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) 288-8144  |  media@ph.lacounty.gov

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For Immediate Release:

December 16, 2022

As COVID-19 Deaths, Hospitalizations Surpass December 2021 Levels, Public Health Officials Ask Residents to Help Limit Community Transmission - 3,257 New Positive Cases and 20 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County

As deaths and hospitalizations continue to rise in Los Angeles County, surpassing numbers seen at this time last year, Public Health officials are asking residents to play an important role in limiting the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday season by updating their vaccines, masking indoors, testing before gatherings, and staying home when sick.

This week, Los Angeles County remains in the High Community Level based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designation, despite a decrease in reported cases. There was an average of nearly 2,920 cases reported per day, a nearly 20% decrease from the 7-day average of 3,639 cases reported per day last week.

Los Angeles County, however, witnessed a troubling doubling in the reported 7-day average of deaths per day from 2 weeks ago, currently to 16 this week, including the county’s 20th confirmed pediatric death. This milestone is a somber reminder of the nearly 34,400 precious lives lost in Los Angeles County since the pandemic began.

Although the number of reported COVID-19 cases declined slightly in Los Angeles County, they remain more than 120% higher than numbers observed one month ago and wastewater data reaffirms that transmission of COVID is currently high. For the most recent week reported, the viral concentration of SARS-CoV-2 observed in wastewater was higher than it was during the peak concentration seen in July during our 2022 summer surge.

Over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals is 1,252, very slightly elevated from last week when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 1,245. Based on data collected from 90 hospitals that are polled daily by the LA County Emergency Medical Services Agency, as of Dec. 12, there were 242 available adult beds, including ward and ICU beds. The average number of available beds so far in December is the lowest number reported in the past four years. Contributing factors include high circulating rates of respiratory illnesses and less available staff.

To minimize the transmission and impact of illness during the holidays, residents should think ahead about steps they can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses. Importantly, being up to date on vaccines and the new bivalent booster provides essential protection against severe illness associated with COVID and flu.

Of the nearly 7.5 million county residents eligible for the bivalent booster, just 1.35 million residents have received it. While the number remains low, more people are getting the new booster – up to 18% this week compared to 16% on Nov. 27.

The new specially formulated bivalent booster for children 6 months through age 4 is now available in Los Angeles County. Previously, this booster was authorized only for children ages 5 and older. To maximize protection against COVID-19, dosing and eligibility for this new pediatric booster is dependent on the primary series the child receives.

If you have questions about vaccinating your child, you can call the Department of Public Health Vaccine Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 open daily 8 am to 8:30 pm. Many vaccine sites received the new bivalent vaccines for young children this week. At the Public Health community sites, clinics, and mobile vaccine teams, staff are trained and have begun administering these new vaccines.

To find a vaccine site, visit ph.lacounty.gov/howtogetvaccinated or residents can reach out to their provider. As a note, many general pharmacies do not vaccinate children under three years old so please check the Public Health website or contact your provider to find a site able to vaccinate young children.

In addition to getting the bivalent booster and seasonal flu vaccine, it is important this holiday season to continue to have plenty of well-fitting, high-filtration masks on hand, preferably N95s, KN95s, or KF94s. When choosing activities or planning an event, it also makes sense to look for outdoor options. If it doesn’t work to be outside, open windows and doors to increase ventilation inside.

It’s also crucial to use COVID tests before gatherings. For more information on types of tests, where to get them, and how to interpret them go to ph.lacounty.gov/COVIDtests. Also, the federal government reopened its free COVID test program; each household can get four free tests shipped to their home. Tests can be ordered at COVIDtests.gov and shipping will begin the week of Dec. 19.

Finally, it’s important for family and friends to stay home when sick to prevent others from getting ill. If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, the therapeutics Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are both prescription antivirals that can be taken at home. Both should be started within 5 days of symptom onset. Contact your provider if you have a fever, coughing and sneezing, unusual fatigue, muscle aches, or other symptoms. If you do not have a provider, you can call the Public Health call center at 1-833-540-0473 to get answers to your questions and access free telehealth services.

“I extend my condolences to the all of the families that have been impacted by loss due to COVID,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Navigating the pandemic has been made much easier with the new tools at hand and the data we can look at to better understand risk. High numbers no longer mean shutting down events or gathering over Zoom. We have the strategies, information, and resources to celebrate in-person with friends and family in a safe way. I hope that over the next few weeks, everyone can use this information to keep each other protected. Simple efforts can lead to big returns, and this works best when people come together and act collectively. We all have a role to play to reduce COVID-19 transmission and I appreciate the inspiring efforts I have witnessed in the community. Your actions have personal impact, and also impact the people around you.”

Today, Public Health reported 20 additional deaths and 3,257 new positive cases. Of the 20 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 18-29, 10 people were between the ages of 65-79, and nine people were aged 80 years or older. Of the 20 newly reported deaths, 18 had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 34,410.

Public Health has reported a total of 3,598,453 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County. Today’s positivity rate is 10.9%. There are 1,261 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for more than 12,784,124 individuals, with 25% of people testing positive.

A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov including:

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:

Cases through 12:00pm 12/15/2022

Total Cases

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

3,598,453

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

3,403,491

-- Long Beach

156,858

-- Pasadena

38,104

Deaths

34,410

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

32,631

-- Long Beach

1,342

-- Pasadena

437

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

- 0 to 4

107,187

- 5 to 11

278,647

- 12 to 17

273,239

- 18 to 29

737,197

- 30 to 49

1,094,047

- 50 to 64

584,589

- 65 to 79

243,793

- over 80

82,382

- Under Investigation

2,410

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

- Female

1,751,411

- Male

1,562,871

- Other

1,690

- Under Investigation

87,519

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

- American Indian/Alaska Native

6,485

- Asian

249,283

- Black

176,664

- Hispanic/Latino

1,464,214

- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

17,193

- White

467,508

- Other

388,375

- Under Investigation

633,769

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

- Hospitalized (Ever)

163,763

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

- American Indian/Alaska Native

78

- Asian

4,171

- Black

3,052

- Hispanic/Latino

16,296

- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

113

- White

8,468

- Other

372

- Under Investigation

81

CITY / COMMUNITY**

Cases

Case Rate

City of Agoura Hills

6188

29632

City of Alhambra

23983

27654

City of Arcadia

12577

21777

City of Artesia

5688

33867

City of Avalon

66

1706

City of Azusa

16988

33949

City of Baldwin Park

28566

37210

City of Bell

16371

45059

City of Bell Gardens

16529

38376

City of Bellflower

29288

37677

City of Beverly Hills

11020

31924

City of Bradbury

67

6268

City of Burbank

31118

29033

City of Calabasas

5560

22859

City of Carson

33330

35516

City of Cerritos

12531

25028

City of Claremont

9431

25850

City of Commerce*

5500

42084

City of Compton

39224

39262

City of Covina

18477

37684

City of Cudahy

11826

48573

City of Culver City

11011

27621

City of Diamond Bar

12818

22286

City of Downey

44756

39169

City of Duarte

7025

31909

City of El Monte

41031

34989

City of El Segundo

3891

23180

City of Gardena

21051

34335

City of Glendale

57535

27863

City of Glendora

15252

28906

City of Hawaiian Gardens

4962

33810

City of Hawthorne

28373

31956

City of Hermosa Beach

4533

23045

City of Hidden Hills

379

20053

City of Huntington Park

25865

43482

City of Industry

539

123341

City of Inglewood

36741

32348

City of Irwindale

641

43934

City of La Canada Flintridge

4322

20886

City of La Habra Heights

179

3281

City of La Mirada

13465

27148

City of La Puente

15697

38570

City of La Verne

8914

26783

City of Lakewood

25516

31751

City of Lancaster*

61742

38214

City of Lawndale

10229

30431

City of Lomita

5700

27498

City of Lynwood*

29674

41187

City of Malibu

2790

21526

City of Manhattan Beach

7021

19503

City of Maywood

12458

44415

City of Monrovia

11164

28773

City of Montebello

24311

37765

City of Monterey Park

16530

26549

City of Norwalk

40947

38047

City of Palmdale

64136

40345

City of Palos Verdes Estates

2095

15493

City of Paramount

22475

40117

City of Pico Rivera

26609

41393

City of Pomona

62895

40335

City of Rancho Palos Verdes

7182

16801

City of Redondo Beach

14726

21436

City of Rolling Hills

269

13866

City of Rolling Hills Estates

1435

17688

City of Rosemead

14697

26553

City of San Dimas*

10603

30719

City of San Fernando

12347

50167

City of San Gabriel

10790

26347

City of San Marino

2282

17188

City of Santa Clarita

70239

31865

City of Santa Fe Springs

7701

41935

City of Santa Monica

25279

27345

City of Sierra Madre

2232

20311

City of Signal Hill

3904

33093

City of South El Monte

7941

38023

City of South Gate

45717

46576

City of South Pasadena

6057

23249

City of Temple City

9504

26070

City of Torrance

32470

21753

City of Vernon

352

168421

City of Walnut

7166

23470

City of West Covina

38043

35149

City of West Hollywood

10747

29084

City of Westlake Village

371

4438

City of Whittier

29872

34166

Los Angeles

1469761

36339

Los Angeles - Adams-Normandie

3083

37588

Los Angeles - Alsace

4338

34857

Los Angeles - Angeles National Forest

6

15000

Los Angeles - Angelino Heights

796

31815

Los Angeles - Arleta

16355

47585

Los Angeles - Atwater Village

4754

32415

Los Angeles - Baldwin Hills

9736

31280

Los Angeles - Bel Air

2314

27453

Los Angeles - Beverly Crest

3201

25557

Los Angeles - Beverlywood

3970

30137

Los Angeles - Boyle Heights*

39109

45013

Los Angeles - Brentwood

8124

26245

Los Angeles - Brookside

142

24441

Los Angeles - Cadillac-Corning

2281

32032

Los Angeles - Canoga Park

24581

37650

Los Angeles - Carthay

4124

28713

Los Angeles - Central

16645

42688

Los Angeles - Century City

3546

27720

Los Angeles - Century Palms/Cove

15627

46280

Los Angeles - Chatsworth

12310

33216

Los Angeles - Cheviot Hills

2424

26431

Los Angeles - Chinatown

2688

33512

Los Angeles - Cloverdale/Cochran

5012

34440

Los Angeles - Country Club Park

4684

30911

Los Angeles - Crenshaw District

5067

36640

Los Angeles - Crestview

3738

32882

Los Angeles - Del Rey

8146

27211

Los Angeles - Downtown*

15429

56091

Los Angeles - Eagle Rock

13082

33045

Los Angeles - East Hollywood

9179

31342

Los Angeles - Echo Park

4357

30563

Los Angeles - El Sereno

16449

39344

Los Angeles - Elysian Park

1756

30742

Los Angeles - Elysian Valley

3494

34353

Los Angeles - Encino

14564

32241

Los Angeles - Exposition

1236

37162

Los Angeles - Exposition Park

17386

38707

Los Angeles - Faircrest Heights

1211

33639

Los Angeles - Figueroa Park Square

3625

41566

Los Angeles - Florence-Firestone

22247

46890

Los Angeles - Glassell Park

10568

33439

Los Angeles - Gramercy Place

3966

36845

Los Angeles - Granada Hills

20728

35621

Los Angeles - Green Meadows

9804

45589

Los Angeles - Hancock Park

4528

26574

Los Angeles - Harbor City

9018

31022

Los Angeles - Harbor Gateway

15153

34755

Los Angeles - Harbor Pines

606

25156

Los Angeles - Harvard Heights

6017

33363

Los Angeles - Harvard Park

17426

45936

Los Angeles - Highland Park

16630

34366

Los Angeles - Historic Filipinotown

5180

37347

Los Angeles - Hollywood

20790

30460

Los Angeles - Hollywood Hills

7335

24920

Los Angeles - Hyde Park

11360

39802

Los Angeles - Jefferson Park

3060

37904

Los Angeles - Koreatown

15777

30521

Los Angeles - Lafayette Square

1577

34591

Los Angeles - Lake Balboa

15658

37099

Los Angeles - Lakeview Terrace

5649

43014

Los Angeles - Leimert Park

5471

35911

Los Angeles - Lincoln Heights

12374

37961

Los Angeles - Little Armenia

2962

36910

Los Angeles - Little Bangladesh

8504

30004

Los Angeles - Little Tokyo

1438

45898

Los Angeles - Longwood

1733

40265

Los Angeles - Los Feliz

5544

25657

Los Angeles - Manchester Square

3095

36258

Los Angeles - Mandeville Canyon

761

24360

Los Angeles - Mar Vista

10385

24452

Los Angeles - Marina Peninsula

946

21697

Los Angeles - Melrose

25389

32677

Los Angeles - Mid-city

4492

29887

Los Angeles - Miracle Mile

4755

26439

Los Angeles - Mission Hills

11472

47554

Los Angeles - Mt. Washington

8073

33435

Los Angeles - No





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