L.A. City and County COVID-19 Weekly Update (April 19, 2021)

CA Health and Government COVID-19 Guidance: Week in Review

Overall Downward Trends Continue in L.A. County

L.A. County remains in Tier 3 of the State’s Blueprint.

As of April 13, 2021, L.A. County’s adjusted case rate had risen slightly to 3.2 new cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate also rose slightly from 1.4% back up to 1.5%, and in areas with the fewest health-affirming resources, L.A. County’s test positivity rate remained at 1.9%.

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On Monday, April 12, 2021, L.A. County Director of County Health Services Dr. Christina Ghaly reported that the County’s estimated transmission number (“R”) is now 0.90, down slightly from the previous week’s estimate of 0.92. The County model suggests that approximately 0.07% of County residents, or one in 1,400, are currently infected and infectious to others. Last week, this estimate was one in 1,300.

The County reported increases in new case numbers and deaths on several days last week, as well as a three-day rise in hospitalizations. However, trends continue to decline, and on Saturday, April 17, the County Department of Public Health reported a daily test positivity rate of 0.9%, “the lowest the rate has been since the beginning of the pandemic.”

Reduced Restrictions on Indoor Events

On Monday, April 12, 2021, L.A. County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer announced new reduced rules on indoor events such as live concerts, meetings and private gatherings, relaxing the County’s prior restrictions.

Indoor live events and performances: open for in-state visitors only, who must prepurchase tickets.

  • Eating or drinking is not permitted anywhere except predesignated eating areas.
  • Masks must be worn at all times except when in designated eating areas.
  • There must be six feet of distance between different households unless people are fully vaccinated.
  • As with outdoor live events, employers must offer a weekly worker testing program.
  • For venues that hold up to 1,500 people, there is a maximum capacity limit of 15% or 200 people, whichever is fewer. However, the capacity limit can increase to 35% if all guests are tested or vaccinated.
  • For venues that hold more than 1,500 people, there is a capacity limit of 10% or 2,000 people, whichever is fewer, although the capacity limit can increase to 25% if all guests are tested or vaccinated.

Private meetings such as conferences, receptions and meetings: permitted with the following safety measures:

  • There must be a defined guest list or tickets must be purchased.
  • Masks must be worn at all times unless attendees are eating or drinking.
  • There must be six feet of distance between tables and chairs for guests not vaccinated.
  • There must be assigned seating or a seating chart with a maximum of six people per table for guests not vaccinated.
  • No intermingling of multiple private events.

Outdoor private events: permitted, with a maximum of 100 people, but that limit can increase to 300 people if all guests are tested or vaccinated.

  • Tables are also limited to six people from a maximum of three households unless everyone at the table is vaccinated. Indoor private events are only allowed if all guests are tested or vaccinated, with a limit of 150 guests.

Private social or informal gatherings:

  • Outdoor gatherings can have up to a maximum of 50 people.
    • Masks will be required at all times unless people are eating or drinking.
    • There must be six feet of distance between tables and chairs.
    • Seating at tables is restricted to six people from up to three households. If everyone is vaccinated, the capacity limit at tables is not necessary.
  • Indoor private gatherings are permitted, but strongly discouraged:
    • A max of 25 people or a 25% capacity limit where capacity limits exist.
    • Masks must be worn at all times unless everyone is fully vaccinated.
    • No eating or drinking unless everyone attending is fully vaccinated or everyone attending is fully vaccinated except for members of one household that does not have any high-risk individuals. 

Vaccinations

As of Friday, April 16, 2021, the County reported administering nearly 5.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, including more than 1.9 million second doses, and 136,232 single doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

This week, the L.A. County Department of Public Health expects to receive approximately 362,000 vaccine doses, an increase of nearly 39,000 doses from last week. Approximately 68% of this week’s vaccine supply will be for first doses and 32% for second doses. Of the 362,000 doses of vaccine the County expects to receive this week, 73% of doses will go to sites located in the most vulnerable communities.

Vaccination appointments are now open to all County residents over the age of 16.

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