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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 16, 2021

L.A. County Test Positivity Rate Hits Record Low as Vaccinations Increase - 36 New Deaths and 643 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 36 new deaths and 643 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,228,114 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 23,601 deaths.

Testing results are available for nearly 6,272,000 individuals with 18% of people testing positive. Today's daily test positivity rate is 1%, the lowest test positivity rate since the beginning of the pandemic. The test positivity rate peaked over 20% in late-December during the surge.

Nearly 5,400,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people across Los Angeles County. Of these, nearly 3,500,000 were first doses and more than 1,900,000 were second doses. As of April 9, 71% of L.A. County residents 65 and older received at least one dose of the vaccine. In total, 41% of the County’s population 16 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine.

Los Angeles County expanded the number of sites offering vaccination services across the county from 566 locations last week to 709 vaccinations sites across the county this week; 266 sites are in the hardest hit communities. Vaccination sites across the county had capacity to administer nearly 734,000 doses this week. This week, 323,470 total doses were allocated to Los Angeles County.

Next week, Public Health is expecting to receive approximately 362,000 vaccine doses; an increase of nearly 39,000 doses from this week. Approximately 68% of next week’s vaccine supply will be for first doses and 32% for second doses. Of the 362,000 doses of vaccine the County expects to receive next week, 73% of doses will go to sites located in the most vulnerable communities.

Additional doses will be allocated directly from federal partners and the state to pharmacies, health clinics, FEMA sites, and multi-county entities. Together, Public Health estimates over 600,000 doses of vaccine will be allocated to vaccination sites across the county next week.

Of the 36 new deaths reported today, 11 people that passed away were over the age of 80, 11 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, six people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, three people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29. Three deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and one death was reported by the City of Pasadena.

"To the families that are grieving the loss of a loved one to COVID-19, we extend our deepest condolences to you," said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. "Fully vaccinated people are less likely to get and spread COVID-19 and so many lives have already been saved because residents are getting vaccinated and because businesses and residents continue to follow Health Officer safety measures. Getting vaccinated and following the safety measures provides the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19 and will keep community transmission low and help us move forward our recovery journey."

There are 512 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 24% of these people are in the ICU.

Everyone living or working in L.A. County 16 and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. To learn how to make an appointment, what verifications patients will need to show at your vaccination appointment, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

County Reopening Protocols, 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 1228114*

Deaths 23601

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. 43 cases and 4 deaths 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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