Despite High Vaccination Levels, Healthcare Worker Case Numbers Are Rising; New Booster Dose Requirement Aimed at Ensuring Adequate Hospital Staffing - 9 New Deaths, 7,425 New Positive Cases of Confirmed COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

Public Health reports a high proportion of healthcare workers, across a variety of settings, are fully vaccinated (with either two doses of an mRNA vaccine, or one dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine). As of mid-November, 91% of hospital workers, 93% of dialysis workers, and 83% of EMS workers were vaccinated; as of December 12^th, 96% of skilled nursing facility staff were also fully vaccinated. Nevertheless, with increased community transmission, cases among healthcare workers are now rising.

During the week ending on December 18th, a total 292 cases were identified among L.A. County healthcare workers, an increase of 26% from the previous week. Meanwhile, 46% of hospitals in the county are reporting staffing shortages, compared with 20% at the outset of last winter’s case surge.

In alignment with the State of California, LA County’s new Health Officer Order requiring booster doses for all healthcare workers is a key protective step aimed at reducing infections by increasing the numbers of workers with the optimal safety provided by the booster does. And while health care workers are generally highly vaccinated, many have not yet received their booster dose; for example, though fully vaccinated staff rates remain very high in the skilled nursing facility setting, the proportion of those who have received booster doses lags behind at approximately 50-60%.

The revised order, issued December 23rd, requires booster-eligible workers in healthcare settings be boosted by February 1st, 2022 or be tested for COVID-19 twice a week beginning December 27^th (if in acute health care or long-term care settings). The order also recommends all workers upgrade their face coverings to surgical masks or higher-level respirators (such as an N95 mask). The goal of this order is to protect LA County’s healthcare workers, patients, facility residents, and community at large by ensuring an essential workforce remains as healthy and protected as possible.

“I send my heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Keeping healthcare workers safe is critical to maintaining functionality across our healthcare facilities when surges lead to rising rates of hospitalizations,” Ferrer continued. “Across multiple healthcare settings, our health care personnel have given their all and been fully vaccinated at high levels for many months. However, the threat of rising cases and concerning hospital staffing shortages require us to act quickly to ensure that in the face of the high transmissible Omicron variant, our essential workforce has an important added layer of protection.”

Today, Public Health confirmed nine additional deaths and 7,425 new cases of COVID-19. Today’s number of cases and deaths reflect the weekend reporting delays. Of the nine new deaths reported today, three were between the ages of 50 and 64, one was between the ages of 65-79 and five were over the age of 80 years old. Of the nine newly reported deaths, six had underlying conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 27,555.

Public Health has identified a total 1,623,442 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 12.4%; this represents a three-fold increase since last week, reflecting high levels of community transmission.

There are 904 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 9,953,000 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 continues. Additionally, all residents across LA County should:

Get 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
Adhere 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 quarantine.

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 12/26/2021
	Total Cases	NEW
Laboratory Confirmed Cases	1623442	7425
-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)*	1539363	7425
-- Long Beach	69384	0
-- Pasadena	14695	0
Deaths	27555	9
-- Los Angeles County (excl. LB and Pas)	26118	9
-- Long Beach	1067	0
-- Pasadena	370	0
Age Group (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- 0 to 4	40794
- 5 to 11	89910
- 12 to 17	97898
- 18 to 29	369438
- 30 to 49	514938
- 50 to 64	277102
- 65 to 79	109643
- over 80	38710
- Under Investigation	930
Gender (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- Female	774704
- Male	727374
- Other	795
- Under Investigation	36490
Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- American Indian/Alaska Native	2677
- Asian	76349
- Black	77624
- Hispanic/Latino	770104
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	5839
- White	203793
- Other	133708
- Under Investigation	269269
Hospitalization (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- Hospitalized (Ever)	110815
Deaths Race/Ethnicity (Los Angeles County Cases Only-excl LB and Pas)
- American Indian/Alaska Native	60
- Asian	3372
- Black	2336
- Hispanic/Latino	13809
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	97
- White	6209
- Other	200
- Under Investigation	35
CITY / COMMUNITY**	Cases	Case Rate
City of Agoura Hills	1735	8308
City of Alhambra	9137	10536
City of Arcadia	3841	6651
City of Artesia	2573	15320
City of Avalon	35	905
City of Azusa	8048	16083
City of Baldwin Park	15355	20002
City of Bell	7977	21956
City of Bell Gardens	9422	21876
City of Bellflower	13889	17867
City of Beverly Hills	4576	13256
City of Bradbury	44	4116
City of Burbank	12703	11852
City of Calabasas	2170	8922
City of Carson	13268	14138
City of Cerritos	4296	8581
City of Claremont	3296	9034
City of Commerce*	2837	21708
City of Compton	20719	20739
City of Covina	8514	17364
City of Cudahy	5622	23091
City of Culver City	3607	9048
City of Diamond Bar	4499	7822
City of Downey	21973	19230
City of Duarte	3003	13640
City of El Monte	20123	17160
City of El Segundo	1374	8185
City of Gardena	8654	14115
City of Glendale	27550	13342
City of Glendora	6660	12622
City of Hawaiian Gardens	2696	18370
City of Hawthorne	13676	15403
City of Hermosa Beach	1903	9675
City of Hidden Hills	168	8889
City of Huntington Park	13015	21880
City of Industry	202	46224
City of Inglewood	18220	16041
City of Irwindale	332	22755
City of La Canada Flintridge	1350	6524
City of La Habra Heights	131	2401
City of La Mirada	5914	11924
City of La Puente	7927	19478
City of La Verne	4030	12109
City of Lakewood	10386	12924
City of Lancaster*	31750	19651
City of Lawndale	4635	13789
City of Lomita	2170	10468
City of Lynwood*	15785	21909
City of Malibu	903	6967
City of Manhattan Beach	2636	7322
City of Maywood	6058	21598
City of Monrovia	4452	11474
City of Montebello	12317	19133
City of Monterey Park	6121	9831
City of Norwalk	19839	18434
City of Palmdale	32540	20470
City of Palos Verdes Estates	794	5872
City of Paramount	12042	21495
City of Pico Rivera	13367	20794
City of Pomona	31419	20149
City of Rancho Palos Verdes	2452	5736
City of Redondo Beach	5018	7305
City of Rolling Hills	101	5206
City of Rolling Hills Estates	502	6188
City of Rosemead	5992	10826
City of San Dimas*	4423	12814
City of San Fernando	6376	25906
City of San Gabriel	4054	9899
City of San Marino	581	4376
City of Santa Clarita	30928	14031
City of Santa Fe Springs	3617	19696
City of Santa Monica	8743	9457
City of Sierra Madre	771	7016
City of Signal Hill	1614	13681
City of South El Monte	4033	19311
City of South Gate	22430	22852
City of South Pasadena	2052	7876
City of Temple City	3043	8347
City of Torrance	11177	7488
City of Vernon	148	70813
City of Walnut	2417	7916
City of West Covina	16633	15367
City of West Hollywood	4801	12993
City of Westlake Village	170	2033
City of Whittier	14187	16226
Los Angeles	665114	16444
Los Angeles - Adams-Normandie	1482	18069
Los Angeles - Alsace	1991	15998
Los Angeles - Angeles National Forest	5	12500
Los Angeles - Angelino Heights	396	15827
Los Angeles - Arleta	8264	24044
Los Angeles - Atwater Village	1976	13473
Los Angeles - Baldwin Hills	4017	12906
Los Angeles - Bel Air	772	9159
Los Angeles - Beverly Crest	1218	9725
Los Angeles - Beverlywood	1613	12245
Los Angeles - Boyle Heights*	20177	23223
Los Angeles - Brentwood	2877	9294
Los Angeles - Brookside	57	9811
Los Angeles - Cadillac-Corning	967	13580
Los Angeles - Canoga Park	11789	18057
Los Angeles - Carthay	1664	11585
Los Angeles - Central	8726	22379
Los Angeles - Century City	1057	8263
Los Angeles - Century Palms/Cove	7709	22831
Los Angeles - Chatsworth	5111	13791
Los Angeles - Cheviot Hills	821	8952
Los Angeles - Chinatown	1084	13515
Los Angeles - Cloverdale/Cochran	2161	14849
Los Angeles - Country Club Park	2033	13416
Los Angeles - Crenshaw District	2065	14932
Los Angeles - Crestview	1600	14075
Los Angeles - Del Rey	3231	10793
Los Angeles - Downtown*	6424	23354
Los Angeles - Eagle Rock	4916	12418
Los Angeles - East Hollywood	4157	14194
Los Angeles - Echo Park	1961	13756
Los Angeles - El Sereno	7656	18312
Los Angeles - Elysian Park	764	13375
Los Angeles - Elysian Valley	1609	15819
Los Angeles - Encino	5459	12085
Los Angeles - Exposition	487	14642
Los Angeles - Exposition Park	7842	17459
Los Angeles - Faircrest Heights	450	12500
Los Angeles - Figueroa Park Square	1727	19803
Los Angeles - Florence-Firestone	11075	23343
Los Angeles - Glassell Park	4472	14150
Los Angeles - Gramercy Place	1882	17484
Los Angeles - Granada Hills	8943	15368
Los Angeles - Green Meadows	4790	22274
Los Angeles - Hancock Park	1750	10271
Los Angeles - Harbor City	3560	12246
Los Angeles - Harbor Gateway	6450	14794
Los Angeles - Harbor Pines	240	9963
Los Angeles - Harvard Heights	3040	16856
Los Angeles - Harvard Park	8800	23198
Los Angeles - Highland Park	7408	15309
Los Angeles - Historic Filipinotown	2544	18342
Los Angeles - Hollywood	9352	13702
Los Angeles - Hollywood Hills	3015	10243
Los Angeles - Hyde Park	5085	17816
Los Angeles - Jefferson Park	1451	17973
Los Angeles - Koreatown	6916	13379
Los Angeles - Lafayette Square	693	15201
Los Angeles - Lake Balboa	7071	16754
Los Angeles - Lakeview Terrace	2828	21534
Los Angeles - Leimert Park	2310	15162
Los Angeles - Lincoln Heights	6142	18842
Los Angeles - Little Armenia	1449	18056
Los Angeles - Little Bangladesh	3564	12575
Los Angeles - Little Tokyo	577	18417
Los Angeles - Longwood	752	17472
Los Angeles - Los Feliz	1994	9228
Los Angeles - Manchester Square	1370	16050
Los Angeles - Mandeville Canyon	262	8387
Los Angeles - Mar Vista	3621	8526
Los Angeles - Marina Peninsula	329	7546
Los Angeles - Melrose	11729	15096
Los Angeles - Mid-city	1776	11816
Los Angeles - Miracle Mile	1865	10370
Los Angeles - Mission Hills	5466	22658
Los Angeles - Mt. Washington	3615	14972
Los Angeles - North Hills	11435	18571
Los Angeles - North Hollywood	27512	18169
Los Angeles - Northridge	10301	14759
Los Angeles - Pacific Palisades	1522	7149
Los Angeles - Pacoima	20056	26054
Los Angeles - Palisades Highlands	271	7046
Los Angeles - Palms	4211	9597
Los Angeles - Panorama City	15985	21243
Los Angeles - Park La Brea	1123	8270
Los Angeles - Pico-Union	8246	19707
Los Angeles - Playa Del Rey	232	7259
Los Angeles - Playa Vista	1146	10469
Los Angeles - Porter Ranch	3756	10554
Los Angeles - Rancho Park	680	10366
Los Angeles - Regent Square	367	13201
Los Angeles - Reseda	14645	19115
Los Angeles - Reseda Ranch	873	18831
Los Angeles - Reynier Village	406	9603
Los Angeles - San Pedro*	10398	13324
Los Angeles - Shadow Hills	574	12922
Los Angeles - Sherman Oaks	9966	11422
Los Angeles - Silverlake	5094	11555
Los Angeles - South Carthay	1274	12025
Los Angeles - South Park	8697	22910
Los Angeles - St Elmo Village	824	17976
Los Angeles - Studio City	2453	10931
Los Angeles - Sun Valley	11512	21935
Los Angeles - Sunland	3073	15058
Los Angeles - Sycamore Square	66	10201
Los Angeles - Sylmar*	19949	24211
Los Angeles - Tarzana	4660	15093
Los Angeles - Temple-Beaudry	6443	16319
Los Angeles - Thai Town	1282	13070
Los Angeles - Toluca Lake	914	10501
Los Angeles - Toluca Terrace	214	16386
Los Angeles - Toluca Woods	191 #####