For Immediate Release:

February 18, 2022

Today’s total number of cases reflect 889 additional cases due to reporting delays from a single lab

Public Health data shows that mortality among people experiencing homelessness decreased by more than four-fold this winter surge compared to the previous winter surge. For the 2020-2021 winter surge, the death rate among people experiencing homelessness who were infected with COVID-19 between October 31, 2020 to February 16, 2021 was 237 deaths per 100,000. In comparison, the death rate among people experiencing homelessness who were infected with COVID-19 between December 2, 2021 to February 13, 2022 is currently at 52 deaths per 100,000. For LA County overall, the death rate for individuals who were infected with COVID-19 between December 2, 2021, and February 13, 2022, is 26 deaths per 100,000, underscoring the much higher risk of death for people experiencing homelessness. Of note, deaths from this surge period are still being reported and we expect the death rates for the individuals infected during the current surge may still rise.

This decline in mortality this year when compared to last year was despite a more than doubling in the case rate among people experiencing homelessness during the most recent Omicron winter surge when compared to the prior winter surge. This winter surge, the peak seven-day average daily case rate was 378 new cases per 100,000 people experiencing homelessness compared to 162 new cases per 100,000 people experiencing homelessness during the 2020-2021 winter surge.

While deaths have been lower among people experiencing homelessness during this last winter surge when compared to last year, the elevated case numbers have resulted in very high numbers of outbreaks investigated by Public Health. Between December 2, 2021 and February 13, 2022, Public Health initiated 379 outbreak investigations in settings where people experiencing homelessness lived and sought services. Fortunately, outbreaks at institutions and facilities serving people experiencing homelessness have recently started to steeply decline. For the week ending February 6, Public Health initiated five new outbreak investigations, down from a high of 94 outbreak investigations initiated during the week ending January 2.

One contributing factor to reducing the very high burden of mortality among people experiencing homelessness this past year, is the number of individuals who are vaccinated. As of January 30, 2022, nearly 50,000 (75%) people experiencing homelessness have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 40,000 (61%) are fully vaccinated. There remains much work to do however, since the booster rate remains relatively low at 33% (10,391) among those eligible for an additional dose. Public Health will continue to prioritize booster outreach and vaccination efforts to ensure those persons experiencing homelessness have easy access to vaccinations.

Additionally, since December, Public Health has worked with partners to distribute more than 300,000 rapid antigen test kits and more than 50,000 KN95 respirators to guests and residents at 300 domestic violence and homeless shelters.

“I send my heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “As we enter the post-surge phase, and continue working towards a moderate transmission phase, we can best attend to the needs of the most vulnerable, including people experiencing homelessness, by using what we have learned from the past 2 years to provide essential protections when and where needed. Our collective efforts to vaccinate, boost, mask and take additional safety measures reduces the risks of severe illness or death for those most impacted by the overwhelming consequences of COVID. We are grateful to our partners for reaching out and providing services and support to those who remain unhoused and join with others to support and implement actions that address the devastating impact of homelessness on the health and well-being of so many residents.”

Today, Public Health confirmed 70 additional deaths and 4,330 new cases of COVID-19. Today’s total number of cases reflect additional 889 cases due to reporting delays. Of the 70 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 5-11, two people were between the ages of 18-29, five were between the ages of 30-49, 10 were between the ages of 50-64, 22 were between the ages of 65-79, and 28 were aged 80 years or older. Of the 70 newly reported deaths, 56 had underlying health conditions. Information on the one death reported by the City of Long Beach and one reported by the City of Pasadena is available at www.LongBeach.gov and www.CityofPasadena.net To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 30,216.

Public Health has reported a total of 2,777,165 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 2.6%.

There are 1,616 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 11,330,200 individuals, with 22% of people testing positive.

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

• Adhere to masking requirements when indoors or at crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
  
  
• Remain home when sick, isolate if they test positive and quarantine if they were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Residents are legally required to isolate themselves away from others if they test positive for COVID-19. Close contacts with symptoms and close contacts who are unvaccinated or not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations need to follow quarantine requirements. For updated isolation and quarantine guidance, please visit www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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, connecting 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 02/17/2022
	Total Cases	NEW
Laboratory Confirmed Cases	2,777,165	4330
-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*	2,626,129	4082
-- Long Beach	123,603	201
-- Pasadena	27,433	47
Deaths	30,216	70
-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	28,630	68
-- Long Beach	1,189	1
-- Pasadena	397	1
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- 0 to 4	80495
- 5 to 11	233542
- 12 to 17	228255
- 18 to 29	586032
- 30 to 49	837599
- 50 to 64	434694
- 65 to 79	168085
- over 80	54580
- Under Investigation	2847
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- Female	1334411
- Male	1216678
- Other	951
- Under Investigation	74089
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- American Indian/Alaska Native	4838
- Asian	158547
- Black	131242
- Hispanic/Latino	1203577
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	13623
- White	333502
- Other	289104
- Under Investigation	491696
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- Hospitalized (Ever)	131202	**DATA Under reported
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- American Indian/Alaska Native	67
- Asian	3600
- Black	2626
- Hispanic/Latino	14841
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	103
- White	7029
- Other	286
- Under Investigation	78
CITY / COMMUNITY**	Cases	Case Rate
City of Agoura Hills	3769	18048
City of Alhambra	16272	18763
City of Arcadia	7700	13332
City of Artesia	4025	23965
City of Avalon	62	1602
City of Azusa	13478	26934
City of Baldwin Park	22498	29306
City of Bell	13517	37204
City of Bell Gardens	13908	32291
City of Bellflower	22814	29348
City of Beverly Hills	8003	23184
City of Bradbury	62	5800
City of Burbank	21653	20202
City of Calabasas	3784	15557
City of Carson	24850	26480
City of Cerritos	8124	16226
City of Claremont	5920	16226
City of Commerce*	4434	33928
City of Compton	32413	32444
City of Covina	14415	29399
City of Cudahy	9779	40165
City of Culver City	7137	17903
City of Diamond Bar	8853	15393
City of Downey	35230	30832
City of Duarte	5037	22879
City of El Monte	32219	27474
City of El Segundo	2690	16025
City of Gardena	15889	25916
City of Glendale	43435	21035
City of Glendora	11461	21721
City of Hawaiian Gardens	4060	27664
City of Hawthorne	22137	24933
City of Hermosa Beach	3175	16141
City of Hidden Hills	248	13122
City of Huntington Park	21600	36312
City of Industry	366	83753
City of Inglewood	28750	25312
City of Irwindale	532	36463
City of La Canada Flintridge	2767	13372
City of La Habra Heights	161	2951
City of La Mirada	10210	20585
City of La Puente	12455	30604
City of La Verne	6901	20735
City of Lakewood	18489	23007
City of Lancaster*	49810	30829
City of Lawndale	7923	23571
City of Lomita	4171	20122
City of Lynwood*	24090	33437
City of Malibu	2002	15446
City of Manhattan Beach	4747	13186
City of Maywood	10229	36468
City of Monrovia	8061	20776
City of Montebello	18893	29348
City of Monterey Park	11064	17770
City of Norwalk	32597	30288
City of Palmdale	52201	32837
City of Palos Verdes Estates	1445	10686
City of Paramount	18370	32790
City of Pico Rivera	20613	32066
City of Pomona	50354	32292
City of Rancho Palos Verdes	4693	10979
City of Redondo Beach	9615	13996
City of Rolling Hills	182	9381
City of Rolling Hills Estates	946	11660
City of Rosemead	10369	18734
City of San Dimas*	7847	22734
City of San Fernando	10288	41801
City of San Gabriel	7152	17463
City of San Marino	1350	10168
City of Santa Clarita	53010	24049
City of Santa Fe Springs	6206	33794
City of Santa Monica	16228	17554
City of Sierra Madre	1472	13395
City of Signal Hill	2779	23557
City of South El Monte	6429	30783
City of South Gate	37489	38194
City of South Pasadena	3843	14751
City of Temple City	6012	16492
City of Torrance	22040	14765
City of Vernon	303	144976
City of Walnut	4683	15338
City of West Covina	28715	26530
City of West Hollywood	7650	20703
City of Westlake Village	266	3182
City of Whittier	22878	26167
Los Angeles	1142758	28254
Los Angeles - Adams-Normandie	2515	30663
Los Angeles - Alsace	3461	27810
Los Angeles - Angeles National Forest	6	15000
Los Angeles - Angelino Heights	608	24301
Los Angeles - Arleta	13469	39188
Los Angeles - Atwater Village	3429	23381
Los Angeles - Baldwin Hills	7245	23277
Los Angeles - Bel Air	1419	16835
Los Angeles - Beverly Crest	2261	18052
Los Angeles - Beverlywood	2915	22129
Los Angeles - Boyle Heights*	32601	37522
Los Angeles - Brentwood	5257	16983
Los Angeles - Brookside	91	15663
Los Angeles - Cadillac-Corning	1794	25193
Los Angeles - Canoga Park	19739	30233
Los Angeles - Carthay	2781	19362
Los Angeles - Central	14662	37603
Los Angeles - Century City	2226	17402
Los Angeles - Century Palms/Cove	13270	39300
Los Angeles - Chatsworth	9109	24578
Los Angeles - Cheviot Hills	1559	16999
Los Angeles - Chinatown	1921	23950
Los Angeles - Cloverdale/Cochran	3922	26950
Los Angeles - Country Club Park	3518	23217
Los Angeles - Crenshaw District	3831	27703
Los Angeles - Crestview	2745	24147
Los Angeles - Del Rey	5779	19305
Los Angeles - Downtown*	11367	41324
Los Angeles - Eagle Rock	8761	22130
Los Angeles - East Hollywood	7076	24161
Los Angeles - Echo Park	3205	22482
Los Angeles - El Sereno	12986	31061
Los Angeles - Elysian Park	1327	23232
Los Angeles - Elysian Valley	2626	25819
Los Angeles - Encino	9920	21961
Los Angeles - Exposition	943	28352
Los Angeles - Exposition Park	13900	30946
Los Angeles - Faircrest Heights	848	23556
Los Angeles - Figueroa Park Square	2979	34159
Los Angeles - Florence-Firestone	19114	40287
Los Angeles - Glassell Park	7754	24535
Los Angeles - Gramercy Place	3128	29060
Los Angeles - Granada Hills	15622	26846
Los Angeles - Green Meadows	8369	38917
Los Angeles - Hancock Park	3206	18816
Los Angeles - Harbor City	6824	23474
Los Angeles - Harbor Gateway	11892	27275
Los Angeles - Harbor Pines	452	18763
Los Angeles - Harvard Heights	4971	27563
Los Angeles - Harvard Park	14677	38690
Los Angeles - Highland Park	12548	25930
Los Angeles - Historic Filipinotown	4159	29986
Los Angeles - Hollywood	15387	22544
Los Angeles - Hollywood Hills	5000	16987
Los Angeles - Hyde Park	8956	31379
Los Angeles - Jefferson Park	2407	29815
Los Angeles - Koreatown	12418	24023
Los Angeles - Lafayette Square	1201	26343
Los Angeles - Lake Balboa	12004	28441
Los Angeles - Lakeview Terrace	4519	34410
Los Angeles - Leimert Park	4129	27102
Los Angeles - Lincoln Heights	9877	30300
Los Angeles - Little Armenia	2324	28960
Los Angeles - Little Bangladesh	6527	23029
Los Angeles - Little Tokyo	1037	33099
Los Angeles - Longwood	1287	29902
Los Angeles - Los Feliz	3588	16605
Los Angeles - Manchester Square	2349	27519
Los Angeles - Mandeville Canyon	484	15493
Los Angeles - Mar Vista	6977	16428
Los Angeles - Marina Peninsula	627	14381
Los Angeles - Melrose	19351	24906
Los Angeles - Mid-city	3308	22009
Los Angeles - Miracle Mile	3269	18176
Los Angeles - Mission Hil #####