SPA 5 & 6 Regional Health Office

COVID-19 Weekly Update

Vaccines Continue to be the Best Source of
Protection Against COVID-19

As cases in LA County remain high, vaccines – including boosters – are still the best source of protection against COVID-19, especially against hospitalization and death. From January 2 through January 8, 2022, unvaccinated people were twice as likely to contract the virus compared to those fully vaccinated without boosters. Residents who were vaccinated and boosted were even more protected with four times the protection from infection compared to those unvaccinated.

ll not be asked about your immigration status.

Vaccinated and boosted residents are at significantly less risk of ending up in the hospital. When comparing unvaccinated residents to those fully vaccinated without boosters, unvaccinated residents were five times more likely to be hospitalized. Residents who were both vaccinated and boosted had even higher levels of protection and were at least 20 times less likely to be hospitalized compared to those unvaccinated.

To find locations to get a COVID-19 vaccine, click here or call the DPH Vaccine Call Center 833-540-0473 open daily 8am to 8:30pm. Vaccines are free. Insurance is not required, and you wi

Beware of Fake COVID-19
Pop-up Sites and Fake COVID-19 At-Home Tests

If you believe you visited a fake COVID-19 testing site or purchased a fake test, call 800-593-8222 or visit here to file a report with LA County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.

If you believe your personal or financial information was stolen, follow our tips to avoid and report identity theft.

Medicine to Treat and Prevent COVID-19

Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home. There are now medicines available to treat people with mild-to-moderate illness who are at risk for developing severe COVID-19. If you feel you may be at higher risk, talk to your doctor or call 211 if you don’t have a doctor. The medicines must be prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Click on the following links to learn more about:

Checking for Counterfeit Masks

When buying a mask, be sure to use these tips to ensure the mask is legitimate and not a counterfeit!

Medical/Surgical Masks:

Medical masks should be resistant to fluids. Be aware that surgical-style masks may look the same as a true medical procedure or surgical masks but may not work as well.

Tip: Test your mask with a drop of water on the front. The water should not soak into the mask. It should form beads on the surface.

Respirator (N95 and KN95):

Look for a respirator that is NIOSH-approved. Signs that a respirator may be counterfeit:

No markings at all on the filtering facepiece respirator
No approval (TC) number on filtering facepiece respirator or headband
No NIOSH markings
NIOSH spelled incorrectly
Presence of decorative fabric or other decorative add-ons (e.g., sequins)
Claims for the approval for children (NIOSH does not approve any type of respiratory protection for children)
Filtering facepiece respirator has ear loops instead of headbands

To learn more on how to spot a counterfeit respirator or misrepresentation of NIOSH-Approval, click here.

The image below shows the markings a legitimate respirator will have:

Access to COVID-19 Testing

Getting tested for COVID-19 is an important strategy for reducing spread, especially for those who have symptoms, were exposed to an infected person, have traveled, and/or are gathering with others at high risk. Thanks to massive efforts by the state, the county, and the federal government, there are additional testing resources newly available for the public.

Visit a Community Testing Site: To find a convenient testing location near you, click here.
Get Free Tests via USPS: The federal government recently announced that every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Click here to order your free kits. Orders typically ship in 7-12 days.
Get Reimbursed by your Health Plan: Insurance companies are now required to reimburse you for up to eight tests per month (purchased on or after January 15, 2022) for each individual on the plan:

$12 per individual test (or the cost of the test, if less than $12)

If the plan or insurer has not set up a process through which individuals can obtain tests with no upfront costs, then the plan and insurer must reimburse in the full cost of the test, even if the test costs more than $12.

COVID-19 Resources

LA Public Health Podcast: Variants, Vaccines, and Surges with Dr. Muntu Davis

In this new podcast episode, Dr. Muntu Davis explains variants and how COVID-19 vaccines and testing can help keep us protected from surges.

Here are some helpful links mentioned during this episode:

COVID-19 information for the public on what COVID-19 is, symptoms of COVID-19, and how COVID-19 spreads
Up-to-date info for health care providers onisolation and quarantine guidelines
A PDF on COVID-19 variants, including information on the Omicron variant.

Register Now To Be A Parent Ambassador

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is looking for parents who want to make a difference in their community through the Parent Ambassador Program. The program offers parents an opportunity to learn more about COVID-19 variants, how the vaccines work, and ways to encourage others to stay safe to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Receive a gift stipend and certificate
Attend a 90-minute presentation
Get your questions answered by a local physician
Learn how to keep your families safe from COVID-19

Upcoming presentations:

Tuesday, 2/1/22 4:30pm - 6:00pm (Armenian)

To learn more and to register for the program, click here.

COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall Recording

In case you missed the DPH town hall on Wednesday, January 26, you can view the recording, here. The town hall provided information about the Omicron variant, COVID-19 boosters, and keeping schools safe.

A Conversation with Dr. Barbara Ferrer and Dr. Muntu Davis

Join us today, Friday, January 28 at 5PM for a conversation with Dr. Ferrer and Dr. Davis. They will discuss the state of the pandemic, how community partners serve as the backbone of the County response, and ways to continue to build towards a more equitable recovery.

To join the event, click here.

To submit questions, click here.

Need a COVID-19 Vaccine Presentation?

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers an array of presentations, including COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. If you would like to schedule a presentation for your organization, click here.

SPA 5 & 6 RESOURCES

Covered California

Covered California’s open-enrollment period runs through January 31, 2022 — unlike the federal deadline, which is January 15 for states that use healthcare.gov. Consumers who sign up after December 31 will have their coverage start on February 1.

Covered California’s online enrollment portal and certified enrollers will also help people find out whether they are eligible for Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal enrollment is available year-round, and the coverage will begin the day after a person signs up. In addition, people can apply for Medi-Cal online or by picking up an application at one of the many county resource centers throughout the region.

Consumers can also call Covered California at (800) 300-1506 and get information or enroll by phone.

To learn more, click here.