The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 256 new deaths and 5,189 new cases of COVID-19.  As of Wednesday, Feb. 3, Public Health identified 1,129,503 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of LA County and a total of 17,308 deaths (just under 1.54%).

On Wednesday, Public Health confirmed a third case of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the variant discovered in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Presence of the B.1.1.7 variant in Los Angeles County means virus transmission can happen more easily, and residents and businesses must be more diligent at implementing and following all standard public health safety measures, including face coverings, distancing and handwashing, put in place to prevent additional cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Public Health warns everyone of past tragic consequences of gatherings. In the weeks following every holiday, and many major sporting events, the County experienced increases in cases, and then hospitalizations and deaths. Public Health recommends residents enjoy the Super Bowl and cheer for their team from their home with those they live with. Residents should connect virtually with their friends and not gather with people from outside their household to watch the Super Bowl.

Of the 256 new deaths reported on Wednesday, 69 people who died were over the age of 80, 92 people were between the ages of 65 and 79, 51 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, 24 people were between the ages of 30 and 49. Thirteen deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach and seven deaths were reported by the City of Pasadena.

The City of Glendale reports 17,032 cases, the City of La Cañada Flintridge reports 671 cases, Sunland reports 2,004 cases, Tujunga reports 2,472 cases and in the unincorporated portion of Los Angeles County, Angeles National Forest reports 27 cases and La Crescenta-Montrose reports 948 cases.

Testing results are available for nearly 5,543,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive. There are 5,165 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 27% of these people are in the ICU.  

Along with the majority of the state, Los Angeles County is in the most restrictive purple tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In order to move into the red tier and have additional opportunities for reopenings, LA County’s daily case rate must be at or below seven new cases per 100,00 people and the County’s test positivity rate must be at or below 8%. As of Jan. 23, LA County’s adjusted case rate is 38.7 new cases per 100,000 people and the test positivity rate is 11.3%. 

“We share our deepest condolences to everyone who is mourning the loss of a family member, a loved one or a friend. Our prayers are with you always,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health. “Super Bowl parties have the power to derail our recovery and, given the likelihood that there are more infectious variants circulating in our community, let’s not take chances with our own health and the health of others by creating easy opportunities for the virus to spread. This weekend, we ask that you not share with others your respiratory droplets, which are more easily spread when we raise our voices, cheer, sing and chant. The serious consequences of gathering indoors with people outside of your household to watch the Super Bowl are just not worth it.”

As the County moves through its vaccination program, Public Health is prioritizing vaccinating individuals 65 years and older, while working with its partners and the state to further plan for vaccinating additional workers in the prioritized groups. Given the limited weekly shipments, a limited vaccine supply requires balancing priorities. While the state is updating its distribution plans, the County must also look at how best to protect the most vulnerable with the goal of reducing mortality. Patience is asked for until all the vaccine is received that is needed to get to everyone vaccinated who wants to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine remains very limited. Public Health’s www.VaccinateLACounty.com connects residents eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations to appointment registration links and much more. As appointments become available, residents with internet access and a computer are urged to use the website to sign up. For those without access to a computer or the internet or with disabilities, a call center is open to help schedule appointments at (833) 540-0473, daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.