City Reports COVID-19 Surge, Urges Healthcare Workers to Mask Up, Get Vaccinated Around Vulnerable Populations

On Monday the Pasadena Public Health Department issued a fresh call for healthcare workers to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and reminded them that they are still required to wear masks in healthcare and direct care settings. This comes after Pasadena documented a surge in local COVID-19 cases, with a 35% increase in weekly cases over the last month, according to the Department.

“We know this is an underestimate of cases because of the widespread adoption of at-home antigen tests, which do not require reporting to the public health department,” a City-released statement read. “Additionally, the COVID-19 test positivity rate in Los Angeles County increased from 5.5% to 7.6% this week. [This is] a spike from previously stable rates this year.”

The number of hospitalized COVID-19-confirmed patients in Los Angeles County increased over the last couple weeks of July after decreasing in June and the first part of July. As a lagging indicator, this recent increase suggests “we could be heading to a more worrisome surge in the upcoming weeks,” the statement said.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus poses a particular risk to the health of medically vulnerable residents in healthcare and long-term care facilities, which establishes a need for more protective measures within healthcare settings. 

Pasadena has a higher per capita population residing in long-term care settings compared to the rest of Los Angeles County.

 “Protecting the health of those at greatest risk for severe illness remains a priority in Pasadena,” said Acting Public Health Director Manuel Carmona. “Vaccination and masking requirements effectively reduce infection rates and protect at-risk individuals from COVID-19-related complications.”

PPHD encourages all Pasadena residents to stay up to date on vaccines and boosters, test for COVID-19 after traveling, stay home when sick, and seek available COVID-19 treatments. 

The Pasadena Public Health Department continues to offer free COVID-19 bivalent vaccines on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 4:30 p.m. The bivalent vaccine is effective in decreasing the spread of COVID-19, preventing severe illness, and reducing hospitalizations and deaths. Walk-ins are welcome or schedule an appointment at MyTurn.ca.gov.