February 10, 2022

Today, Public Health confirmed 81 additional deaths and 6,276 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 81 newly reported deaths, 64 had underlying health conditions.

Today’s positivity rate is 4.7%.

There are 2,464 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized.

As long as L.A. County remains under 2,500 hospitalizations, we can expect to launch our post-surge actions next Wednesday.

In Preparation for Super Bowl Sunday, Residents are Reminded of Safety Measures

With less than three days remaining before the Super Bowl, Public Health reminds residents that transmission remains high across the County and residents should layer safety measures as they make plans to attend the game in-person, gather with friends or family, or watch the game at a local entertainment venue such as a bar or restaurant.

With broad access to safe and effective coronavirus vaccines, there are several steps fans can take to watch the game and stay safe. The best way to stay protected from severe illness from COVID-19 before the game is to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as eligible.

Smaller gatherings are recommended, as mixing with different households increases the risk of infection. People should also gather outdoors, if possible, and if it can be done safely, move the TV outside or plan to serve food and drinks outdoors. If having an outdoor Super Bowl gathering is not possible, it is recommended that organizers improve airflow, including using fans or portable air cleaners, opening windows, or running the air conditioning.

Residents should also consider getting a rapid test as close to the game as possible, especially when gathering indoors with people who are unvaccinated and/or are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Rapid tests, including over the counter (OTC) self-tests, provide a result in 15-30 minutes. Residents can also find a testing site in LA County at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/.

Wearing an upgraded mask (including respirators such as an N95, KN95, or KF94) also adds a stronger layer of protection, especially if gathering indoors or in crowded spaces with unvaccinated guests, individuals with unknown vaccine status, or individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness.

According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, wearing a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with significantly lower odds of a positive COVID-19 test result compared with never wearing a face mask or respirator in these settings. Additionally, the CDC found that wearing N95/KN95 respirators provided the best protection and was associated with 83% lower odds of a positive test result compared with not wearing any face mask or respirator. The next best protection was provided by a surgical mask with a 66% lower odds of a positive test result compared with not wearing a mask.

These findings show that consistently wearing a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings is associated with a reduced risk of infection. This is a particularly important layer of protection to use when there are large numbers of breakthrough cases, as we’ve seen with the Omicron variant and during times of high transmission.

Lastly, if anyone is ill or has a positive COVID-19 test, they should stay home and not attend the game or gathering. Instead, they can join in virtually, or watch the game at home to keep your family and friends safe and healthy.

Those attending events at SoFi stadium or at the Super Bowl Experience at the Convention Center will need to wear a mask and verify their vaccination status or provide a negative test result prior to entering these events.

“Whether you are gathering at the stadium, a bar or restaurant, or at someone’s home, let’s rely on each other to stay safe by taking those small steps that make a big difference. Wear a high-quality mask, get tested before gathering, gather outdoors whenever possible, and get boosted or vaccinated this week if eligible.”
– Dr. Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health