SPA 3 Regional Health Office
COVID-19 Weekly Update
November 19, 2021
Public Health Cautions: Not Getting Vaccinated Can Lead to Devastating Consequences
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions that not getting the COVID-19 vaccine can lead to devastating consequences.
While much has changed looking back a year ago, some things remain the same. Last year in November, LA County reported daily deaths in the low 20s while today it is reporting 10 new deaths. Last year at this time, there were over 900 patients each day receiving COVID-19 care at hospitals, while this year, there are 600 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. A year ago, about 7,200 people had lost their lives to the virus while today, that number has tragically increased to 26,872.
Although LA County is in better shape this November than last fall, the similar numbers for deaths are a reminder of the destructive power of this virus, and the relatively high numbers of hospitalizations reflect the dominance of the more infectious Delta variant.
To find a vaccination site near you, visit VaccinateLACounty.com or call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound.
Get COVID-19 Boosters Before the Holidays
If you are 65+ or have an underlying medical condition, get your COVID-19 booster dose as soon as possible, especially before the holiday gatherings where risk of getting and transmitting COVID-19 is higher.
The COVID-19 vaccines continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, including against the Delta variant. We continue to see highly effective protection against hospitalizations and severe outcomes for people who are fully vaccinated.
However, we are starting to see signs of reduced protection against infection and mild to moderate disease among certain populations, including those older than 65 years of age and those with underlying medical conditions. In addition, there is data that people who received a single Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine are better protected if they receive a booster dose.
For more information, please visit the DPH COVID -19 Vaccine Booster information webpage, infographic, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Summary Table.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Children
COVID-19 is one of the top 10 causes of death among children and unvaccinated teens 12 to 17 years old continue to now have the highest case rate of all age groups. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children, and it offers is the best way to protect your child from getting sick, being hospitalized, or developing long-term symptoms.
The CDC recommends that children and adolescents age 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. More than 11 million adolescents ages 12–17 have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, and as of November 2, children ages 5–11 are also eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccinating children can help protect family and friends, including people who are too young to be vaccinated (children under 5) and those who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, such as older adults and those with certain medical conditions
For more details about COVID-19 Vaccines for children, see Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions for Parents & Guardians.
If you have questions or concerns, speak with your child’s doctor or find a healthcare provider by calling 2-1-1.
Thanksgiving 2021 Safety Tips
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. The CDC recommends that all adults and children age 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. To enjoy a happy and healthy Thanksgiving, remember to track local transmission rates, take precautions like wearing a mask and washing your hands, and get a booster shot if you are eligible.
For a happy and healthy holiday, follow these steps:
- Get vaccinated. Children and adults age 5 and up should get a COVID-19 vaccine. Some groups of people are eligible for a booster shot. Visit your health department website for more info, or talk with your health provider.
- Wear a mask. Wear a cloth or surgical face mask over your mouth and nose when grocery shopping or in other public indoor settings, or when serving food.
- Wash your hands before eating or serving food
- Outdoors is safer than indoors—enjoy a picnic or other outdoor activities, weather permitting.
- Communicate in advance with guests about your COVID-19 ground rules and the precautions you’re taking. Cancel plans if you are sick, and stay away from others.
- Safe Travels. If possible, delay travel unless you are fully vaccinated. If you are traveling with unvaccinated family members, such as children who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, take additional precautions. Avoid crowds, wear a mask, and get tested before and after your trip.
The single most important thing we can do as a community to reduce our risk of another surge is to decrease our numbers of unvaccinated people; this means that our collective priority remains helping unvaccinated people, including children, get their first doses of vaccine.
For a printable version of Thanksgiving Recipe, click here.
COVID-19 Resources
Los Angeles’ COVID-19 Memorial
A 3-day virtual memorial event will be held Nov. 18 – Nov. 20 to commemorate Los Angeles’ COVID-19 deaths. The event will also honor those who have given aid during the pandemic.
To join or for details, click here.