With federal emergency declarations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic ending, Los Angeles County well being officers reminded residents on Thursday, Might 11, that vaccinations stay available, together with authorised therapeutics and testing kits.
In an announcement, the county Division of Public Well being famous that COVID-19 “continues to be one of many main causes of loss of life in Los Angeles County, requiring ongoing efforts to scale back extreme sickness by available vaccinations, testing and remedy.”
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Well being officers stated the federal authorities will proceed to make its provide of the therapeutic drugs Paxlovid and Molnupiravir accessible for free of charge no matter insurance coverage protection, whereas state legislation requires insurance policy to cowl the prices of vaccines, testing and Paxlovid by Nov. 11.
“We’re grateful that Los Angeles County is in a greater place and that emergency declarations are now not wanted,” county Public Well being Director Barbara Ferrer stated in an announcement. “I’m conscious that every day hundreds of individuals all through Los Angeles County proceed to be impacted by COVID-19, whether or not they should miss work resulting from sickness, require hospital care, or are experiencing the consequences of lengthy COVID.
“Public Well being stays dedicated to work that reduces the possibility of transmission and ensures the county stays ready for the probability of periodic adjustments in transmission. We’re persevering with our work to ensure there aren’t any obstacles for anybody wishing to entry life-saving vaccines, therapeutics and checks, particularly for many who are underneath insured or uninsured.”
For the week ending Wednesday, the county recorded 2,266 new COVID-19 infections, down from 2,533 the earlier week. The precise variety of circumstances within the county is believed to be a lot larger resulting from individuals who don’t report the outcomes of at-home checks or don’t take a look at in any respect.
The county reported a complete of 46 virus-related deaths for the week ending Wednesday, down from 51 the earlier week. As of Tuesday, a complete of 36,291 virus-related deaths have been reported within the county for the reason that pandemic started.
