COVID Alert

At-home testing nasal swab kit (Photo – lacounty.gov)

With COVID-19 transmissions and hospitalizations on the rise in Los Angeles County, residents at higher risk should consider employing simple strategies to reduce their exposures and prevent severe illness.

By News Desk

Individuals who are older, those with weakened immune systems, and those with chronic health conditions continue to experience higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19.

To reduce risks, especially as transmission of the virus is increasing, the Los Angeles County Health Department asks those more vulnerable to

• to take precautions to reduce potential exposures,
• identify COVID infections early,
• consult with a health care provider when infected, and
• wear a well-fitting, high filtration mask when traveling via public transit, when in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor spaces, and when at health care facilities.

Those that provide services to individuals at higher risk of severe illness from COVID are also asked to take sensible steps to prevent transmission of COVID-19; this includes:  staying home and away from others if sick, testing before gathering indoors, and wearing a mask if providing patient care.

Older adults continue to be hospitalized at significantly higher rates than any other age group

In Los Angeles County, Public Health data shows that people 80 years old and older were more than five times as likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people ages 50-79, during the 30-day period ending Aug. 5.

Some of the people at highest risk of complications from COVID-19 live in skilled nursing facilities, where there has been an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in recent weeks. Public Health opened 59 new outbreak investigations at skilled nursing facilities in Los Angeles County during the 30-day period ending Aug. 16, a significant increase from the 34 outbreak investigations opened during the previous 30 days.  Los Angeles County remains in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Low Hospital Admission Level, with 4.1 weekly COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people,

As fall approaches, all residents are encouraged to ask their health care provider what vaccines they should get to protect against COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should talk to their health care provider about treatment options, such as Paxlovid, as soon as possible. Treatment must begin within five days of the onset of symptoms. To access free telehealth services for treatment, contact the Public Health Call Center, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 1-833-540-0473.