Latest statistics from Public Health
New Covid-19 cases among Black are at a three-month high The Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported 79 new COVID-19 cases among Blacks over the past two weeks. This represents 20 new positive infections since the beginning of the month.
In Los Angeles County, the total diagnosed Black cases since the beginning of the pandemic amounts to 197,584 with 3,332 deaths. Public Health reminds residents to take simple precautions in order to avoid becoming ill with COVID-19. Recent data shows small increases in the number of reported COVID-19 cases, virus concentrations in wastewater and the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests for the past four weeks.
As summer kicks off, traveling and gatherings are on the rise and it is now more important than ever to stay protected from COVID-19 infection. New variants such as the “FLiRT” variant, KP.2 and KP.3 which are descendents from the Omicron variant. Although such variants have mutations that make them more easily transmissible, there is no proof of them causing more severe illness.
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect against the severe effects of COVID-19. Los Angeles County residents 65 and older still have access to an additional dose of the updated (2023-2024 formula) COVID-19 vaccine that provides added protection to residents who are at increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19.
Residents 65 and older can get the updated vaccine four months after their previous dose of the updated vaccine. It is important for citizens to remember to wash their hands often and or use hand sanitizer, this is especially important after meals, sneezing and or coughing or in public places.
Public Health advises you to stay home if you have any symptoms of illness, such as a coughing, sneezing, fever, or sore throat and to be cautious about hosting gatherings if signs of infection are present.
For information about where to get vaccinated, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/vaccines.