LOS ANGELES (KNX) — The high vaccination rate among staffers and residents at nursing facilities is behind the low number of COVID-19 cases arising in those settings, Los Angeles health officials said Monday.
"Vaccination rates among those eligible remain very high with 91% of residents and 97% of staff fully vaccinated," the Department of Public Health said in a statement, adding that new cases are down 14% as a result of vaccination and boosters.
"Over the past month, the numbers of residents that have been boosted has remained steady at around 82% of eligible residents as of Jan. 9. Among staff, rates are lower, with only 54% of staff boosted at the end of December to 65% boosted as of Jan. 9."
Feb. 1 is the deadline for all healthcare workers in the county to get their booster shots, under the revised Health Officer order issued Dec. 23.
"The most tragic consequence of this surge is the increase in those dying from COVID. I extend my deepest condolences to everyone who has lost someone to this virus," Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health said.
"The recent increase in deaths has, sadly, included a small number of our most vulnerable residents living in nursing homes. Fortunately, with more than 80% of residents up to date on their vaccinations, while this surge has resulted in terrifying increases in cases at nursing homes, most residents who are infected are fully vaccinated and experiencing milder illness."
Monday the department reported the deaths of 27 additional Angelenos, along with 25,784 new cases. To date, more than 2.5 million L.A. County residents have contracted COVID-19.
To keep workplaces and schools open, L.A. County residents and workers are asked to adhere to masking requirements when indoors or at crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, remain home when sick and isolate if positive and quarantine when in close contact.
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations, click here. For testing information, click here.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Related
