Living in Los Angeles County (LAC) during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a challenge, but there are preventative measures that can be taken to stay healthy and avoid infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established hospital admission levels to guide countywide risk assessment and inform the adoption of prevention strategies. When the hospital admission rate reaches or exceeds the threshold of a higher level for at least fourteen (1) consecutive days, LAC will implement strategies to increase the level of hospital admission. Outbreaks have been reported in places where people gather, such as restaurants, choir offices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices, and places of worship.
To reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, it is important to avoid crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together and in close proximity. California health authorities have also announced a regional stay-at-home order that will be activated if Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity falls below 15 percent in a given region. In addition to obesity and tobacco prevention initiatives aimed at the entire population of the county, some initiatives target high-risk groups. For each sector, general mitigation measures and other measures should be implemented based on an assessment of the situation, including the indicators of CDC hospital admission levels related to COVID-19 and the tables of early warning signs for Los Angeles County. It is also important to keep up to date with the latest information on COVID-19 by regularly checking for updates from WHO and national and local public health authorities. The best way to stay healthy during this pandemic is to practice social distancing, wear a face covering or mask in public places, and follow the Home Safety Order.
Adopting healthy behaviors in childhood can have long-lasting benefits, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and associated costs. For more information on home safety or other COVID-19 related topics, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's website.
