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COVID-19 Update from LA County Public Health 1.21.2022
SPA 3 Regional Health Office
COVID-19 Weekly Update
January 21, 2022
COVID-19 Cases Increase by Nearly 10 Times in One Month
Over 400,000 cases have been reported in LA County since January 1. This week, LA County marked the grim milestone of losing more than 28,000 residents to COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Public Health urges residents to take steps to stay safe during the surge by:
- Getting vaccinated and boosted if they have not done so yet, as unvaccinated people are 2 – 4 times more likely to get infected than those fully vaccinated
- Upgrading their masks to an N95, KN95, KF94, or a surgical mask, all of which do a better job at blocking virus particles than cloth masks
- Limiting non-essential activities where people are unmasked and crowded together, especially if indoors, until transmission is lower
Residents can visit covid19.lacounty.gov to find a convenient testing location near you.
How to Get Free COVID-19 Tests
Here are five ways to help people get free COVID-19 Test Kits:
- Pick up a testing kit at 13 testing sites across LA County. “Pick-Up Test Kits” will be available without an appointment and until daily supplies are exhausted. The “Pick-Up Testing Kits” will test for both COVID-19 and Influenza (A and B), the same as all LA County operated testing locations.
- Order a Free Package to Your Home. Visit the USPS website to order a free COVID-19 test package with 4 free tests to your home or to help others order their free tests.
- Use Your Medicaid, CHIP or Private Health Insurance Coverage. Read a statement on the Biden-Harris Administration’s requirement for insurance companies and group plans to cover testing, frequently asked questions, and requirements.
- Visit a Community-Based Free Testing Site in Your Community. Find your nearest community-based testing site for COVID-19.
- Enroll Your Facility into Operation Expanded Testing Today. OpET provides no-cost testing to childcare centers, K-12 schools, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), under-resourced communities, and congregate settings, such as homeless shelters, domestic violence and abuse shelters, non-federal correctional facilities, and other qualified sites.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising
The proportion of ventilated patients with COVID-19 has nearly tripled since the beginning of December.
With hospitalizations rising and many emergency departments requesting ambulance diversions at some point during the day, Public Health urges all residents to help preserve the existing capacity of LA County hospitals by not going to the emergency departments for COVID-19 testing or mild illness.
For those who are experiencing mild illness, please contact your primary care provider or schedule a visit at a clinic. This will ensure that those needing emergency care can get services at the closest emergency department or get a quick response when they call 911.
Vaccination and booster doses are still very powerful ways to reduce your risk of infection or transmission, as well as hospitalization and death. To find locations to get a COVID-19 vaccine, click here or call the DPH Vaccine Call Center 833-540-0473 open daily 8am to 8:30pm. Vaccines are free. Immigration status and insurance are not required.
Update Your Mask For Better Protection
Click here for more information on mask wearing.
This week, the new Health Officer Order went into effect. It requires employers to provide and require employees to wear a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask, or higher-level NIOSH-approved respirator, such as an N95, at all times while indoors at the worksite or facility.
You can book your free supply for your workplace at www.ppeunite.org/sign-up.
With schools back in session, in order to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, upgraded masks are also required for school staff and strongly recommended for students.
COVID-19 Resources
LA Public Health Podcast: Variants, Vaccines, and Surges with Dr. Muntu Davis
In this new podcase episode, Dr. Muntu Davis explains variants and how COVID-19 vaccines and testing can help keep us protected from surges.
Here are some helpful links mentioned during this episode:
- COVID-19 information for the public on what COVID-19 is, symptoms of COVID-19, and how COVID-19 spreads
- Up-to-date info for health care providers on isolation and quarantine guidelines
- A handout on COVID-19 variants, including information on the Omicron variant.
To listen to the podcast, click here.
COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall: Save the Date
Join us on Wednesday, January 26 at 6 PM to learn more about the Omicron variant, COVID-19 boosters, and keeping schools safe.
Watch on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube @lapublichealth
To submit questions, click here.
Register Now To Be A Parent Ambassador
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is looking for parents who want to make a difference in their community through the Parent Ambassador Program. The program offers parents an opportunity to learn more about COVID-19 variants, how the vaccines work, and ways to encourage others to stay safe to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Receive a gift stipend and certificate
- Attend a 90-minute presentation
- Get your questions answered by a local physician
- Learn how to keep your families safe from COVID-19
Upcoming presentations:
- Tuesday, 1/25/22 4:30pm – 6:00pm (Spanish)
- Tuesday, 2/1/22 4:30pm – 6:00pm (Armenian)
To learn more and to register for the program, click here.
A Conversation with Dr. Barbara Ferrer and Dr. Muntu Davis for Community-Based Organizations
Join us on Friday, January 28 at 5PM for a conversation with Dr. Ferrer and Dr. Davis. They will discuss the state of the pandemic, how community partners serve as the backbone of the County response, and ways to continue to build towards a more equitable recovery.
To submit questions, click here.
Click here to watch the live stream.
Together for Wellness: UCLA Research Study
UCLA is conducting a research study about a new website with free online well-being resources to ease stress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants are being asked to review the website for 30 minutes and then fill out a survey in English or Spanish. Those who take part in the study will receive a $25 online gift card for their time.
For those interested in joining the study, please click here.
Need a COVID-19 Vaccination Presentation?
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers an array of presentations, including the Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccines.
If you would like to schedule a presentation for your organization, click here.
Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Also Offering Testing
Morgan Park in Baldwin Park is offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. To find out which vaccine you are eligible for, click here.
Visit vaccinatelacounty.com for more information about how to prepare for your appointment and what to do after you have been vaccinated. Many other sites throughout the San Gabriel Valley are offering the vaccine and taking walk-ins.
COVID-19 Testing Sites Near You
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