As of Monday, April 12, the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health confirmed three deaths and 411 new cases of COVID-19. There were 470 people with COVID-19 hospitalized with 18% testing positive.
Public Health identified 1,226,191 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 23,479 deaths. Cases across the Southland: Los Angeles County shows 1,162,543 cases, Long Beach with 52,479 cases and Pasadena with 11,169.
According to race and ethnicity, COVID-19 statistics show: American Indian/Alaska Native with 1,970; Asian with 54,488; Black with 43,885; Hispanic/Latino with 597,618; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander with 4,168; White with 124,508; those of other race and ethnicity with 103,354 and 232,552 under investigation.
Los Angeles County moves closer to a post-pandemic reality with vaccines being available to residents ages 16 and older. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updates safety measures for businesses, gatherings and more. Public health also released information that men of color are more likely to die from contracting COVID-19.
“I send my prayers to those who are experiencing grief,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “We are sending our love during this tragedy.
“Thankfully, California and Los Angeles County have yet to see the increases so many other states and communities across the country are seeing. I am so grateful for our residents and businesses that are doing everything they can to stop the spread of this deadly virus that has claimed the lives of so many of our friends and family. Like so many of you, I feel hope for the first time in a long time, which makes it even more critical that we all follow the safety measures.”
Public Health made changes to the health officer order that went into effect on April 15. These changes include:
*Indoor live events and performances are able to open for in-state visitors only, who must pre-purchase tickets
*Eating or drinking is not permitted anywhere except pre-designated eating areas
*Masks must be worn at all times except when in designated eating areas
*There must be six-feet of distance between different households unless people are fully vaccinated
*As with outdoor live events, employers must offer a weekly worker testing program
For venues that hold up to 1,500 people, there is a maximum capacity limit of 15% or 200 people, whichever is fewer. The capacity limit can increase to 35% if all guests are tested or vaccinated. For venues holding more than 1,500 people, there is a capacity limit of 10% or 2,000 people, whichever is fewer, although the capacity limit can increase to 25% if all guests are tested or vaccinated.
Private meetings such as conferences, receptions and meetings will be permitted starting on Thursday, April 15 with the following safety measures:
*There must be a defined guest list or tickets must be purchased
*Masks must be worn at all times unless attendees are eating or drinking
*There must be 6-feet of distance between tables and chairs for guests not vaccinated
*There must be assigned seating or a seating chart with a max of 6 people per table for guests not vaccinated
*And there can be no intermingling of multiple private events
For outdoor private events, there is a maximum of 100 people is allowed, but the number can increase to 300 people if all guests are tested or vaccinated. Tables are also limited to six people from a maximum of three households unless everyone at the table is vaccinated. Indoor private events are only allowed if all guests are tested or vaccinated with a limit of 150 guests.
Indoor private gatherings are permitted, but strongly discouraged. If you choose to hold an indoor private gathering, the following are required safety modifications:
*A max of 25 people or a 25% capacity limit where capacity limits exist
*Masks must be worn at all times, unless everyone is fully vaccinated
*There can be no eating or drinking unless everyone attending is fully vaccinated or everyone attending is fully vaccinated except for members of one household that does not have any high-risk individuals
Public Health shared that men of color in Los Angeles have higher rates of mortality with Black/African and Latino/Latinx men at most risk. The mortality rate for Black male residents is 267 deaths per 100,000 people and for Latino males, the mortality rate is 490 deaths per 100,000 people. In comparisons to Asian males, this is nearly two and a half times the mortality rate more than three times the mortality rate for White males.
It is also being reported that Black/African and Latino/Latinx men have lower rates of vaccination. Out of Black men in Los Angeles, only 19% received at least one dose with 17% of Latino men receiving one dose. Overall, men in general have low vaccination rates in Los Angeles with 30% being vaccinated compare to women with 44% having been vaccinated.
“We cannot let up,” said Ferrer. “Please continue wearing your masks and physically distancing from others when in public. And please review the information about the safety and effectiveness of the three vaccines currently available to protect from COVID 19 so that when it is your turn to get vaccinated you feel comfortable taking this important step.”
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
