LOS ANGELES, Calif. Oct 1 – COVID-19 case numbers among staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities continue to decline over recent weeks.
During the week ending August 8, 123 cases were reported among residents and staff at skilled nursing facilities. In the week ending September 19, 41 people tested positive for COVID-19 at skilled nursing facilities: 25 new cases were among skilled nursing facility residents and 16 new cases were among skilled nursing facility staff. Fifty-two percent of new cases the week ending September 19 at skilled nursing facilities are among staff/residents that are fully vaccinated.
Currently, 88% of residents and 91% of staff at skilled nursing facilities are fully vaccinated. Skilled nursing facilities are subject to strict infection control precautions and are also required to verify the vaccine status of all workers and conduct routine testing of staff and residents. As of yesterday, all staff at skilled nursing facilities, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19; those with an approved medical or religious exemption need to be tested twice weekly.
Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 20 new deaths and 1,485 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 20 new deaths reported today, five people who passed away were over the age of 80, four people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 10 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health identified 1,460,645 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,126 deaths.
There are 872 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, and 28% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 8,660,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.7%.
“I send my deepest sympathies to everyone mourning loved ones and friends who have passed away from COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We thank all healthcare workers complying with the State and County vaccination requirements. Their support ensures we are protecting each other and our patients as we comply with these and other public health safety measures. We also support the State as they plan to add COVID-19 to the list of already required vaccines for schools. Among L.A. County teens 12 to 17 years old eligible for the vaccine, 59% are fully vaccinated. With vaccines an extremely safe and highly protective defense against COVID-19, we remain focused on increasing vaccination rates as quickly as possible.”
Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Boosters are available for eligible individuals at all sites offering the Pfizer vaccine. Many vaccination sites across the county, including all the County-run sites, are also offering third doses of vaccine to eligible immunocompromised people. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.
Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more. If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound.
COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, 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.