28 New Deaths and 1,222 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Oct 7 – Starting tonight, new vaccine requirements will go into effect at select establishments across L.A. County. The vaccination requirements applying to indoor portions of bars, lounges, nightclubs, breweries, wineries, and distilleries affect all patrons 12 or older and all employees.

Prior to entering indoor portions of these establishments, customers and employees will need to show proof of vaccination along with a photo ID. As of tonight, proof of at least one dose will be adequate for admission, and on November 4, patrons and employees will need to show proof of full vaccination prior to entering.

There are also new requirements in effect for outdoor mega events, including large sport arenas and theme parks, where all attendees age 12 or older will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result to enter. Beginning November 1, a photo ID will also need to be shown for attendees 18 and older along with proof of full vaccination or a negative test result.

So if you are going to a Halloween event at a large theme park, or you’re cheering on any LA sports teams by attending a game at an indoor or outdoor arena, please be prepared to show your proof of vaccination or negative test result if you are 12 or older.

Beginning November 6, a recently passed LA City ordinance requires proof of vaccination from individuals eligible to receive a COVID vaccine to enter the indoor portions of many establishments in the City of LA, including restaurants, personal care establishments, fitness venues, entertainment and recreation venues, along with large outdoor events.

Today, Public Health confirms 28 new deaths and 1,222 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 28 new deaths reported today, five people who passed away were over the age of 80, 10 people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 11 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and one person who died was between the ages of 18 and 29. One death was reported by the City of Pasadena. To date, Public Health identified 1,467,450 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,254 deaths.

There are 750 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 28% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 8,740,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.1%.

On September 29, the County had a daily average of 1,028 new cases, a 23% decrease from the prior week and daily hospitalizations declined 13% to 900. Meanwhile, deaths decreased to a daily average of 13, a drop over the past week of 28%. While we are relieved to see deaths decreasing, it is still heartbreaking to know we are still seeing so many premature and largely preventable deaths each week as a result of this disease.

County schools continue to prove that vaccines and other preventive measures, especially masking, are extremely effective. Last week, there were 705 student cases and more than 3,100 student close contacts, decreases of nearly 50% in both groups. Among staff, there were only 97 cases and 51 close contacts. The mitigation strategies school partners have worked so hard to put in place are the driving force behind these downward trends, and we are grateful for all the effort to keep staff, students and their families safe.

There’s now an additional reason to get vaccinated if you’re a middle or high school student in L.A. County. UCLA has partnered with Public Health to give away free tickets to a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl to middle or high school students in L.A. County who’ve received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while tickets last. Students aged 12 to 18 who’ve received at least one dose can sign up for the free tickets online by visiting: http://tinyurl.com/DPHUCLATickets.

“Our deepest condolences go out to everyone who is grieving the loss of a neighbor, coworker, family member, or friend during this time,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Doing our part increasingly means being vaccinated if we plan on entering places where there is an increased risk of virus transmission or work in settings where we provide others with services. During a pandemic, requiring vaccinations in these settings is a sensible requirement that acknowledges our collective obligation to ensure safety and save lives.”

As the fall holidays are close, residents of all ages are looking forward to safely celebrating Halloween. The safest activities will be those that are outside, including outdoor costume parties, pumpkin patch visits, outdoor ghost tours, hayrides, and trick-or-treating – when done safely. It is best to set up trick-or-treat events outdoors, limit treats to commercially packaged, non-perishable items, set up stations with individually packaged bags so trick-or-treaters can grab and go at each stop, and keep a distance from other trick-or-treaters.

Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated for COVID-19 to get vaccinated ahead of time to be fully protected for the holidays. If you are unvaccinated, you can visit any local site to get your first vaccine; and if you’re due for a booster shot, you can get one at any site that offer Pfizer vaccines.

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. Appointments are not needed at many sites and all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second, and third doses are available.