
- Black	2359
- Hispanic/Latino	13902
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	97
- White	6292
- Other	206
- Under Investigation	35
CITY / COMMUNITY**	Cases	Case Rate
City of Agoura Hills	2322	11119
City of Alhambra	11665	13451
City of Arcadia	5360	9281
City of Artesia	2985	17773
City of Avalon	45	1163
City of Azusa	9871	19726
City of Baldwin Park	17636	22973
City of Bell	9586	26384
City of Bell Gardens	10515	24413
City of Bellflower	16772	21576
City of Beverly Hills	6027	17459
City of Bradbury	47	4397
City of Burbank	16179	15095
City of Calabasas	2823	11606
City of Carson	17778	18944
City of Cerritos	5735	11455
City of Claremont	4209	11537
City of Commerce*	3308	25312
City of Compton	24105	24128
City of Covina	10758	21941
City of Cudahy	6927	28451
City of Culver City	5083	12751
City of Diamond Bar	6092	10592
City of Downey	26315	23030
City of Duarte	3738	16979
City of El Monte	23501	20040
City of El Segundo	2022	12046
City of Gardena	11277	18393
City of Glendale	33692	16316
City of Glendora	8543	16191
City of Hawaiian Gardens	3117	21239
City of Hawthorne	16788	18908
City of Hermosa Beach	2499	12705
City of Hidden Hills	203	10741
City of Huntington Park	15658	26323
City of Industry	242	55378
City of Inglewood	22329	19659
City of Irwindale	405	27759
City of La Canada Flintridge	2022	9771
City of La Habra Heights	139	2548
City of La Mirada	7317	14752
City of La Puente	9242	22709
City of La Verne	5261	15807
City of Lakewood	13066	16259
City of Lancaster*	36382	22518
City of Lawndale	5932	17647
City of Lomita	2967	14313
City of Lynwood*	18013	25002
City of Malibu	1414	10910
City of Manhattan Beach	3633	10092
City of Maywood	7262	25890
City of Monrovia	5670	14613
City of Montebello	14551	22603
City of Monterey Park	7794	12518
City of Norwalk	23596	21925
City of Palmdale	37577	23638
City of Palos Verdes Estates	1118	8268
City of Paramount	13842	24708
City of Pico Rivera	15726	24463
City of Pomona	37244	23885
City of Rancho Palos Verdes	3512	8216
City of Redondo Beach	7027	10229
City of Rolling Hills	143	7371
City of Rolling Hills Estates	708	8727
City of Rosemead	7379	13332
City of San Dimas*	5702	16520
City of San Fernando	7738	31440
City of San Gabriel	5140	12551
City of San Marino	963	7253
City of Santa Clarita	39108	17742
City of Santa Fe Springs	4477	24379
City of Santa Monica	12047	13031
City of Sierra Madre	1060	9646
City of Signal Hill	2031	17216
City of South El Monte	4737	22681
City of South Gate	26694	27196
City of South Pasadena	2742	10525
City of Temple City	4119	11299
City of Torrance	15577	10436
City of Vernon	184	88038
City of Walnut	3200	10481
City of West Covina	20888	19299
City of West Hollywood	6051	16376
City of Westlake Village	207	2476
City of Whittier	17039	19488
Los Angeles	831296	20553
Los Angeles - Adams-Normandie	1764	21507
Los Angeles - Alsace	2511	20177
Los Angeles - Angeles National Forest	6	15000
Los Angeles - Angelino Heights	468	18705
Los Angeles - Arleta	10089	29354
Los Angeles - Atwater Village	2551	17394
Los Angeles - Baldwin Hills	5209	16736
Los Angeles - Bel Air	1069	12682
Los Angeles - Beverly Crest	1686	13461
Los Angeles - Beverlywood	2148	16306
Los Angeles - Boyle Heights*	23690	27266
Los Angeles - Brentwood	4010	12954
Los Angeles - Brookside	72	12392
Los Angeles - Cadillac-Corning	1282	18003
Los Angeles - Canoga Park	14480	22178
Los Angeles - Carthay	2140	14899
Los Angeles - Central	10437	26767
Los Angeles - Century City	1540	12039
Los Angeles - Century Palms/Cove	9404	27851
Los Angeles - Chatsworth	6670	17997
Los Angeles - Cheviot Hills	1129	12311
Los Angeles - Chinatown	1377	17167
Los Angeles - Cloverdale/Cochran	2766	19006
Los Angeles - Country Club Park	2521	16637
Los Angeles - Crenshaw District	2713	19618
Los Angeles - Crestview	2079	18288
Los Angeles - Del Rey	4328	14458
Los Angeles - Downtown*	8209	29843
Los Angeles - Eagle Rock	6382	16121
Los Angeles - East Hollywood	5156	17605
Los Angeles - Echo Park	2378	16681
Los Angeles - El Sereno	9568	22886
Los Angeles - Elysian Park	982	17192
Los Angeles - Elysian Valley	1955	19221
Los Angeles - Encino	7282	16121
Los Angeles - Exposition	636	19122
Los Angeles - Exposition Park	9765	21740
Los Angeles - Faircrest Heights	620	17222
Los Angeles - Figueroa Park Square	2169	24871
Los Angeles - Florence-Firestone	13568	28597
Los Angeles - Glassell Park	5694	18017
Los Angeles - Gramercy Place	2379	22101
Los Angeles - Granada Hills	11520	19797
Los Angeles - Green Meadows	5863	27263
Los Angeles - Hancock Park	2395	14056
Los Angeles - Harbor City	4687	16123
Los Angeles - Harbor Gateway	8277	18984
Los Angeles - Harbor Pines	321	13325
Los Angeles - Harvard Heights	3648	20227
Los Angeles - Harvard Park	10630	28022
Los Angeles - Highland Park	9363	19349
Los Angeles - Historic Filipinotown	3035	21882
Los Angeles - Hollywood	11704	17148
Los Angeles - Hollywood Hills	3849	13077
Los Angeles - Hyde Park	6396	22410
Los Angeles - Jefferson Park	1791	22185
Los Angeles - Koreatown	8553	16546
Los Angeles - Lafayette Square	856	18776
Los Angeles - Lake Balboa	8794	20836
Los Angeles - Lakeview Terrace	3448	26254
Los Angeles - Leimert Park	2963	19449
Los Angeles - Lincoln Heights	7290	22364
Los Angeles - Little Armenia	1670	20810
Los Angeles - Little Bangladesh	4443	15676
Los Angeles - Little Tokyo	700	22343
Los Angeles - Longwood	947	22003
Los Angeles - Los Feliz	2609	12074
Los Angeles - Manchester Square	1733	20302
Los Angeles - Mandeville Canyon	352	11268
Los Angeles - Mar Vista	5050	11890
Los Angeles - Marina Peninsula	460	10550
Los Angeles - Melrose	14476	18632
Los Angeles - Mid-city	2363	15722
Los Angeles - Miracle Mile	2459	13673
Los Angeles - Mission Hills	6906	28627
Los Angeles - Mt. Washington	4539	18799
Los Angeles - North Hills	14335	23281
Los Angeles - North Hollywood	33859	22361
Los Angeles - Northridge	13358	19138
Los Angeles - Pacific Palisades	2184	10258
Los Angeles - Pacoima	23664	30741
Los Angeles - Palisades Highlands	390	10140
Los Angeles - Palms	5730	13059
Los Angeles - Panorama City	19305	25654
Los Angeles - Park La Brea	1506	11090
Los Angeles - Pico-Union	9751	23304
Los Angeles - Playa Del Rey	318	9950
Los Angeles - Playa Vista	1614	14744
Los Angeles - Porter Ranch	4925	13839
Los Angeles - Rancho #####