COVID Updates
Right now, LA County is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. According to the LA County Department of Public Health, community transmission is increasing at concerning levels. The county’s test positivity rate, or the percentage of tests that receive a positive result, has increased over the past month from an average of about 3.6% on October 3rd to about 5.9% as of yesterday, November 12th. These numbers are alarming and remind us that COVID-19 remains a serious threat. Please remember to do all that you can to mitigate the spread of this virus. This means wearing a mask in public; practicing social distancing; and washing your hands frequently. We cannot overcome this virus without each and every one of us playing a part.
To reduce the risk of spread, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued travel advisories urging those who are entering or returning to their states from a different state or country to self-quarantine for 14 days. The advisories also strongly recommend that residents stay local and avoid non-essential out-of-state travel. The announcement comes after California reached one million COVID-19 cases. Although this may be difficult for many, especially as Thanksgiving approaches, please remember that staying close to home will help keep you and your families safe.
Transmission of COVID-19 is widespread and increasing in L.A. County at an alarming rate. Therefore, it is very important that individuals, communities, and businesses understand, implement and continue to comply with County Health Department’s protocols and directives. In order to get back to slowing the spread, the Department of Public Health urges everyone to avoid crowds and close contact with others not in your household. If gathering with others, please do so safely.
What you can do to gather as safely as possible:
3 households or fewer (including yours)
Outdoor gatherings only
Face coverings + physical distancing
Stick with your bubble, don’t join others
When dining outdoors at restaurants, avoid tents that are blocked on more than one side. Tents that are blocked on two (or more) sides are not in compliance since they do not allow for proper airflow.
Anyone who has been around groups of people without face coverings or physical distancing should quarantine themselves for 14 days.
Flu season is upon us so please make sure to get your flu shot. As you know, the flu is more than a bad cold, it can be mild to severe, and at times can lead to life-threatening illness, hospitalization, or death. This year, the flu and COVID-19 will be circulating simultaneously in communities throughout LA County, and both can cause serious illness. The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu, is to all get a flu immunization.
In fact, Anthem Blue Cross is offering free flu shots this week (including non-members) at the Collins & Katz Family YMCA, 1466 S Westgate Avenue in West Los Angeles at the following times:
November 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register hereNovember 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register hereNovember 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register hereNovember 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register hereNovember 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register here
For more information, including where to locate a flu immunization at low or no-cost, please call 2-1-1 from anywhere in Los Angeles County or click here. You can also call your local pharmacy or your doctor to see if flu shots are available. Receiving your flu shot is the best thing you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick this season.
Weekly reminder:
With the holidays coming up, please remember that COVID-19 remains highly contagious and can spread easily at indoor gatherings. For that reason, all private gatherings must be held outdoors. Small outdoor gatherings with people from no more than three separate households are permitted as long as everyone wears a mask and keeps 6 feet of distance. For more guidelines on private gatherings, please click here.
This is a difficult and uncertain period for all of us, when many are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed. If you are feeling this way, please know that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to, please call the LA County Department of Mental Health hotline at (800) 854-7771 or text “LA” to 741741. Please also view the CDC’s guidance for coping with stress and anxiety during a pandemic.
Please remember to get your flu shot to stay healthy this season. It is likely that both COVID-19 and the flu will be present at the same time in LA County this year. You can get a flu shot at any local pharmacy. For quick flu facts and frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and the flu, click here.
If you tested positive for COVID-19, you should expect a call or text from a county public health specialist as part of an effort to contact trace and contain the spread of the virus. They are not law enforcement officers and will not ask about immigration status. If you tested positive for COVID-19 and have not yet heard from a contact tracer, please call 1-833-540-0473. To aid in this effort, LA County and City of Los Angeles leaders announced a partnership with SafePass, a mobile app to help expand local efforts to contract trace and contain the spread of COVID-19. For more information on the app and to download your SafePass, please go to citizen.com/safepass.
Have you witnessed fraud, waste, or abuse of coronavirus pandemic relief funds? Congress has approved over $3 trillion in federal spending to combat the pandemic and I am committed to ensuring your tax dollars are being spent properly. I encourage you to visit coronavirus.house.gov/contact/tip-line or call 202-225-4400 today to report waste, fraud, or abuse of COVID-19 funds.
From the State
This week, Governor Newsom reported a rise in the COVID-19 testing positivity rate in California, which, as of November 12th, stands at 4.2%. Hospitalizations have also gone up by about 32% over the past two weeks and intensive-care admissions have increased by 30%, according to a recent report given by Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s health and human services secretary. In response to these numbers, the state of California has ordered eleven counties to drop on the tiered system for reopening, causing many business owners to roll back plans to reopen their doors. It is critical that each Californian take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home; wearing a face mask; and engaging in social distancing.
In the middle of a pandemic, ensuring Californians have access to quality, affordable health care options is more important than ever. Californians can sign up for health care coverage now through Covered California’s open enrollment period. Consumers who shop health care plans during this time will benefit from California’s lowest rate change of 0.5% for 2021. To learn more and shop and compare plans, please visit coveredca.com.
Additional Resources
• All LA County residents who would like to get tested should first contact their Primary Care Provider to see if they offer COVID-19 tests. If you cannot access a test through your provider, LA County is offering free testing, which is recommended if you:
Have symptoms related to COVID-19.
Were asked to get tested by LA Public Health because of a contact tracing investigation.
Were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks.
Work or live in a skilled nursing facility; group home; residential care facility; homeless shelter; or correctional facility.
Are experiencing homelessness.
Are an essential worker with frequent contact with the public.
Don’t have symptoms but believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
• The City of Los Angeles is ramping up its COVID-19 testing capacity in response to the recent surge in cases. The city now has the capacity to test over 32,400 people per day. If you live in the City of LA and would like to get tested, please go to corona-virus.la/covid-19-testing.
• For updated data on COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California and LA County, please go to update.covid19.ca.gov and publichealth.lacounty.gov.
• On Monday, Pfizer announced encouraging results from its COVID-19 vaccine trial. The early data shows the vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing the disease. For more information on the vaccine, please click here. To view California’s COVID-19 distribution plan, please click here.
• The deadline for non-filers to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) has been extended to November 21st. If you did not file a 2019 tax return and haven’t received your EIP, please click here to enter your information.
• California is helping small businesses expand their online presence through free Digital Bootcamp sessions. If you’d like to learn more about how to market your brand online, please click here to register today!
• If your small business is in need of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face masks, hand sanitizer and face shields, PPE Unite may be able to help. PPE Unite is a public and private partnership with a mission of providing LA County businesses with much-needed PPE in response to the pandemic. Please go to PPEunite.org to sign up.
• LA County Development Authority and LA Homeless Services Authority are teaming up for a virtual meeting to discuss your community’s needs when it comes to housing, homelessness and economic development. The meeting will take place tomorrow, Saturday, November 14th at 1:00 p.m. To register, please go to yourvoicecounts.lacda.org.
• The California Medi-Nurse Line is available 24/7 to help those without a regular doctor or health care plan access medical services. Please call the Medi-Nurse Line at 1-877-409-9052 if you need medical assistance.
• Please follow the tips below to help ensure playground safety.
• Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation is holding free after school programs for 1st through 6th graders Tuesdays-Fridays from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. Strict COVID-19 guidelines will be in place to keep everyone safe. To register your children, please click here.
• Do you know an older adult who may need free meals? They may be eligible to receive up to three free home-delivered meals per day through the Great Plates Delivered program. To apply, please click here.
• For Thanksgiving, LA County Parks is holding a drive-thru, grab-n-go feast to distribute food supplies, gift certificates for free turkeys and more. For more information and to pre-register, please click here.
• Please remember to watch out for price gouging during this time of crisis. If you experience an increase in prices for basic goods, please report the incident at stoppricegouging.dcba.lacounty.gov or call (800) 593-8222.
• LA County’s Eviction Moratorium has been extended through January 31st. To learn more about the moratorium, please visit dcba.lacounty.gov/rentstabilization. If you have questions, you can contact a rent counselor at (833) 223-RENT (7368) or rent@dcba.lacounty.gov.
Information compiled from the newsletter of Councilmember Paul Koretz and the website of US Representative Ted Lieu.