LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Los Angeles County reported 916 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 additional deaths related to the virus on Sunday, in numbers that could reflect an undercount due to delays in weekend reporting.
Sunday’s update brought the county’s total to 1,485,105 cases and 26,549 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
What you need to know
- LA County reported 916 new cases and 10 additional deaths on Sunday
- The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 dropped to 610 from 614 on Saturday
- There were 179 COVID patients in the intensive care unit, up from 175 the day before
- According to figures released Thursday, 79% of the county’s eligible residents ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 71% are fully vaccinated
The number of people hospitalized in the county with COVID-19 fell from 614 on Saturday to 610, according to the state. There were 179 COVID patients in intensive care, up from 175 the day before.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County’s vendors, with federal approval, have begun offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to those who have previously received any of the three vaccines in circulation.
Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approved the wider distribution of booster shots on Friday following a recommendation by a CDC advisory panel on Thursday.
Booster doses were previously only available to people who received the Pfizer vaccine during their initial doses. The new CDC approval now offers booster vaccinations to people who have received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Under state guidance, people can get a different brand of booster syringes than their original doses.
Booster shots are available for people who:
- 65 years or older
- aged 18 and over and live in long-term care facilities
- from 18 years of age with previous illnesses
- aged 18 and over and live or work in high risk environments
Individuals who received the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna shots should receive a booster no earlier than six months after their last dose. For Johnson & Johnson’s one-time vaccine, people have to wait at least two months after being vaccinated.
“While we continue to give priority to vaccinating unvaccinated individuals against COVID-19, we encourage those eligible to boost their immunity with a booster,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health for the county. “It is important that those who are at high risk due to their age, underlying health conditions, or work environment receive their booster dose, and we encourage people who fall into these higher risk categories to ensure they get your booster vaccination well received before the holiday. “
Most vaccination sites do not require appointments, and vaccinations are usually available on a walk-in basis. However, appointments can be made at www.VaccinateLACounty.com or in Spanish at www.VacunateLosAngeles.com.
According to figures released Thursday, 79% of the county’s eligible residents ages 12 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine and 71% are fully vaccinated.
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