Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
ph.lacounty.gov/coronavirus
Reducing Risk Guidance (English) 1/19/22
COVID-19: Reducing Risk
Keeping Safe & Preventing Spread
for Close Contacts to COVID-19 The COVID-19 virus continues to spread in LA County.
The following information is to help people understand who is most at risk of getting infected and sick, which situations are riskier, and what steps they can take to stay safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
People who are not vaccinated are at the highest risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Unvaccinated adults who are older or who have certain medical conditions are at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease.
People who are fully vaccinated are well protected from getting very sick and dying from COVID-19. Some people who are vaccinated will get “breakthrough infections”, but this is less likely if they have received a booster dose.
Most people with breakthrough infections get mild symptoms, if any. But they can still spread the virus to other people. COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are strongly recommended for everyone age 12 and older. This is because the vaccines may become less effective over time, especially in people aged 65 and older.
People with severely weakened immune systems might not respond as well to the vaccine so may still be at increased risk of COVID-19, even after receiving additional doses of vaccine. Treatment to prevent COVID-19 is now available so people who are immunosuppressed are advised to talk to their doctor WHICH SITUATIONS ARE RISKIER?
Understanding how the COVID-19 virus is spread is important. It will help you to assess your risk and take steps to protect yourself in different situations.
The virus spreads from person to person mainly through respiratory droplets that are released into the air by a person who has COVID-19, for example, when they speak, sing, cough, shout, sneeze, or breathe heavily. These droplets are then breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. A person’s risk of getting infected goes up the closer they are to someone with COVID-19. Enclosed places with poor air flow can also increase the risk of getting infected. This is because the droplets that have the virus can concentrate and spread in the air past 6 feet. They can even stay floating in the air after an infected person has left the room.
This is why masks are important. They lower the number of respiratory droplets people release into the air AND also the number that they breathe in.
It is also possible, but less common, for the virus to spread by touching a surface with droplets on it and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
To learn about the rules that
must be followed in public
settings, including when you need
to wear a mask or show proof of
vaccination or a negative test, visit
the COVID-19 Prevention in Public
Settings webpage.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
publichealth.lacounty.gov/coronavirus
Reducing Risk Guidance (English) 1/19/22
HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF COVID-19
• Get vaccinated and get a booster when you are eligible. It is the best way to protect against COVID-19 (see Vaccination below).
• Wear a mask that fits and filters well. Your mask is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect yourself and other unvaccinated people. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask. See ph.lacounty.gov/masks for information on the different types of masks, when they need to be worn in Los Angeles County. • Avoid crowded places. Being in crowds, especially indoors, puts you at a higher risk. If you need to be indoors, try to go during non-peak hours and wear a more protective mask. Limit how long you are there. • Improve air flow. Go outside. Avoid indoor spaces with poor air flow as much as possible. Open windows and doors, use fans and portable air cleaners, run heating and air, and upgrade filters. (See CDC Improving Ventilation in Your Home.)
• Choose outdoor spaces for social and fitness activities. • Get a COVID-19 viral test before gathering indoors with others who are not in your household. This is most important if you will be with people who are at high risk of severe illness, especially if you are not fully vaccinated and boosted or have been in crowded indoor places in the past two weeks. Visit ph.lacounty.gov/ covidtests to learn more about when to get a test. • Keep your distance. Use two arms lengths as your guide (about 6 feet) for social distancing with people outside your household when you are not sure that they are vaccinated. • Socialize with the same set of friends and relatives rather than mixing with many different people who are not vaccinated.
• Be flexible. Be willing to change your plans or leave if you find yourself in a place where COVID-19 can spread more easily. For example, indoors in a loud crowded restaurant with a lot of people who are not wearing masks.
• Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer often - especially after being in public spaces where surfaces are touched by many people. Avoid eating and touching your face with unwashed hands.
There are certain places where COVID-19 spreads more easily • Closed spaces with poor air flow.
• Crowded places with many people nearby
• Close contact settings especially where people are talking (or breathing heavily) close together
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
publichealth.lacounty.gov/coronavirus
Reducing Risk Guidance (English) 1/19/22
• Stay home when sick. If you have symptoms1 of COVID-19, talk to a doctor, and get a test. You should stay home and away from others until you get the result of your COVID-19 test or until your provider tells you that you don’t have COVID19. To learn about symptoms and what to do if you are sick see ph.lacounty.gov/covidcare.
• Delay travel until you and the people you are traveling with are fully vaccinated. If you are due for your booster dose, get it at least a week before you travel for extra protection. Be sure to review and follow the CDC domestic and international travel guidance. See LAC DPH Travel Advisory and Guidance for more information.
VACCINATION
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. It will slow the spread of COVID-19 including variants of the virus.
• If you are already vaccinated, encourage your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to get vaccinated. This includes recommended additional doses or booster doses. See COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility: Primary, Additional & Booster Doses.
• If you are not yet fully vaccinated, consider getting vaccinated now. Vaccines are safe, effective, and free to everyone regardless of immigration status. Talk with your doctor about any concerns.
Vaccines are widely available across LA without an appointment. Visit www.VaccinateLACounty.com to find a location near you. Call 1-833-540-0473 if you need help making an appointment, need transportation to a vaccination site, or are homebound. Phone lines are open from 8am to 8:30pm 7 days a week. Information is also available in many languages 24/7 by calling 2-1-1. 1 Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus and may include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. This list does not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19. Some people with COVID-19 never get symptoms. Visit ph.lacounty.gov/covidcare to learn more about what to do if you are sick.