LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
News Release
Los Angeles County Public Health Logo

313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806  |  Los Angeles, CA 90012  |  (213) 288-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

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For Immediate Release:

January 06, 2023

Los Angeles County Residents Returning to School, Work After Winter Break Urged to Test for COVID-19, Mask for At Least 10 Days - 2,101 New Positive Cases and 24 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

As schools prepare to reopen after winter break and more people go back to work, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) strongly recommends that returning students and workers test for COVID-19 and wear a mask for at least 10 days to prevent a spike in transmission.

Public Health officials are asking for the community’s help in reducing the chances of another post-holiday surge and limiting the spread of new COVID-19 strains that could gain dominance in Los Angeles County. An increase in infection rates would disproportionately affect people over 50 and people with preexisting medical conditions or who are immunocompromised. All three groups are at higher risk for serious illness and death from COVID-19.

Los Angeles County currently remains in the Medium Community Level, based on its case and hospitalization rates. As people return to school and work after the winter holiday, they may unintentionally expose others to the disease, increasing outbreaks. It can take up to 10 days for a person who has COVID-19 to test positive or display symptoms of infection.

To limit the post-holiday spread of infection, county residents should test before going back to school or work and upon returning, wear a well-fitting, high-filtration mask indoors for at least 10 days, in addition to continuing to mask in indoor public spaces.

Wearing a mask during the 10-day incubation period for COVID-19 can slow transmission of the virus, minimize disruptions to work and learning, protect the people who are most vulnerable, and help make sure hospitals do not become overwhelmed.

In the past, as new COVID-19 strains have gained dominance, as XBB.1.5 is doing in many parts of the United States, there has been a spike in transmission, resulting in increased hospitalizations and deaths, especially among older people.

Older Los Angeles County residents remain the most vulnerable for hospitalization and deaths compared to other age groups. People age 50 and older accounted for the highest rates of cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Los Angeles County for the 30-day period that ended Dec. 28. The rates increase with age. Residents who are 80-years-old and older, for example, are three times more likely to be hospitalized and five times more likely to die from COVID-19. Residents ages 65-79 were three times more likely to be hospitalized and six times likely to die than residents ages 50-64. Further, people ages 50-64 were more than five times likely to die than people ages 30-49 (See chart below).

30-Day Cumulative Crude Rates per 100,0001

Age Group

Case Rate

Hospitalization Rate

Death Rate

0 to 4

424.80

18.83

0^

5 to 11

232.35

2.70

0^

12 to 17

301.09

4.31

0.14^

18 to 29

623.51

16.79

0.06^

30 to 49

785.63

26.12

0.44^

50 to 64

838.98

44.38

2.26

65 to 79

1013.11

137.11

13.96

80+

1349.00

389.58

64.63

1 Case rates are for the 30-day period ending January 1, 2023. Hospitalization and death rates are for the 30-day period ending December 28, 2022.

^ Rate is considered unstable if the relative standard error 23 percent or more of the rate estimate or if the frequency was less than 20.

In Los Angeles County, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 continue to be the dominant COVID-19 strains. However, XBB.1.5 is increasing in the United States, responsible for about 40% of cases nationally and an estimated 9% of COVID cases in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given the rise of XBB.1.5 in other parts of the country, we expect we may start to see increases in XBB.1.5 in LA County as well

To keep safe and safeguard others, Los Angeles County residents should stay up to date on all vaccines, wash their hands, wear a mask indoors and in very crowded outdoor spaces, stay home when sick and seek treatment as soon as they have symptoms.

For information on how to access vaccinations and treatment in Los Angeles County:

Vaccinations: Primary series vaccinations, updated bivalent boosters, and flu vaccines are readily available at Public Health sites, pharmacies, and other locations across the county. Seniors and residents who can’t easily leave their home may arrange for at-home vaccinations or transportation to a vaccination center by calling Public Health telehealth services at (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Residents also may visit VaccinateLACounty.com to find nearby vaccination sites, request a mobile vaccination team for a worksite or community event, or an in-home visit if someone is homebound.

Treatment: If a person tests positive for COVID-19 and has symptoms, such as fever, coughing, sneezing, unusual fatigue or muscle aches, oral antiviral medications are available by prescription. Medicines, such as Paxlovid, should be taken within five days of symptom onset to reduce the risk of hospitalization. To get a prescription, contact a health care provider or access telehealth services by calling (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Insurance is not required, and callers may be assisted in multiple languages, regardless of immigration status.

Test-to-treat sites, where tests and prescriptions for medications are located at one site, are also available in Los Angeles County. To find a site, or for more information, visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines.

“I offer my condolences to those who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. I know the pain is felt deeply and I hope you find peace,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “With XBB.1.5 rising across the country, I want to be aware that very soon we could see the new strain become more dominant here in LA County. I hope everyone will take action to help minimize the impact, especially knowing it will be felt most by those vulnerable to severe illness. Every day I see examples of how people in LA County care for others and this is one more way to do so. We have learned a lot over the past few years and it is important that we all put the knowledge to use to help protect our community.”

LA County continues to report a significant number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

The 7-day average case count in the county is 2,111, a nearly 11% decrease from one week ago when the 7-day average of 2,359 cases was reported.

And over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in LA County hospitals is 1247, nearly the same as last week when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 1207.

The county is currently reporting an average of 20 deaths per day, about a 20% increase from the average of 16 deaths reported per day a week ago.

Today, Public Health reported 24 additional deaths and 2,101 new positive cases.

To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 34,807. There are 1,212 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized.

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov including:

· COVID-19 Daily Data (cases, deaths, testing, testing positivity rate, mortality rate, and hospitalizations)

· COVID-19 Locations & Demographics (data by demographic characteristics and geography, active outbreaks, and citations)

· COVID-19 Response Plan

· COVID-19 Vaccinations

· Skilled Nursing Facility Metrics

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

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

· http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/

California Department of Public Health:

· https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/nCOV2019.aspx

· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

· Spanish https://espanol.cdc.gov/enes/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

· World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

· LA County residents can also call 2-1-1



#####

Cases through 12:00pm 1/5/2022

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,646,917

-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

3,448,737

-- Long Beach

159,382

-- Pasadena

38,798

Deaths

34,807

-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

33,013

-- Long Beach

1,356

-- Pasadena

438

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

- 0 to 4

108,678

- 5 to 11

279,632

- 12 to 17

274,413

- 18 to 29

744,258

- 30 to 49

1,108,495

- 50 to 64

595,101

- 65 to 79

250,229

- over 80

85,498

- Under Investigation

2,433

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

- Female

1,776,481

- Male

1,582,519

- Other

1,712

- Under Investigation

88,025

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

- American Indian/Alaska Native

6,556

- Asian

254,565

- Black

179,714

- Hispanic/Latino

1,480,903

- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

17,404

- White

475,142

- Other

394,044

- Under Investigation

640,409

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

- Hospitalized (Ever)

167,456

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

- American Indian/Alaska Native

77

- Asian

4,248

- Black

3,101

- Hispanic/Latino

16,418

- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

114

- White

8,595

- Other

375

- Under Investigation

85

CITY / COMMUNITY**

Cases

Case Rate

City of Agoura Hills

6206

29718

City of Alhambra

24658

28433

City of Arcadia

13050

22596

City of Artesia

5770

34355

City of Avalon

286

7392

City of Azusa

17146

34265

City of Baldwin Park

28939

37696

City of Bell

16692

45943

City of Bell Gardens

16825

39063

City of Bellflower

29964

38546

City of Beverly Hills

11213

32483

City of Bradbury

69

6455

City of Burbank

31819

29687

City of Calabasas

5676

23336

City of Carson

33952

36178

City of Cerritos

12845

25656

City of Claremont

9838

26965

City of Commerce*

5725

43806

City of Compton

39369

39407

City of Covina

19682

40141

City of Cudahy

12030

49411

City of Culver City

11370

28521

City of Diamond Bar

13171

22900

City of Downey

45563

39876

City of Duarte

7252

32940

City of El Monte

41704

35563

City of El Segundo

3951

23537

City of Gardena

21294

34732

City of Glendale

58560

28359

City of Glendora

14618

27704

City of Hawaiian Gardens

4901

33395

City of Hawthorne

28756

32388

City of Hermosa Beach

4602

23396

City of Hidden Hills

377

19947

City of Huntington Park

25891

43526

City of Industry

979

224027

City of Inglewood

37646

33144

City of Irwindale

866

59356

City of La Canada Flintridge

4405

21287

City of La Habra Heights

207

3795

City of La Mirada

13761

27745

City of La Puente

15687

38546

City of La Verne

9044

27174

City of Lakewood

26175

32571

City of Lancaster*

62771

38851

City of Lawndale

10336

30749

City of Lomita

5878

28356

City of Lynwood*

30511

42349

City of Malibu

2793

21549

City of Manhattan Beach

7213

20037

City of Maywood

12604

44936

City of Monrovia

11542

29747

City of Montebello

24785

38501

City of Monterey Park

16966

27249

City of Norwalk

41795

38835

City of Palmdale

65620

41279

City of Palos Verdes Estates

2183

16144

City of Paramount

22211

39646

City of Pico Rivera

27263

42410

City of Pomona

63866

40958

City of Rancho Palos Verdes

7375

17253

City of Redondo Beach

15062

21925

City of Rolling Hills

279

14381

City of Rolling Hills Estates

1451

17885

City of Rosemead

14860

26847

City of San Dimas*

10824

31359

City of San Fernando

12542

50959

City of San Gabriel

11049

26979

City of San Marino

2334

17579

City of Santa Clarita

71598

32482

City of Santa Fe Springs

7692

41886

City of Santa Monica

25623

27717

City of Sierra Madre

2307

20994

City of Signal Hill

3968

33636

City of South El Monte

8237

39440

City of South Gate

46310

47180

City of South Pasadena

6093

23387

City of Temple City

10386

28490

City of Torrance

33022

22123

City of Vernon

355

169856

City of Walnut

7315

23958

City of West Covina

38484

35556

City of West Hollywood

10979

29712

City of Westlake Village

434

5191

City of Whittier

30413

34785

Los Angeles

1491619

36879

Los Angeles - Adams-Normandie

3133

38198

Los Angeles - Alsace

4389

35267

Los Angeles - Angeles National Forest

0

0

Los Angeles - Angelino Heights

820

32774

Los Angeles - Arleta

16576

48228

Los Angeles - Atwater Village

4939

33677

Los Angeles - Baldwin Hills

9938

31929

Los Angeles - Bel Air

2378

28212

Los Angeles - Beverly Crest

3253

25972

Los Angeles - Beverlywood

4114

31231

Los Angeles - Boyle Heights*

39779

45784

Los Angeles - Brentwood

8172

26400

Los Angeles - Brookside

149

25645

Los Angeles - Cadillac-Corning

2256

31681

Los Angeles - Canoga Park

24751

37910

Los Angeles - Carthay

4220

29381

Los Angeles - Central

16829

43160

Los Angeles - Century City

3626

28346

Los Angeles - Century Palms/Cove

16010

47415

Los Angeles - Chatsworth

12593

33979

Los Angeles - Cheviot Hills

2472

26955

Los Angeles - Chinatown

2819

35145

Los Angeles - Cloverdale/Cochran

5182

35608

Los Angeles - Country Club Park

4799

31670

Los Angeles - Crenshaw District

5209

37667

Los Angeles - Crestview

3862

33973

Los Angeles - Del Rey

8182

27332

Los Angeles - Downtown*

15772

57338

Los Angeles - Eagle Rock

13375

33785

Los Angeles - East Hollywood

9327

31847

Los Angeles - Echo Park

4393

30815

Los Angeles - El Sereno

16615

39741

Los Angeles - Elysian Park

1804

31583

Los Angeles - Elysian Valley

3496

34372

Los Angeles - Encino

14819

32806

Los Angeles - Exposition

1238

37222

Los Angeles - Exposition Park

17902

39856

Los Angeles - Faircrest Heights

1232

34222

Los Angeles - Figueroa Park Square

3709

42530

Los Angeles - Florence-Firestone

22528

47482

Los Angeles - Glassell Park

10743

33993

Los Angeles - Gramercy Place

4032

37458

Los Angeles - Granada Hills

21035

36148

Los Angeles - Green Meadows

9892

45999

Los Angeles - Hancock Park

4618

27103

Los Angeles - Harbor City

9179

31576

Los Angeles - Harbor Gateway

15376

35266

Los Angeles - Harbor Pines

628

26069

Los Angeles - Harvard Heights

6062

33612

Los Angeles - Harvard Park

17664

46564

Los Angeles - Highland Park

16813

34744

Los Angeles - Historic Filipinotown

5399

38926

Los Angeles - Hollywood

21118

30940

Los Angeles - Hollywood Hills

7455

25328

Los Angeles - Hyde Park

11661

40857

Los Angeles - Jefferson Park

3086

38226

Los Angeles - Koreatown

15933

30822

Los Angeles - Lafayette Square

1557

34152

Los Angeles - Lake Balboa

15914

37706

Los Angeles - Lakeview Terrace

6039

45983

Los Angeles - Leimert Park

5624

36915

Los Angeles - Lincoln Heights

12555

38516

Los Angeles - Little Armenia