Public Health Statement Regarding COVID-19 and Patient Privacy

LOS ANGELES – In compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is diligent about the protection of patient privacy. Though we work to provide useful information to the public about cases of COVID-19 in LA County, we are careful not to include information that would lead to the identification of specific patients. We extend this protection to everyone, and ask that all interested parties respect the privacy of others in the same way.

We are disappointed that the sharing of information, which in some cases is unconfirmed and in others simply inaccurate, has resulted in the unnecessary stigmatization of certain members of our community. COVID-19 does not discriminate by age, race, religion or income level, and no member of our community should be stigmatized when they have the misfortune of contracting this disease.

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.publichea lth.lacounty.gov , and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/l acounty.gov, and follow LA County Public Health on social media at twitter.com/lap ublichealth, facebook.co m/lapublichealth, instagra m.com/lapublichealth and youtube.com/ lapublichealth.

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