My staff and I continue to monitor the situation in Afghanistan closely. I’m horrified by the news that multiple U.S. military personnel and Afghan civilians were killed during yesterday’s terrorist attacks. I’m praying for their loved ones and for the servicemembers supporting the heroic withdrawal efforts. The U.S. must continue do everything in its power to evacuate those who helped us, as well as those whose lives are now threatened under Taliban control. We will hunt for those responsible for the attacks and impose justice. If you are in contact with people on the ground in Afghanistan seeking to depart, please share with them the State Department’s guidance or contact my office at (323) 651-1040.
In addition to monitoring the situation in Afghanistan, the House is hard at work on advancing legislative priorities that put American families first. The House passed a budget resolution on Tuesday, which brings us one step closer to enacting President Biden’s transformative Build Back Better Plan to lower costs for Americans, cut taxes for working families, and create millions of jobs while tackling climate change.
I was also honored to vote in favor of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which I cosponsored. This critical bill restores the full strength of the Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court gutted the VRA through its 2013 Shelby County v. Holder and 2021 Brnovich v. DNC decisions. Protecting the right to vote is foundational to our country’s values and should be a priority for every elected official. Another priority of mine is protecting our oceans and marine life, which are in grave danger due to the existential threat of climate change. Last Friday, I joined Representative Jared Huffman at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito to launch the Congressional California Coastal Caucus, which will bring together members of the California House delegation to share and discuss federal policy to address matters of importance to the 840-mile California coast. I am honored to join Representative Julia Brownley as co-chair of the caucus and look forward to working together to address pressing coastal issues and support our oceans. Get Vaccinated! Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of the coronavirus in individuals age 16 and older. The Pfizer vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals. If you’re unvaccinated, please talk to your doctor about getting the FDA approved Pfizer vaccine or the FDA authorized Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines. Getting vaccinated could save your life and protect those around you from this deadly virus.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. If you have questions about the vaccine, please consult your doctor. Everyone age 12 and older who lives or works in LA County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Please check VaccinateLACounty.com for updated information on walk-in vaccinations or to book an appointment ahead of time. To find a vaccination site near you, please visit corona-virus.la/VaxSites. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a signed consent form to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
If you have a disability or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. You can also call this number or fill out an online request form if you or a family member need to be vaccinated at home. Additional Resources and Reminders 1. Federal public health officials announced a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall. The Administration is not recommending you go out and get a booster now. Instead, starting the week of September 20th, fully vaccinated adults could begin getting booster shots 8 months after their second shot of an mRNA vaccine. This decision was made entirely based on science in an effort to stay one step ahead of the virus.
2. If you’ve been impacted by the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Spill, you may be eligible for reimbursements for air condition unit(s), hotel room stays, and/or meals. LA Sanitation’s reimbursement program has been extended for eligible residents through September 2nd, 2021. For more information on how to apply, please click here. If you need rental assistance, please view this Rental Assistance Tool from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to find help with rent and utilities. You can also apply for the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, which provides financial assistance for rent and utilities to income-eligible renters and landlords who’ve been impacted by COVID-19. Depending on your address, you may also be eligible for a local rent relief program. To view reopening protocols for K-12 schools in LA County, please click here. Please renew your passport at least six months before it is set to expire. The State Department is processing an unprecedented number of passport applications and renewals. If you plan to travel abroad, please ensure your passport is up to date. To renew, please visit travel.state.gov. If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at 800-854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741. If you are in need of food assistance; housing relief; information about COVID-19; and more, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org. For more information on COVID, the vaccines, and my work in Congress, please visit my website at lieu.house.gov and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. I look forward to updating you again soon. Stay safe. Sincerely, Ted W. Lieu Member of Congress
Washington, DC 403 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3976 Los Angeles Office 1645 Corinth Ave., Suite 101 Los Angeles, CA 90025 Phone: (323) 651-1040 Manhattan Beach Office 1600 Rosecrans Ave., 4th Floor Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: (310) 321-7664
Your update on our historic effort to get all Angelenos vaccinated against COVID-19 and end the pandemic.
This week, the City of L.A. began administering third dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
Anyone who qualifies should check with their healthcare provider to make sure that receiving a third dose is the best option. Moderna or Pfizer third doses will be administered at least 28 days after receiving the second dose. An additional dose is currently not recommended for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
On Monday, LAUSD schools reopened their doors to students for in-person instruction. To keep children and school staff safe, the District has COVID-19 protocols in place, such as requiring masks, practicing social distancing, encouraging frequent handwashing, providing COVID-19 testing and vaccines at school-based community vaccination centers, and much more.
Right now, it’s especially important that we do everything possible to reduce the transmission of this virus. The Delta variant has caused a rise in COVID cases and hospitalizations and is still here, but we have tools to protect ourselves and others: masks and vaccines.
As one of the largest employers in the City of Los Angeles, we will continue doing our part to slow the spread of this virus. Our City Council voted to require all City employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine — unless a medical condition or religious beliefs prohibits vaccination. Exempt, non-vaccinated employees will be required to get tested regularly for COVID-19. As the Council President and I said last month, this move will help protect the health and safety of those who keep L.A. running, as well as the Angelenos we serve.
The vaccine remains free and available to anyone age 12 and older without proof of insurance or immigration status.
If you’re fully vaccinated, consider encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors. If you have children who are 12 and older, you can take them to more than 800 vaccination sites across L.A. County to receive the vaccine and give them the extra protection they need to have a healthy, fun, and safe school year.
Here are the facts you need to know:
VACCINATION SITES: With more than 800 vaccination sites across L.A. County, it’s never been easier to get the vaccine. You can visit drive-thru, walk-up, and pop-up sites near you — or get vaccinated during your commute at L.A. Metro transit stations. L.A. County’s Call Center can also help you find vaccination sites in your area and help you register ahead of your visit. You can call (833) 540-0473 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. daily. Remember to bring proof of age to the site and if you are between 12 and 17 years old, bring this form.
FREE COVID-19 TESTING: Many vaccination sites are also offering free COVID-19 testing. Testing is recommended if you have COVID-19 symptoms — even if you are fully vaccinated — and if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. You can find a list of testing sites at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing.
IN-HOME VACCINATIONS & FREE RIDES: If you are homebound, you can request an in-home vaccination. You can also request a free ride through Uber or Lyft. For more information about in-home vaccinations and free rides, contact L.A. County’s Call Center at (833) 540-0473 or fill out an online form.
BY THE NUMBERS: The City of Los Angeles has administered 1,388,600 vaccine doses at our City-run vaccination sites and mobile clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and fire stations.
PET ADOPTION FEE WAIVER: Saturday, August 21 is National Pet Adoption Day and L.A. Animal Services is offering discounted adoption fees at all of its pet shelters between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. for people who show proof of vaccination. If you’re unvaccinated and looking to adopt, L.A. Animal Services is offering the vaccine for free at their East Valley, North Central, and South Los Angeles pet shelters. For more information, visit LAAnimalServices.com.
STAY INFORMED: As we continue expanding our vaccination efforts, it’s important to get the latest news.
You can sign up for Notify LA to receive text alerts from the City about vaccine rollout, locations, and more.
Sign up for email updates from the L.A. County Department of Public Health.
P.S. As we move towards recovery, the City continues to provide testing, vaccines, economic relief, and other measures. For more information, visit our website.
Important Message from Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly
Posted by LA Unified on 7/29/2021
Dear Los Angeles Unified Family,
As part of our efforts to maintain the safest possible environment for students and employees, we are closely monitoring evolving health conditions and adapting our response in preparation for our full return to in-person learning on August 16.
Los Angeles Unified continues to collaborate with our health partners at the county and state levels, as well as our panel of medical experts and university partners and we review updates to county, state, and federal guidance on a daily basis.
We believe Los Angeles Unified has the highest COVID safety standards of any public school district in the nation. Our preparations for the start of the new school year include continuing to require masking for all students, staff, and visitors; maximizing physical distancing as much as possible; continuing comprehensive sanitizing efforts, including frequent hand washing; upgraded air filtration systems; regular, ongoing COVID testing and community engagement; and collaborating with health partners and agencies to support free COVID vaccination.
All students and employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, returning for in-person instruction must participate in baseline and ongoing weekly COVID testing. This is in accordance with the most recent guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Baseline testing begins on Monday, August 2. More information can be found at https://achieve.lausd.net/covidtestingappt .
Ultimately, the greatest protection against COVID and the Delta variant is vaccination. We encourage everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated. For the latest information on school-based vaccination sites, please visit https://achieve.lausd.net/covidvaccineappt .
Together as a united Los Angeles Unified community, we need to all work together to ensure the safety of our schools. See you at school on August 16!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
State Public Health Officer of the State of California, order:
I. This Order applies to the following facilities:
A. General Acute Care Hospitals,
B. Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), and
C. Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs).
II. The Order applies only to indoor visitation in facilities identified in this Order. Indoor visitation shall be permitted only in accordance with this Order.
A. The facilities identified in this Order must either: (1) verify visitors are fully vaccinated, or (2) for unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated visitors, verify documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test.
1. COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or WHO Yellow Card) which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered); OR
2. a photo of a Vaccination Record Card as a separate document; OR
3. a photo of the client’s Vaccination Record Card stored on a phone or electronic device, OR
4. documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a health care provider; OR
5. digital record that includes a QR code that when scanned by a SMART Health Card reader displays to the reader client name, date of birth, vaccine dates and vaccine type.
In the absence of knowledge to the contrary, a facility may accept the documentation presented as valid.
C. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for indoor visits only if they can show documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test where the specimen collection occurred within 72 hours before each visit and for which the test results are available at the time of entry to the facility. Visitors may use either PCR testing or antigen testing. Any PCR or antigen test used must either have Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or be operating per the Laboratory Developed Test requirements by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
D. Facilities must have a plan in place for tracking verified visitor vaccination status or documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test. Records of vaccination verification or documentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test must be made available, upon request, to the local health jurisdiction for purposes of case investigation.
E. Facilities can offer to conduct onsite testing of visitors if practical per facility testing capacity but are not required to do so.
F. Visitors who are visiting a patient in critical condition, when death may be imminent, are exempt from the vaccination and testing requirements of this Order. For such persons the requirements of Section III, below, will still apply.
G. These conditions do not apply to visitors seeking only outdoor visits that will not require entering the facility.
III. Mask, personal protective equipment, and physical distancing requirements:
A. All visitors, regardless of vaccination status or test result, must:
a. wear a well-fitting face mask (a surgical mask or double masking is recommended) upon entry and at all times within the facility;
b. wear any other personal protective equipment (PPE) while in the patient’s room that facility personnel deem appropriate to the situation; and
c. physically distance from health care personnel and other patients/residents/visitors that are not part of their group at all times while in the facility.
IV. Definitions: For purposes of this Order, the following definitions apply:
A. “Fully Vaccinated” means individuals who are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19: two weeks or more after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna or vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization), or two weeks or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen). COVID-19 vaccines that are currently authorized for emergency use:
B. “Incompletely vaccinated” means persons who have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine but do not meet the definition of fully vaccinated.
C. “Unvaccinated” means persons who have not received any doses of COVID-19 vaccine or whose status is unknown.
D. “WHO Yellow Card” refers to the original World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis issued to the individual following administration of the COVID-19 vaccine in a foreign country
V. The Terms of this Order supersede any conflicting terms in any other CDPH orders, directives, or guidance. This Order is not intended to revoke or withdraw any prior orders.
VI. This Order shall take effect on August 11, 2021, at 12:01 am. Facilities must be in full compliance at that time.
VII. This Order is issued pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 120125, 120140, 120175,120195 and 131080 and other applicable law.
As COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to increase in LA County, data show that fully vaccinated people remain exceptionally well protected from severe COVID-19 illness. Among the more than 5.1 million fully vaccinated individuals in LA County, less than 1% have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those who tested positive, 549 people were hospitalized, meaning only 0.01% of all fully vaccinated people in LA County have ended up in the hospital. If you haven’t done so already, please get vaccinated to protect yourself and others from this virus. The vaccines are extremely effective in preventing severe illness and death due to COVID-19.
Although we’ve made incredible progress in the fight against COVID, the virus hasn’t gone away. Please continue to follow the guidance of public health officials to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. This week, the LA County Department of Public Health held a COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall to answer questions about the Delta Variant and provide updates on COVID-19 in LA County. To watch the full town hall, please click here. As a reminder, all people over the age of two in LA County are required to wear a mask indoors in public spaces to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Last week, I called for an investigation into the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Spill. Since the incident occurred, many of my constituents have had to deal with foul odors emanating from the facility and concerns about the safety of ocean waters and coastal communities. Given the severity of the incident, I urged the EPA and NOAA to investigate this serious issue. Get Vaccinated! Rep. Lieu on why he got vaccinated The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. If you have questions about the vaccine, please consult your doctor.
Everyone age 12 and older who lives or works in LA County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Please check VaccinateLACounty.com for updated information on walk-in vaccinations or to book an appointment ahead of time. To find a vaccination site near you, please visit corona-virus.la/VaxSites. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a signed consent form to receive the Pfizer vaccine.
If you have a disability or do not have access to the internet and need assistance making your vaccination appointment, you can contact the County’s Call Center –– open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. –– at (833) 540-0473. You can also call this number if you or a family member need to be vaccinated at home.
Additional Resources and Reminders Today, the second round of tax cuts to families with children were sent via direct deposit. Please visit whitehouse.gov/child-tax-credit for more information. To protect healthcare workers and the people they care for, Los Angeles County issued an order to align with the California’s mandate requiring vaccinations for healthcare workers by September 30th. Governor Newsom announced that the state of California will require teachers and other school employees to either be vaccinated and/or submit to regular COVID-19 testing in an effort to protect students and educators.Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended its emergency use authorization for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to allow certain immunocompromised individuals to get a third booster dose of the vaccines. Other fully vaccinated individuals do not need an additional vaccine dose right now. Learn more here. In response to the Hyperion Plant spill, city leaders have warned the public not to flush ‘flushable’ wipes, which may have helped lead to the incident.Congress has passed over $46 billion in emergency rental assistance to support families in need and prevent evictions. Please view this Rental Assistance Tool from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to find help with rent and utilities. You can also apply for the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, which provides financial assistance for rent and utilities to income-eligible renters and landlords who’ve been impacted by COVID-19. Depending on your address, you may also be eligible for a local rent relief program. The CDC issued a new eviction moratorium on August 3rd temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of COVID-19 community transmission. Please click here to learn how to take action to avoid eviction using the CDC order. To view reopening protocols for K-12 schools in LA County, please click here.
The CDC is now officially recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. To view the CDC’s vaccine guidance for pregnant people, please click here.Please renew your passport at least six months before it is set to expire. The State Department is processing an unprecedented number of passport applications and renewals. If you plan to travel abroad, please ensure your passport is up to date. To renew, please visit travel.state.gov . The West LA VA is offering walk-in vaccinations for veterans of ALL ages and their spouses or caregivers. Please call 310-268-4900 for information about walk-in times and locations. If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at 800-854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741.If you are in need of food assistance; housing relief; information about COVID-19; and more, please call 2-1-1 or visit 211la.org.For more information on COVID-19 and vaccinations, please visit publichealth.lacounty.gov and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Thank you for your continued commitment to keep our community healthy. Stay safe. Sincerely, Ted W. Lieu Member of Congress
Washington, DC 403 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3976Los Angeles Office 1645 Corinth Ave., Suite 101 Los Angeles, CA 90025 Phone: (323) 651-1040Manhattan Beach Office 1600 Rosecrans Ave., 4th Floor Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Phone: (310) 321-7664
In response to California Department of Public Health mandates regarding visitors to inpatient settings, we have revised our policy to require visitors to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
All visitors must show proof they received the second dose of a two-dose regimen, or a single dose of a one-dose regimen, at least two weeks prior. Acceptable forms of proof are:
A COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) or a WHO Yellow Card. The card must include name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date the last dose was administered; or
A photograph of a Vaccination Record Card. The photo can be on a smartphone or other device, or it can be a physical photograph, or
Documentation of COVID-19 vaccination from a health care provider; or
A digital record that includes a QR code that when scanned by a SMART Health Card reader displays to the reader client name, date of birth, vaccine dates and vaccine type.
Non-COVID-19 inpatient visitation is as follows:
Intensive Care Units: One unique visitor per day between 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Medical and Surgical Units: One unique visitor per day between 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Labor and Delivery & Postpartum: One unique visitor, 24 hours/day. Visitors must be 12 or older.
Maternal-Fetal Care Unit: One unique visitor, 24 hours/day. Visitors must be 12 or older.
Pediatrics: One pair of parents/guardians, 24 hours/day.
NICU: One pair of parents/guardians, 24 hours/day.
End-of-life Patients Who Are Not COVID-19 Positive or Suspected: Up to two unique visitors per day, 24 hours/day.
Visitors are not allowed for patients with moderate or high suspicion of having COVID-19, unless a clinical team has determined the patient is considered end of life. In that case, will be allowed one visitor per day for two hours.
Additional Considerations:
Pediatric Surgery: Two visitors allowed for all inpatient and outpatient pediatric surgery patients under 18, before, during and after surgery. Please note: if a pediatric patient is admitted to the hospital following surgery, visitor guidelines will then default to the above inpatient visitor policy.
Patients may designate the same or a different visitor(s) each day.
Exceptions to the visitor policy and visitor time limits may be made for patients with compassionate care needs or developmental or cognitive impairments. For questions about exceptions, ask for the charge nurse.
Outpatient Areas
Emergency Room: One visitor 24 hours/day
Infusion Areas: Visitor accommodations are based on ability to maintain appropriate physical distancing. Please check with the clinic prior to your appointment.
Same-day Surgery: One unique, healthy companion before, during, and after surgery.
Imaging: One visitor is allowed for patients under the age of 18 or for patients who need physical assistance.
Doctor Appointments and Urgent Care Centers: One visitor is allowed for the following:
Patients under the age of 18
Patients with physical, developmental or cognitive impairments, memory loss or confusion
Patients with a visit involving any new diagnosis or complex medical condition requiring discussion, or a visit involving a procedure when able to be accommodated
Visitors are not allowed for patients with or suspected of having COVID-19 at any of our outpatient locations.
Dear patients and families, Thank you for choosing UCLA Health for your health care needs. Our commitment to keeping our patients, staff and visitors safe is our top priority. We ask that you please read this important update that requires a COVID-19 vaccination verification or proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to visiting a patient in the hospital. Important visitor information: In alignment with the most recent health order from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), COVID-19 vaccination verification is now required for visitors to UCLA Health and other general acute health care facilities in the state, starting on Wednesday, August 11. Starting Wednesday, August 11 at 11 am, UCLA Health will be conducting vaccine verification for visitors who are visiting patients in our hospitals. This includes Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital. As a reminder, masking is still required in all health care settings. If you will be an inpatient at one of our hospitals and plan to have a visitor: For fully vaccinated visitors: To visit a patient at any of the UCLA Health hospitals above, the visitor needs to bring their COVID-19 vaccine verification with them, using one of the state-approved modes listed on our visitor guidelines page . For unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors: If the visitor is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, they will need to have a negative COVID-19 test where the specimen collection occurred within 72 hours before visiting our facility.Per state requirement, the COVID-19 test must either have emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or be operating per the Laboratory Developed Test requirements by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Visitors can schedule a COVID-19 test at UCLA Health if desired. Click on this link and select “testing” for more information. Visitors may choose an alternate provider for testing, such as a retail pharmacy, if this is more convenient. Visitors must bring documentation of the negative result with them prior to entering our facility.We ask that you encourage your visitors to arrive early and allow extra time to complete the verification process.At this time, we are still limiting the number of visitors to one healthy visitor at a time per our visitor guidelines. We appreciate your understanding. Helpful resources:Secure digital vaccine records. If the visitor is a UCLA Health patient, they can access their COVID-19 digital vaccine record within myUCLAhealth under COVID-19 Information or Immunizations. COVID-19 vaccine information. We encourage all eligible persons to get the COVID-19 vaccine. They are safe, effective, and widely available at this time. If you haven’t received your vaccine or need to complete your vaccine series, you can check for vaccine appointment availability on the County of Los Angeles Public Health website, vaccinefinder.org , which is endorsed by the CDC, or the state’s MyTurn.ca.gov website.
Thank you for entrusting your care with us. We appreciate your patience and cooperation with these important health and safety measures.
Sincerely, Johnese Spisso, MPAPresident, UCLA HealthCEO, UCLA Health SystemAssociate Vice Chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences Robert A. Cherry, MD, MSChief Medical and Quality OfficerUCLA Health Richard AzarChief Operating OfficerUCLA Hospital System Karen A. Grimley, PhD, MBA, RNChief Nursing ExecutiveUCLA Health
COVID-19 Update When Los Angeles County reinstated universal masking indoors three weeks ago, the number of COVID-19 cases was doubling every 10 days. Thankfully, we are now seeing a slowing down in the increase of cases. Since LA County was the first county in the state to reinstate masking, it is valuable to compare trends in LA County with those in the rest of the state.When we compare cases that were reported in the week ending August 1st with those that were reported in the week ending August 8th, Los Angeles County went from seeing 19,704 cases to seeing 20,979 cases, an increase of 6.5%. Meanwhile, in the remainder of the state, reported cases went from over 46,000 in the week ending August 1st to 55,422 in the week ending August 8th, an increase of 20.2%. Although there may be reasons beyond masking contributing to this difference, data from around the world and from our county has repeatedly shown that masking is a valuable layer of protection, and we are grateful to everyone who is doing their part by masking up to help slow the spread.Vaccinations remain the most powerful tool to slow the spread, as high rates of vaccination allow us to remain fully open and protect those not yet eligible or able to get vaccinated. We also need to use masking, distancing, and infection control. All of these strategies are necessary right now and provide the best opportunity to blunt the spread of this virus. Reopening Schools in Los Angeles County With the recent increases in cases in both adults and children, many parents are anxious about sending their children back to school. In LA County, we recently revised our K-12 school reopening protocols to layer in a variety of protections in order to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in schools.Face coverings will continue to be required indoors for everyone regardless of vaccination status, including during indoor PE classes, unless a person is alone in a room.Students who are exempt from mask wearing because of a documented disability or other condition should not be excluded from in-person education, and appropriate accommodations should be made on a case by case basis. Students who are excluded from campus because they elect not to wear a face covering should be offered alternative educational opportunities.We continue to recommend physical distancing as long as it does not interfere with full-time attendance for all students, and infection control remains essential.Many schools have established routine testing programs to provide an additional layer of protection.All unvaccinated students and staff should be included in routine testing and where resources are sufficient, fully vaccinated individuals should also be included.Every school will have a plan on how to manage cases and outbreaks and will notify the public health department whenever there are cases. All positive cases are required to isolate, and all close contacts of each case should be tested and are required to quarantine unless they are fully vaccinated and without any symptoms.And while schools have been working closely with us over the summer to create environments that promote safety, communicating with your child’s school ahead of the start of the school year can help ensure they’re prepared to help keep themselves and their friends safe. We recommend you:Talk to your kids about hand hygiene and appropriately wearing their mask. Also, it’s a good idea to send your child to school with extra face coverings so they can easily change masks if theirs gets wet or dirty.Ensure you have a strategy for checking daily for symptoms at home, and as best you can, have an emergency childcare plan in place so that if your child becomes ill, they are able to safely stay home from school.If any of your children are 12 or older, please let them know about the importance of getting vaccinated and help them get to a vaccine site where they can get the Pfizer vaccine.Parents can also get involved through the Parent Ambassador Program, where they can learn about COVID-19 and how to keep schools safe. Homebound VaccinationsIn-Home COVID-19 vaccinations are available! Los Angeles County residents can apply for an in-home vaccination in 2 ways:Call the DPH Vaccine Call Center 833-540-0473 open daily 8am to 8:30pm, orFill out the online request form: English | Español | 简体中文 | 繁體中文 | العربية | հայերեն | អក្សរខ្មែរ | 日本語 | 한국어 | Русский | Tiếng Việt | فارسى | Tagalog. Please note that availability may be delayed due to high demand. Long Beach residents can apply for in-home vaccination here and Pasadena residents can call the Pasadena Citizen Service Center at 626-744-7311, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. at 4 p.m.Watch how nurses are fanning out across the county to make vaccinations available to homebound residents. Public Health Virtual Town Hall Join us for a virtual town hall on Wednesday, August 11th for the latest updates on COVID-19. You can also submit a question at: TinyURL.com/LACountyTownHall. Vaccination Sites Expand operating Hours Public Health has expanded the hours of a number of our vaccination sites in order to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible. These newly expanded hours give residents the ability the get their vaccination on the weekends. Market Street Center (new location) 22900 Market St. Santa Clarita Mon-Sun 12:00pm – 7:00pm Balboa Sports Complex 17015 Burbank Blvd. Tues-Sun 8:30am – 3:00pm Palmdale Oasis Park Recreation Center 3850-A East Avenue S Mon-Sun 12:00pm – 7:00pm Obregon Park 4021 E 1st Street Tues-Sun 8:30am – 3:00pm Commerce Senior Citizens Center 2555 Commerce Way Tues-Sun 11:00am – 6:00pm Ted Watkins Memorial Park 1335 E 103rd St Tues-Sun 11:00am – 6:00pm Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex 12000 Clarkdale Avenue Tues-Sun 11:00am – 6:00pm Additional Resources The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has developed a wide array of documents, guidance documents, and resources for the workers, businesses, partners, and the general public on a variety of topics related to COVID-19, including: COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Community Resources Information for the Public MasksTravelReducing RiskPublic SettingsSick?Workers’ Rights Pamphlet Best Practices for Businesses Food and BeverageIndoor FitnessLarge EventsOfficesPersonal CareRequest a Mobile Vaccination Clinic It is recommended you follow @lapublichealth on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for when appointments will be made available. Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:Los Angeles County Department of Public Health http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/ California Department of Public Health https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspxCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/index.html Spanish https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index-sp.html World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus LA County residents can also call 2-1-1
The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County.Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion. To learn more about Los Angeles County Public Health, please visit www.publichealth .lacounty.gov.
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