LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
News Release
Los Angeles County Public Health Logo

313 N. Figueroa Street, Room 806  |  Los Angeles, CA 90012  |  (213) 240-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

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For Immediate Release:

December 17, 2021

High Compliance with Masking Requirements Keeps L.A. County Residents Safe and Healthy; CDC recommends mRNA vaccines over Johnson and Johnson - Public Health is Reporting 3,360 New Cases, 8 New Omicron Cases and 27 New Deaths of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Public Health data suggests that public mask wearing is one of the most effective strategies at reducing the spread of the virus when compliance is high.

In L.A. County schools, where mask wearing is mandatory indoors, this practice (in combination with other mitigation strategies and outbreak management) has kept transmission low. This protective effect was demonstrable even in elementary schools before 5-11 year old were eligible for vaccines. With more than 1.55 million students across 3,000 L.A. County schools, Public Health is routinely seeing less than a dozen outbreaks each week.

Public and business sector masking compliance is high, indicating the broad understanding that this small behavior change adds a layer of protection that enables us to engage in our customary activities without endangering ourselves or others. Public Health regularly conducts site visits to assess mask compliance across a variety of L.A. County businesses, during which we determine compliance among customers, employees and their staff, and overall safety requirements. Out of more than 1500 site visits conducted between December 4th-10th, the vast majority of businesses and industries, including restaurants, bars, food markets and hair salons, had masking compliance rates above 95%.

Public Health notes yesterday’s endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control of updated recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention of COVID-19, expressing clinical preference for adults 18+ to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. As of December 12th, over 530,000 residents in L.A. County have received a dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine. We remind residents that L.A. County’s supply of mRNA vaccines is abundant and that when it is time to get a booster dose, individuals previously vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should consider boosters with Pfizer or Moderna.

“Masking requirements reduce transmission without much disruption to people’s routines and allow businesses to reduce risk for their customers, and workers,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the business community of L.A. County for leading by example on masking as champions for public health. The take home message is clear: masking creates safety for employees and customers, reduces COVID transmission in our communities and helps everyone stay safe here in L.A. County.”

Ferrer continued, “We appreciate the CDC’s guidance on vaccine choice. While any vaccine is better than no vaccine, we urge those who have received Johnson and Johnson vaccines to obtain booster doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to ensure they are well protected from both suffering severe Covid outcomes and transmitting infection to others.”

Today, Public Health confirmed 27 additional deaths and 3,360 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 27 new deaths reported today, two people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49, four were between the ages of 50 and 64, eight were between the ages of 65-79 and twelve were over the age of 80 years old. Of the 27 newly reported deaths, 22 had underlying conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 27,413. Information on the one death reported by the City of Long Beach is available at: www.LongBeach.gov

Of the 8 new Omicron cases, five people were fully vaccinated and one received a booster. One person reported international travel and one person reported domestic travel.

Public Health has identified a total 1,556,685 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 1.6%.

There are 772 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 9,720,000 individuals, with 15% of people testing positive.

Public Health would like to remind residents that getting vaccinated or boosted remains critical as holiday traveling and gatherings begin. Additionally, all residents across L.A. County should continue:

· Getting tested to help reduce the spread, especially if you traveled for the holidays, have had a possible exposure, or have symptoms, or are gathering with people not in your household.

· Adhering to masking requirements when indoors or at large outdoor mega events, regardless of vaccination status.


Residents are also reminded that they are legally required to be isolated if they have a positive COVID test result and that vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to be quarantined.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for everyone 5 years old and older to help protect against COVID-19. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites and many community sites where first, second, and third doses are available.

To find a vaccination site near you, or to make an appointment, please visit:

www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) or www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish).

If you need assistance, you can also call 1-833-540-0473 for help:

Finding an appointment

Connect to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or

Schedule a home visit if you are homebound.

For more information regarding COVID-19 in LA County you can also visit the Public Health website at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov here you will find information on:

COVID-19 sector protocols & best practices,

COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboards, and

COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive and, Recovery Dashboards

Please see additional information below:

Cases through 6:00pm 12/16/2021

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

1556685

-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*

1474336

-- Long Beach

68198

-- Pasadena

14151

Deaths

27413

-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)

25983

-- Long Beach

1062

-- Pasadena

368

Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

- 0 to 4

39401

- 5 to 11

87007

- 12 to 17

94781

- 18 to 29

347378

- 30 to 49

489446

- 50 to 64

269637

- 65 to 79

107512

- over 80

38276

- Under Investigation

898

Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

- Female

741908

- Male

696977

- Other

778

- Under Investigation

34673

Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

- American Indian/Alaska Native

2545

- Asian

71291

- Black

72337

- Hispanic/Latino

752916

- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

5424

- White

188965

- Other

125419

- Under Investigation

255439

Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

- Hospitalized (Ever)

109805

Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)

- American Indian/Alaska Native

59

- Asian

3368

- Black

2314

- Hispanic/Latino

13754

- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

95

- White

6166

- Other

196

- Under Investigation

31

CITY / COMMUNITY**

Cases

City of Agoura Hills

1604

City of Alhambra

8638

City of Arcadia

3617

City of Artesia

2527

City of Avalon

35

City of Azusa

7795

City of Baldwin Park

15081

City of Bell

7828

City of Bell Gardens

9263

City of Bellflower

13546

City of Beverly Hills

3937

City of Bradbury

42

City of Burbank

11970

City of Calabasas

1939

City of Carson

12722

City of Cerritos

4031

City of Claremont

3105

City of Commerce*

2778

City of Compton

20294

City of Covina

8173

City of Cudahy

5541

City of Culver City

3185

City of Diamond Bar

4254

City of Downey

21327

City of Duarte

2884

City of El Monte

19708

City of El Segundo

1188

City of Gardena

8300

City of Glendale

26263

City of Glendora

6375

City of Hawaiian Gardens

2651

City of Hawthorne

13157

City of Hermosa Beach

1703

City of Hidden Hills

149

City of Huntington Park

12790

City of Industry

199

City of Inglewood

17440

City of Irwindale

318

City of La Canada Flintridge

1214

City of La Habra Heights

131

City of La Mirada

5690

City of La Puente

7779

City of La Verne

3846

City of Lakewood

9988

City of Lancaster*

30964

City of Lawndale

4462

City of Lomita

2073

City of Lynwood*

15473

City of Malibu

780

City of Manhattan Beach

2296

City of Maywood

5963

City of Monrovia

4233

City of Montebello

11954

City of Monterey Park

5827

City of Norwalk

19245

City of Palmdale

31856

City of Palos Verdes Estates

735

City of Paramount

11776

City of Pico Rivera

13047

City of Pomona

30695

City of Rancho Palos Verdes

2305

City of Redondo Beach

4504

City of Rolling Hills

93

City of Rolling Hills Estates

471

City of Rosemead

5803

City of San Dimas*

4223

City of San Fernando

6220

City of San Gabriel

3876

City of San Marino

517

City of Santa Clarita

29459

City of Santa Fe Springs

3514

City of Santa Monica

7433

City of Sierra Madre

720

City of Signal Hill

1543

City of South El Monte

3948

City of South Gate

21993

City of South Pasadena

1833

City of Temple City

2899

City of Torrance

10487

City of Vernon

143

City of Walnut

2268

City of West Covina

15985

City of West Hollywood

4007

City of Westlake Village

162

City of Whittier

13720

Los Angeles

633057

Los Angeles - Adams-Normandie

1424

Los Angeles - Alsace

1922

Los Angeles - Angeles National Forest

5

Los Angeles - Angelino Heights

366

Los Angeles - Arleta

8111

Los Angeles - Atwater Village

1833

Los Angeles - Baldwin Hills

3770

Los Angeles - Bel Air

657

Los Angeles - Beverly Crest

1008

Los Angeles - Beverlywood

1424

Los Angeles - Boyle Heights*

19783

Los Angeles - Brentwood

2363

Los Angeles - Brookside

52

Los Angeles - Cadillac-Corning

910

Los Angeles - Canoga Park

11454

Los Angeles - Carthay

1424

Los Angeles - Central

8585

Los Angeles - Century City

921

Los Angeles - Century Palms/Cove

7527

Los Angeles - Chatsworth

4919

Los Angeles - Cheviot Hills

704

Los Angeles - Chinatown

986

Los Angeles - Cloverdale/Cochran

2039

Los Angeles - Country Club Park

1924

Los Angeles - Crenshaw District

1944

Los Angeles - Crestview

1436

Los Angeles - Del Rey

2896

Los Angeles - Downtown*

5736

Los Angeles - Eagle Rock

4613

Los Angeles - East Hollywood

3947

Los Angeles - Echo Park

1771

Los Angeles - El Sereno

7411

Los Angeles - Elysian Park

690

Los Angeles - Elysian Valley

1541

Los Angeles - Encino

4963

Los Angeles - Exposition

467

Los Angeles - Exposition Park

7585

Los Angeles - Faircrest Heights

396

Los Angeles - Figueroa Park Square

1673

Los Angeles - Florence-Firestone

10857

Los Angeles - Glassell Park

4232

Los Angeles - Gramercy Place

1814

Los Angeles - Granada Hills

8569

Los Angeles - Green Meadows

4666

Los Angeles - Hancock Park

1549

Los Angeles - Harbor City

3411

Los Angeles - Harbor Gateway

6268

Los Angeles - Harbor Pines

231

Los Angeles - Harvard Heights

2949

Los Angeles - Harvard Park

8607

Los Angeles - Highland Park

6954

Los Angeles - Historic Filipinotown

2421

Los Angeles - Hollywood

8213

Los Angeles - Hollywood Hills

2578

Los Angeles - Hyde Park

4889

Los Angeles - Jefferson Park

1398

Los Angeles - Koreatown

6567

Los Angeles - Lafayette Square

653

Los Angeles - Lake Balboa

6817

Los Angeles - Lakeview Terrace

2746

Los Angeles - Leimert Park

2178

Los Angeles - Lincoln Heights

5967

Los Angeles - Little Armenia

1387

Los Angeles - Little Bangladesh

3359

Los Angeles - Little Tokyo

537

Los Angeles - Longwood

712

Los Angeles - Los Feliz

1699

Los Angeles - Manchester Square

1303

Los Angeles - Mandeville Canyon

222

Los Angeles - Mar Vista

3182

Los Angeles - Marina Peninsula

268

Los Angeles - Melrose

10699

Los Angeles - Mid-city

1621

Los Angeles - Miracle Mile

1586

Los Angeles - Mission Hills

5302

Los Angeles - Mt. Washington

3427

Los Angeles - North Hills

11180

Los Angeles - North Hollywood

26294

Los Angeles - Northridge

9865

Los Angeles - Pacific Palisades

1298

Los Angeles - Pacoima

19748

Los Angeles - Palisades Highlands

228

Los Angeles - Palms

3697

Los Angeles - Panorama City

15678

Los Angeles - Park La Brea

979

Los Angeles - Pico-Union

8044

Los Angeles - Playa Del Rey

200

Los Angeles - Playa Vista

974

Los Angeles - Porter Ranch

3532

Los Angeles - Rancho Park

574

Los Angeles - Regent Square

344

Los Angeles - Reseda

14169

Los Angeles - Reseda Ranch

849

Los Angeles - Reynier Village

363

Los Angeles - San Pedro*

9944

Los Angeles - Shadow Hills

540

Los Angeles - Sherman Oaks

8963

Los Angeles - Silverlake

4514

Los Angeles - South Carthay

1083

Los Angeles - South Park

8580

Los Angeles - St Elmo Village

801

Los Angeles - Studio City

2184

Los Angeles - Sun Valley

11243

Los Angeles - Sunland

2944

Los Angeles - Sycamore Square

58

Los Angeles - Sylmar*

19393

Los Angeles - Tarzana

4454

Los Angeles - Temple-Beaudry

6116

Los Angeles - Thai Town

1184

Los Angeles - Toluca Lake

826

Los Angeles - Toluca Terrace

199

Los Angeles - Toluca Woods

177

Los Angeles - Tujunga

3833

Los Angeles - University Hills

348

Los Angeles - University Park

4442

Los Angeles - Valley Glen

4897

Los Angeles - Valley Village

3041

Los Angeles - Van Nuys*

17471

Los Angeles - Venice

3057

Los Angeles - Vermont Knolls

3504

Los Angeles - Vermont Square

1783

Los Angeles - Vermont Vista

9092

Los Angeles - Vernon Central

12591

Los Angeles - Victoria Park

1233

Los Angeles - View Heights

317

Los Angeles - Watts

9052

Los Angeles - Wellington Square

721

Los Angeles - West Adams

4794

Los Angeles - West Hills

4330

Los Angeles - West Los Angeles

3583

Los Angeles - West Vernon

11875

Los Angeles - Westchester

3919

Los Angeles - Westlake

9068

Los Angeles - Westwood

4101

Los Angeles - Wholesale District*

9331

Los Angeles - Wilmington

10301

Los Angeles - Wilshire Center

6781

Los Angeles - Winnetka

8376

Los Angeles - Woodland Hills

7449

Unincorporated - Acton

865

Unincorporated - Agua Dulce

450

Unincorporated - Altadena

4345

Unincorporated - Anaverde

194

Unincorporated - Angeles National Forest

44

Unincorporated - Arcadia

773

Unincorporated - Athens-Westmont

7979

Unincorporated - Athens Village

1236

Unincorporated - Avocado Heights

1311

Unincorporated - Azusa

2877

Unincorporated - Bassett

2995

Unincorporated - Bouquet Canyon

86

Unincorporated - Bradbury

52

Unincorporated - Canyon Country

1258

Unincorporated - Castaic*

4710

Unincorporated - Cerritos

80

Unincorporated - Charter Oak

0

Unincorporated - Claremont

57

Unincorporated - Covina

2885

Unincorporated - Covina (Charter Oak)

1946

Unincorporated - Del Aire

422

Unincorporated - Del Rey

41

Unincorporated - Del Sur

283

Unincorporated - Desert View Highlands

463

Unincorporated - Duarte

969

Unincorporated - East Covina

47

Unincorporated - East La Mirada

684

Unincorporated - East Lancaster

19

Unincorporated - East Los Angeles

28600

Unincorporated - East Pasadena

248

Unincorporated - East Rancho Dominguez

3238

Unincorporated - East Whittier

627

Unincorporated - El Camino Village

1030

Unincorporated - El Monte

24

Unincorporated - Elizabeth Lake

128

Unincorporated - Florence-Firestone

15520

Unincorporated - Franklin Canyon

1

Unincorporated - Glendora

90

Unincorporated - Hacienda Heights

6343

Unincorporated - Harbor Gateway

0

Unincorporated - Hawthorne

363

Unincorporated - Hi Vista

80

Unincorporated - Kagel/Lopez Canyons

324

Unincorporated - La Crescenta-Montrose

1545

Unincorporated - La Habra Heights

16

Unincorporated - La Rambla

341

Unincorporated - La Verne*

226

Unincorporated - Ladera Heights

608

Unincorporated - Lake Hughes

77

Unincorporated - Lake Los Angeles

2037

Unincorporated - Lake Manor

192

Unincorporated - Lakewood

0

Unincorporated - Lennox

4062

Unincorporated - Leona Valley

182

Unincorporated - Littlerock

701

Unincorporated - Littlerock/Juniper Hills

176

Unincorporated - Littlerock/Pearblossom

648

Unincorporated - Llano

62

Unincorporated - Marina del Rey

779

Unincorporated - Miracle Mile

0

Unincorporated - Monrovia

472

Unincorporated - Newhall

70

Unincorporated - North Lancaster

218

Unincorporated - North Whittier

1348

Unincorporated - Northeast San Gabriel

1998

Unincorporated - Padua Hills

14

Unincorporated - Palmdale

142

Unincorporated - Palos Verdes Peninsula

35

Unincorporated - Pearblossom/Llano

196

Unincorporated - Pellissier Village

198

Unincorporated - Placerita Canyon

5

Unincorporated - Pomona

82

Unincorporated - Quartz Hill

1887

Unincorporated - Rancho Dominguez

497

Unincorporated - Roosevelt

116

Unincorporated - Rosewood

205

Unincorporated - Rosewood/East Gardena

201

Unincorporated - Rosewood/West Rancho Dominguez

635

Unincorporated - Rowland Heights

4423

Unincorporated - San Clemente Island

0

Unincorporated - San Francisquito Canyon/Bouquet Canyon

23

Unincorporated - San Jose Hills

4013

Unincorporated - San Pasqual

44

Unincorporated - Sand Canyon

24

Unincorporated - Santa Catalina Island

258

Unincorporated - Santa Monica Mountains*

1167

Unincorporated - Saugus

190

Unincorporated - Saugus/Canyon Country

55

Unincorporated - South Antelope Valley

50

Unincorporated - South El Monte

413

Unincorporated - South San Gabriel

1124

Unincorporated - South Whittier

10061

Unincorporated - Southeast Antelope Valley

114

Unincorporated - Stevenson Ranch

1927

Unincorporated - Sun Village

1142

Unincorporated - Sunrise Village

218

Unincorporated - Twin Lakes/Oat Mountain

147

Unincorporated - Val Verde

460

Unincorporated - Valencia

327

Unincorporated - Valinda

4483

Unincorporated - View Park/Windsor Hills

1079

Unincorporated - Walnut Park

3487

Unincorporated - West Antelope Valley

78

Unincorporated - West Carson

2893

Unincorporated - West Chatsworth

4

Unincorporated - West LA

219

Unincorporated - West Puente Valley

2026

Unincorporated - West Rancho Dominguez

239

Unincorporated - West Whittier/Los Nietos

5056

Unincorporated - Westfield/Academy Hills

71

Unincorporated - Westhills

72

Unincorporated - White Fence Farms

434

Unincorporated - Whittier

389

Unincorporated - Whittier Narrows

55

Unincorporated - Willowbrook

8243

Unincorporated - Wiseburn

670

- Under Investigation

18963





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