Boosters That Increase Immunity Against Newer Variants Now Available
Updated COVID-19 boosters are now available in LA County. The updated booster increases immunity against the newer Omicron variants, which account for most current cases, as well as prior strains. As Omicron variants keep emerging, the updated booster dose is an important tool to protect us as it includes the dominant strains now.
The updated boosters are available for everyone aged 12+:
- Following completion of their primary series of any COVID-19 vaccine.
- Regardless of the number of booster doses received.
- And are the only mRNA booster doses that are available to those 12 years and older. Those 12+ are no longer eligible for the current mRNA boosters based only on the original strain of the virus.
Get boosted today. To find a location near you, visit http://VaccinateLACounty.com.
Furthermore, Public Health offers in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to those who have difficulties leaving their home. If you, or someone you know, could benefit from an in-home COVID-19 vaccination fill out the online form here, or call 1-833-540-0473 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. seven days a week. Multiple languages are available.
Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines Can Help Reduce Disruptions at Schools
Reducing disruptions at schools is easier when COVID-19 community transmission is lower. As Los Angeles County continues to experience fewer cases and hospitalizations, spread of the virus can be further decreased when those infected or exposed adhere to isolation, testing, and masking guidance.?
Similar to requirements for the general population, students and staff with COVID-19 can end isolation after day five if: a COVID-19 test on day five or later is negative, there is no fever for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine, and existing symptoms have subsided or are improving. Those with a known exposure can continue their customary activities, including attending school and extracurricular activities, provided they are asymptomatic, have a negative test between days three to five, and wear a mask when around others indoors.
The county?s lower transmission rate is reflected on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level framework, which measures COVID-19 stress on the hospital system. The county is in the Low Community Level, with a weekly case rate of 159 cases per 100,000, a hospital admission rate of 7.8 new admissions per 100,000 people, and 4.6% of total hospital admissions among COVID-19 patients the week of Sept. 5.
The Omicron variant continues to account for 100% of sequenced specimens in the county, with the BA.5 subvariant of Omicron as the predominant subvariant. For the week ending Aug. 20, 95% of all sequenced specimens were BA.5. The CDC has reported an increase in the BA.4.6 sublineage of Omicron across the country, especially in the Midwest, estimating that 8.4% of sequenced specimens were BA.4.6 as of Sept. 3. However, BA.4.6 has remained at very low levels in LA County, and for the week ending Aug. 20, the most recent data available, BA.4.6 accounted for 1.4% of specimens.??
Since schools reopened in August, the number of clusters of three or more linked cases and outbreaks declined last week after a month of steady increases. For the week ending Sept. 3 there were 309 reported clusters of three or more cases, nearly a 31% decrease from the week prior when 446 clusters of cases were reported. There has also been a total of 926 school clusters reported that involved more than 6,000 individuals, of which 5,702 were students.
Also, in the month since schools reopened, 63 outbreaks have been documented in schools, with 36 reported in elementary schools, 12 reported in middle schools, 10 associated with youth sports programs, and four reported at high schools.
?I send my deepest sympathies and wishes of peace and comfort to the many families who have lost a loved one from COVID-19,? said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. ?As the new school year is underway, it?s important for all students and staff to follow isolation and quarantine guidelines when they are infected or are exposed to someone with COVID-19.? With a highly transmissible variant, continued concerns related to mortality, reinfections and long-COVID, and tens of thousands of vulnerable residents, taking sensible steps to avoid infecting others remains important.?? We know how quickly one case can infect others, creating clusters and outbreaks in classrooms, sports teams, and other settings. When everyone looks out for each other by staying home when ill and masking indoors when exiting isolation early and when identified as a close contact, there are likely to be fewer disruptions at schools and worksites.?
When Should I Get a COVID-19 Test?
Did you recently travel or attend a large gathering? Get tested for COVID-19 to help reduce transmission & risk to others. Find covid testing at http://COVID19.LACounty.gov/testing.
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:
It is recommended you follow @lapublichealth on?Facebook,?Twitter?or?Instagram?the latest updates about Los Angeles County.
Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus:
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