Officials also reported 14,669 new cases of COVID-19 and 253 additional deaths, bringing the county’s total to 1,003,923 cases and 13,741 fatalities.
Of the 238 deaths, excluding those in Long Beach and Pasadena – which have their own health departments – 81 were over the age of 80, 92 were between 65 and 79, 49 between 50 and 64, 12 people were between 30 and 49, and four were between the ages of 18 and 29 years old.
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The number of coronavirus patients in district hospitals remained unchanged from Friday at 7,597, with 22% in the ICU. After a peak of just over 8,000, hospital admissions have gradually declined in recent days.
The province has a total of approximately 2,500 licensed ICU beds.
But health officials have warned that the number of hospitals could rise again significantly as a result of people infected during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The county continues to see increased numbers of new cases on a daily basis, which always translates to more people being hospitalized.
While the 1 million figure represents about one-tenth of the total population, models released by the county this week estimate that as many as one-third of residents have ever actually been infected, probably without ever knowing it.
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The Los Angeles County Public Health Department confirmed the first case of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 in a person who recently spent time in Los Angeles County. The individual is a man who has traveled to Oregon, where he is currently isolating.
The variant was confirmed by Quest Laboratories in Washington State.
Although it is the first confirmed case of the variant in Los Angeles County, public health officials here believe the species is already spreading in the community and are continuing to test samples.
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“The presence of the UK variant in Los Angeles County is alarming as our health care system is already under severe strain and more than 7,500 people are currently hospitalized,” said Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “Our community is suffering from the winter increase, with massive numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, five times as many as during the summer. This more contagious variety is spreading infections in workplaces, shops and our homes. easier.
“We are in the middle of a public health emergency, so please do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you have to work outside your home, make sure your workplace meets all mandatory safety guidelines. no crowds, protective clothing and face coverings are provided as required, and infection control measures fully implemented. For those who can, now is the time to stay away from all non-household members, and, when you are around others must be, always keep your distance and wear a face cover. Wash your hands every hour and wipe frequently touched surfaces several times a day. We must use the tools available to prevent each other from infecting. “
The new species does not make people sicker, but is much more easily transmitted, allowing it to spread quickly through the population.
Meanwhile, the province is working to ramp up vaccination efforts, with plans to open five large-scale vaccination centers on Tuesday. Those are in addition to the large site that the city opened at Dodger Stadium on Friday, and 75 smaller sites that the county already has in operation.
The main question now is the availability of vaccines.
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Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer of the district health department, said the district has administered more than 279,000 doses of vaccine to health professionals and staff and residents of skilled nursing and long-term care facilities as of Thursday. He said the province has administered 44% of the vaccines it has received for use as first doses in the two-dose regimen, along with 30% of the vaccines intended for use as second doses.
“The remaining doses have either been distributed to our partner vaccination providers or have been assigned for use in the coming weeks,” said Simon.
Simon said he sympathized with people frustrated by the slow pace at which the vaccines are delivered – especially among people 65 and older, who are already receiving vaccines in other jurisdictions that are deeper in the distribution process. Los Angeles County does not expect the vaccination of those people to take until February, as it is expected to take the vaccination of health workers to completion.
“We too want to expand vaccinations to people over 65 as soon as possible,” said Simon. “The main barrier at this point is the lack of adequate vaccine. We are hopeful that a supplemental vaccine will be available soon so that we can begin vaccinating seniors in the coming weeks. We recognize that seniors and others are understandably anxious. and in many cases frustrated with the delay in receiving the vaccine. Know that we are committed to expanding access to the vaccine as soon as possible. “
City News Service contributed to this report.
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