A number of factors account for this dramatic turn around, but none more powerful than the role of vaccination. It is for this reason that mortality rates declined more precipitously than did case rates.  However, mortality rates have been flat – low at 0.04 per 100,000 – but still flat for the past three weeks.

With vaccination as our best and most effective preventive measure, then it is here that our public health officials need to focus their efforts.  There remains a significant disparity in vaccination rates, with Latinx and African-American residents under the age of 65 less likely to be vaccinated.  Over 75% of White and Asian residents over the age of 65 have been vaccinated, compared to 63% and 66% of African-American and Latinx residents. This difference is even more marked among those under the age of 65. Whereas 70% and 62% of Asian and Caucasians have been vaccinated, these drop to 39% and 44% for African-American and Latinx individuals (source:  http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/vaccine/vaccine-dashboard.htm#selectcity).