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Dear Community Partners,
Below are important developments that will help you and your clients stay informed.
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SPA 3 Regional Health Office
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LA County Remains at CDC-Designated High Community Level
Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels framework, Los Angeles County remains at the high community level this week. However, there are indications that LA County may very soon be moving to the medium community level. Given the latest trends in cases and hospitalizations, Public Health is not instituting universal indoor masking at this time.
Although Public Health did not issue a new health officer order to require universal indoor masking because of the improvements in our hospital metrics, given the continued high rate of transmission, wearing masks indoors in public spaces, will reduce risk and limit spread.
Masks help to slow the rate of transmission and protect those most vulnerable. Of all the tools we have used in the pandemic to counter the spread of COVID-19, indoor masking is one of the simplest and most effective tools we have to counter rapid spread of the virus. Please wear a mask around others in indoor public spaces; this is how we keep each other safe when there is rampant viral spread.
Masks protect others by blocking the droplets and particles you breathe, cough, or sneeze out. If the mask is well-fitted over your nose and mouth, it protects you from spreading COVID-19 if you are infected. For more on masks and which ones offer the best protection, click here.
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At a time of high transmission, there is an increased risk of getting infected with COVID-19 for everyone, including those most vulnerable. While vaccines provide powerful protection against severe illness and death, the most recent sub-variants circulating are more easily able to evade some of the protections from vaccines and immunity from previous infection, leading to increased transmissibility, more people living with long COVID and higher rates of re-infections. To protect yourself, family, and others, here are some things you can do to reduce the spread of infection with BA.5:
1. Vaccines & boosters: Being up to date on vaccinations offers the best chance of avoiding the worst outcomes. Vaccines and boosters continue to significantly reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
2. Therapeutics: If you have underlying health conditions or are an older adult, be prepared to seek treatment right away if you become sick with COVID-19. There are free, lifesaving-medications available to treat COVID-19, should you become infected and gravely ill. You can learn more about free medication at ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines or by calling the Public Health Call Center/Tele-Health Service at 1-833-540-0473 (open 7 days a week from 8am to 8:30pm).
3. Testing: Get tested if you are sick or were recently exposed. Please click here for a list of LA County Testing Sites or click here to order at-home test kits.
- Isolate away from others if you test positive.
- If you are planning to attend a private event, test yourself before going and stay home if you test positive.
- If you are hosting an event, ask your guests to test before attending.
4. Ventilation: Consider hosting events outdoors. Outside remains safer than inside for parties and events. If you do move indoors, increase ventilation and wear a mask when not actively eating or drinking. If you are eating indoors, it is safer to choose a location with great ventilation (including open windows and doors) and some distance from others.
5. DPH Resources: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health manages seven (7) COVID vaccination sites. Walk-ins are available, or you can make an appointment. There are three sites that have been designated Full-Service Vaccination Points of Dispensing (POD) Sites. These sites offer COVID-19 vaccines/booster, COVID-19 at-home-test kits, and produce distribution at select sites. To view the list of sites and the services they offer, click here.
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Children under the age of 18 in LA County continue to be significantly impacted by COVID-19, with many who were infected experiencing serious illness or long COVID. While most children experience mild illness, there is no way to know in advance how children will be affected by COVID-19.
With the new school year fast approaching, parents are urged to make sure that they and their children are up to date on their vaccinations and boosters, when eligible. Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are NOW available to children 6 months to 17 years.
Here are some tips you can take after your child’s COVID-19 vaccination:
- Monitor your child for 15 minutes after their vaccine.
- Remind your child how well they did during the visit.
- Do something fun together to celebrate.
- After you go home, watch for side effects.
To learn more on how to prepare your child for vaccines, click here.
To view helpful videos when deciding on COVID-19 vaccine for your kids, click here.
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Heading back to school is an exciting time of year for students and families. As students go back to school, it is important that they eat healthy and stay active, are up to date on their immunizations, and know the signs of bullying for a healthier and safer school year.
Click here to learn more on heading back to school safer and healthier this year.
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COVID-19 Media Briefing
If you missed the latest Public Health virtual media briefing, the recording is available. Click here to watch the recording on YouTube.
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Need a COVID-19 Vaccination Presentation?
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers an array of presentations, including COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Monkeypox. If you would like to schedule a presentation for your organization, click here.
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Public Health continues to work to monitor and control the spread of human monkeypox virus. As of August 1, 2022, there are 400 cases reported in LA County.
Since doses of the vaccine are currently limited, to provide protection to those most at risk of monkeypox infection, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has aligned with the nationwide monkeypox vaccination strategy.
In alignment with the nationwide strategies, the following Los Angeles County residents are currently eligible to receive the JYNNEOS vaccine:
- Persons confirmed by Public Health to have had high-or intermediate-risk contact with someone with monkeypox, as defined by CDC.
- Persons who attended an event or venue where there was high risk of exposure to an individual(s) with confirmed monkeypox virus through skin-to-skin or sexual contact.
- High-risk congregate settings determined by Public Health
- Gay or bisexual men and transgender persons who:
- Had a diagnosis of gonorrhea and/or early syphilis within the past 12 months, OR
- Are on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), OR
- Attended or worked at a commercial sex venue or other venue where they had anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners (e.g., saunas, bathhouses, sex clubs, sex party) within the past 21 days.
Public Health will directly communicate to eligible patients in groups #1-3 to provide details on how and where to access the JYNNEOS vaccine. Providers who do not have JYNNEOS vaccine can refer gay or bisexual men and transgender persons meeting eligibility criteria #4 to a monkeypox vaccination site if they provide the patient with an appropriate and verifiable test result in the last 12 months OR a signed medical attestation form.
Public Health is offering Speakers’ Bureau presentations on monkeypox. Request a presentation here.
For more on monkeypox, visit this webpage.
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Pomona Wellness Community offers a place for community members to gather, find resources, or participate in wellness activities. Support includes mental health, substance use, and general health and wellness resources. All activities are FREE and open to the community. Our August program includes:
Visit our website: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chs/pwc.htm
Download our monthly calendar of programs here
Email: pomonawc@ph.lacounty.gov
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Cooling Centers
High temperatures are a major threat to the public’s health. Being exposed to high temperatures or extreme heat, humidity, and poor air quality can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death. Cooling centers are places where people can go when they do not have a cool place or air conditioning at home to get relief from the heat. To find a cooling center near you click here.
COVID-19 prevention measures are required at cooling centers to protect visitors and staff. Click here to learn more about Cooling Centers and COVID-19.
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Food Pantry and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
The L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise Community Resource Center in El Monte has partnered with God’s Pantry to host a walk up food distribution event. Community members are welcome to walk up and pick up a bag of assorted groceries, fruits, vegetables, and other goodies at no cost.
Chinatown Service Center will also be on site to host a free COVID-19 vaccination
clinic and a COVID-19 at home test kits giveaway. Both Pfizer & Moderna 1st, 2nd, boosters, vaccines will be available for adults and children.
Visitors who get vaccinated will receive a free premium gift.
Wednesday, August 17
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
3570 Santa Anita Ave. El Monte, CA 91731
Click here for the event flyer in English and Spanish.
To view the Community Resource Center's August calendar of events, click here.
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Azusa Youth & Family Center Now Open!
The Azusa Youth & Family Center is now open at Memorial Park North Recreation Center, located at 340 N. Orange Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702! Events for youth, job coaching, health workshops and more will be offered. Click the calendar below to enlarge.
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Parks After Dark is back! The program returns this summer with free activities at 34 County parks. Take your family and friends for concerts, movie nights, and a variety of free programs including sports, fitness, wellness, food, games and much more!
To view schedule and locations, click here.
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Free Summer Lunch and Snack Program at LA County Parks
LA County Parks & Recreation is offering children and youth ages 18 and under with nutritious lunch and snacks that include vegetables, fruits, seeds and healthy dairy products like milk, string cheese and yogurt, at 46 locations.
- Program is Monday through Friday
- June 13 through August 5
- Lunch is served from 12 to 1 p.m.
- Snack is served from 3 to 4 p.m.
Youth meals will be available for dine-in only at enclosed designated areas. Lunch and snack will be provided to youth participants only.
To view the LA County Parks locations for the 2022 Free Summer Lunch and Snack Program, click here.
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LA County Library’s Annual Free Lunch for Kids & Teens
LA County Library’s annual Lunch at the Library program returns this summer, providing free meals to kids and teens 18 and under.
Meals are available for pick-up on a first come, first served basis at select libraries from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. either Monday – Friday or Tuesday – Friday, starting June 13 or June 21, depending on location, and running through August 5, with the exceptions of June 20 and July 4.
To view location information, click here.
There are no restrictions on family income. Parents and caregivers can pick up on behalf of children—kids and teens don’t need to be present but are welcome!
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Sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Newsletter to stay updated on COVID-19 related facts. Visit VaccinateLACounty.com to learn more about:
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Melisa Acoba, MPH
(She/Her/Hers)
Health Program Analyst – COVID-19 Response
Community and Field Services Division, San Gabriel Valley (Service Planning Area 3)
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
(833) 641-0305 ext. 9991
macoba@ph.lacounty.gov
750 S. Park Avenue, Pomona, CA 91766
Sign up for a free class/workshop!
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