Cases Among People Experiencing Homelessness Decline 17 New Deaths and 1,005 New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in LA County

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Oct 13 – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) said today, With continued countywide slowing transmission of COVID-19, cases among people experiencing homelessness have declined from 188 weekly cases in August to 107 new cases reported this week.

The number of new cases reported this week includes 67 cases from previous weeks that have been newly identified as cases associated with people experiencing homelessness and are in the new case totals. Tragically, seven people experiencing homelessness passed away from COVID-19 this week. To date, 9,307 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County have tested positive for COVID-19 and 244 people who were experiencing homelessness have passed away from COVID-19. Of these people who passed away, 116 were sheltered, 78 were unsheltered, and for 50 people who passed away, their shelter status was unknown.

There are 1,225 providers administering vaccinations to people experiencing homelessness; together, they have administered over 59,702 doses of COVID-19 vaccine across Los Angeles County; 30,285 people experiencing homelessness are fully vaccinated.

The County continues to work closely with partner organizations to vaccinate and protect people experiencing homelessness from COVID-19 and is offering first, second, and third doses to eligible people.

Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) confirms 17 new deaths and 1,005 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 17 new deaths reported today, four people who passed away were over the age of 80, seven people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, two people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and four people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49.

To date, Public Health has identified 1,473,410 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,353 deaths.

There are 684 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 26% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 8,820,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 1.0%.

“We send our deepest condolences to everyone who has lost a family member or friend to COVID-19. May they live within your hearts forever,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We are grateful to all those supporting and caring for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. As we have seen over the past six months, lowering community transmission has a ripple effect of reducing cases among those most vulnerable – people experiencing homelessness, residents at nursing homes and children under 12. The most powerful – even if not perfect – tool for slowing spread and saving lives and livelihoods are the three COVID-19 vaccines. Let’s stay focused on getting vaccines to every neighborhood and to everyone not yet vaccinated so that we end this pandemic.”

Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated for COVID-19 to get vaccinated now to be fully protected for the holidays. Vaccinations are widely available throughout L.A. County and 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.

Vaccinated middle and high school students are eligible for free UCLA football tickets. 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://ph.lacounty.gov/DPHUCLAVaxforTix.

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. 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.