Seniors, People Living in High Poverty Areas Remain Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19
The most recent data* on COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Los Angeles County show there’s an undeniable need for the community to continue collective efforts to protect seniors and people living in areas of high poverty as they suffer worse outcomes than other county residents.
Public Health’s most recent 90-day data found the following among seniors:
- People 80 and older were nearly 3x more likely to be hospitalized than people 65 to 79.
- People 80 and older were more than 5x as likely to die than people 65 to 79.
- People 65 to 79 were more than 3x as likely to be hospitalized than people 50 to 64.
- People 65 to 79 were more than 5x as likely to die than people 50 to 64.
Hospitalization and death rates are nearly double for people living in the county’s poorest neighborhoods compared to those residing in the wealthiest neighborhoods.
Everyone can do their part to protect those more vulnerable to illness by following these simple steps:
- Wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask in public indoor spaces.
- At-home tests help you make sure you aren’t passing anything along unintentionally. Testing is a good tool before gatherings, after an exposure, or when you have symptoms.
- If you are sick, please stay home, recover, and take good care of yourself.
- Stay up to date on your vaccines, including the bivalent COVID-19 booster and this year’s seasonal flu shot.
Furthermore, seniors and residents who can’t easily leave their home may contact Public Health telehealth services at (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. to arrange for at-home COVID-19 bivalent booster and primary series vaccinations or transportation to a vaccination center.
*Data from a 90-day period ending Jan. 3, 2023.
Sick? Take Care of Yourself This Winter
If you find yourself sick this winter, there are resources to manage both COVID-19 and influenza (flu). What feels mild at first, can become severe, so it is better to test early and speak with a health professional right away.
To be effective, Paxlovid for COVID needs to be started within 5 days of symptom onset and Tamiflu, which is used to treat influenza or flu, should be started withing two days of your first symptoms.
If you test positive for COVID and don’t have a provider, you can get therapeutics through Public Health telehealth services at 1-833-540-0473 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Test to treat sites can be found at ph.lacounty.gov/CovidMedicines.
Celebrating Lunar New Year Safely
As family and friends come together to celebrate Lunar New Year this coming weekend celebrating safely will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. Here are ways to keep our community safe:
- Wear a mask, especially around seniors & immunocompromised people.
- Get the updated booster.
- Get tested before gathering.
Free COVID-19 Services Remain Available at Hundreds of Sites
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:
For the Public:
For Businesses:
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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