LA County Reports 2,325 New Covid-19 Cases; Vaccinations Continue to Increase But Only 17.5% Receive Bivalent Booster
LA County reported 2,325 new cases of COVID-19 in the last week, bringing the cumulative total to 972,887 cases and 5,703 deaths.[0] Out of the total fatalities, 21 were aged 65 or above, 14 had received the vaccine, and all 22 had pre-existing medical issues.[1] The County Health and Human Services Agency reported 519,371 San Diegans chose to get the bivalent booster in the four months from when they were introduced September through the end of 2022.[1]
Vaccinations are still being administered in the County at various locations.[2] To date, more than 2.69 million or 80.5% of San Diegans have received the primary series of one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals aged six months and above are advised to get their primary COVID-19 vaccine series and booster dose (if applicable).
In Monterey County, 89.8% of individuals aged 5 and over who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have received at least one dose, 81.2% have finished their primary series, and 17.5% have had a bivalent booster dose. According to the CDC.
The County Health and Human Services Agency announced four more deaths related to the flu this week, making the season’s total now 37.[3] Over the winter season, 20,542 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, with a total of 156 in the last week.[3]
Data from the state reveals that the amount of people with coronavirus in Orange County hospitals has decreased by 26, bringing the total to 320.[4] 64.4% of those hospitalized in the county are either unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated.[5] The test positivity rate decreased from 13.7% to 13.6% in the health equity quartile.[5] The positivity rate for those fully vaccinated with a booster remained the same on Jan. 1.[5] For those who received only one dose of the vaccine, the rate increased from 9.7 to 10.4. For those not vaccinated the rate went from 13.6 to 14.4.
Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma J. Wooten advised San Diegans to not let their guards down and continue to protect themselves by getting vaccinated if they haven’t been already.[1] Vaccinations, including bivalent boosters, can help protect them from getting seriously ill or even dying.[3]
0. “Orange County COVID-19 data continues showing declines” Hey SoCal. Change is our intention., 20 Jan. 2023, https://heysocal.com/2023/01/19/orange-county-covid-19-data-continues-showing-declines/
1. “San Diego County COVID-19, influenza numbers take sharp drop” KPBS, 20 Jan. 2023, https://www.kpbs.org/news/local/2023/01/20/san-diego-county-covid-19-influenza-numbers-take-sharp-drop
2. “Eligible San Diegans Urged to Join the 540,000 Already Protected with Bivalent COVID-19 Booster” countynewscenter.com, 20 Jan. 2023, https://www.countynewscenter.com/eligible-san-diegans-urged-to-join-the-540000-already-protected-with-bivalent-covid-19-booster/
3. “County Officials Urge Residents To Seek Bivalent Booster As COVID Numbers Slide” Patch, 20 Jan. 2023, https://patch.com/california/san-diego/county-officials-urge-residents-seek-bivalent-booster-covid-numbers-slide
4. “COVID Hospitalizations Drop Significantly for Second Straight Week” NBC Palm Springs, 21 Jan. 2023, https://nbcpalmsprings.com/2023/01/20/covid-hospitalizations-drop-significantly-for-second-straight-week/
5. “Orange County sees drop in COVID hospitalizations” msnNOW, 8 Jan. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/orange-county-sees-drop-in-covid-hospitalizations/ar-AA166qX0