Using data from the Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles Times reported that 490 businesses are under investigation for outbreaks, up from 173 a month ago.
Six outbreaks have been reported to the county in Food 4 Less locations since the beginning of the pandemic, three of which were first recorded this month. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases among staff over a two-week period.
There were also new outbreaks reported in December at three Trader Joe’s locations, two Whole Foods locations and three branches of Sprouts Farmers Market.
An analysis by the LA Times also found a jump in outbreaks this month to other key companies that remained open during the pandemic, including banks, pharmacies and hardware stores.
LA County goes through 600,000 cases, 8,800 deaths in the fastest accelerating phase of the pandemic
Outbreaks occur as the region sees unprecedented rates of coronavirus infection, marked by a pandemic discovery with the launch of vaccines.
Once these groups have been vaccinated, priority will be given to intermediate care and home health care workers, community health workers, public health staff and primary care workers, correctional facilities and emergency care clinics. Laboratory techniques, dental workers and pharmacy staff will continue to be.
After that, the priority will move to people aged 75 and over, along with key workers, including first responders, teachers, school staff, day care workers, manufacturing workers, correctional staff, postal workers, public transport, agricultural workers. and food and grocery store workers.
It is followed by people aged 65 and over, along with people aged 16 and over who have significant underlying health conditions, which puts them at a higher risk of severe illness.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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