L.A. COVID-19 Cases Among Healthcare Workers Decline

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Sept 7 – Reflecting the recent overall trend in Los Angeles County, cases among healthcare workers increased in early June through early August and have begun to decline over the past several weeks. During the week ending August 7, there were 534 new cases of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. During the week ending September 2, there were 291 new cases among healthcare workers reported across the county; 178 cases were reported among vaccinated healthcare workers and 113 among unvaccinated workers.

Since the pandemic began, 44,441 healthcare workers and first responders have tested positive for COVID-19. To date, 284 healthcare workers have tragically passed away from COVID-19, with almost all deaths occurring between July 2020 and February 2021. Vaccinations for healthcare workers began in December 2020. Since late-May, 11 healthcare workers have passed away from COVID-19.

By September 30, healthcare workers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Currently, healthcare facilities, including long-term care facilities and high-risk congregate facilities, must verify the vaccine status of all workers and comply with respirator, masking, and testing mandates.

Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 9 new deaths and 1,060 new cases of COVID-19. The number of cases and deaths reflect reporting delays over the holiday. Of the nine new deaths reported today, three people who passed away were over the age of 80, one person who died was between the ages of 65 and 79, three people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health identified 1,421,616 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 25,465 deaths.

There are 1,463 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, a decrease of 246 people over the past week.

Testing results are available for nearly 8,300,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 2.7%.

“To the families and friends grieving the loss of a loved one, we send our deepest condolences and wish you healing,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Reflecting the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, deaths among healthcare workers are low. As we have implemented layers of protection, including universal masking indoors, and continue to increase overall vaccination coverage, we are seeing declines in L.A. County metrics. Of the nearly 10.3 million L.A. County residents, including those who are not yet eligible for the vaccine, 56% are fully vaccinated. When we keep increasing vaccination coverage, while masking up and applying other layers of protection, we break the chain of transmission and protect the most vulnerable and the 1.3 million children not yet eligible for vaccine.”

COVID-19 vaccinations are available at many different sites across the county that have weekend and evening hours. Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. Many vaccination sites across the county, including all the County-run sites, are also offering third doses of vaccine to eligible immunocompromised people. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

According to the CDC as of today，Total Cases in US is 40,085,811；Total Vaccines Administered is 375,995,378; Total Deaths in US is 647,461. The COVID-19 pandemic trend is very worrying.