Los Angeles County moved into the Orange tier last week which means lesser restrictions and another step towards normalcy in addition to: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updating protocols pertaining to businesses and public facilities, COVID-19 vaccines becoming available to people 50 years of age and older and California Governor Gavin Newsom giving the thumbs up to fully reopen the economy in June.
“I want to commend everyone for the tremendous progress we have seen over the last two months,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are down to numbers we have not seen since the early days of the pandemic, and we are now officially in the orange tier, meaning more businesses and activities are open. With more variants, increases in cases across the country and much of the world, and lots more intermingling here in L.A. County, we will need to continue following public health safety measures if we want to hold on to our gains.”
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expanded to all residents 50 through 64-years-old and other eligible groups. Public Health, in partnership with Los Angeles County School District, is supporting the Public Health Ambassador Program for students and parents, which actively engages members of school communities in preventing and reducing the spread of COVID-19. On April 15, vaccines will become available to any resident in Los Angeles County who is 16 and older.
As of Monday, April 5, the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health confirmed one new death and 366 new cases of COVID-19. There were 591 people with COVID-19 hospitalized with 26% of these people in the ICU.
Public Health identified 1,222,447 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 23,276 deaths. Cases across the Southland: Los Angeles County shows 1,159,003 cases, Long Beach with 52,293 cases and Pasadena with 11,151.
According to race and ethnicity, COVID-19 statistics show: American Indian/Alaska Native with 1,961; Asian with 53,886; Black with 43,380; Hispanic/Latino with 590,742; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander with 4,176; White with 123,066; those of other race and ethnicity with 103,588 and 238,204 under investigation.
“So, it makes sense to be clear about what it will take to continue the recovery journey and to remain committed to following the essential safety measures: wear a mask,” said Ferrer. “Stay 6-feet apart from others while in public. Wash your hands. And please, get vaccinated when you’re eligible.”
Governor Gavin Newsom recently stated that California can fully open its economy as of June 15 if certain criteria are met:
*If vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to be inoculated; and
*If hospitalization rates are stable and low
“With more than 20 million vaccines administered across the state, it is time to turn the page on our tier system and begin looking to fully reopen California’s economy,” said Governor Newsom. “We can now begin planning for our lives post-pandemic. We will need to remain vigilant, and continue the practices that got us here – wearing masks and getting vaccinated – but the light at the end of this tunnel has never been brighter.”
If businesses observe the health guidelines, vaccinations continue and mask wearing is observed, everyday activities can resume. The state will remain vigilant on contact tracing and testing to contain the spreading of COVID-19.
Non-compliance and dangerous conditions at businesses and worksites can be reported to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. These tips can be submitted anonymously.
For more information and statistics on COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, please visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/
For more detailed information on COVID-19 vaccination plans in L.A. County and to sign up for a vaccination newsletter, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com
