Five additional COVID-19 related deaths were reported at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital over the holiday weekend.

The new deaths, which took place between Friday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec, 26, bring the total number of coronavirus-related deaths at the local hospital to 195 since March of 2020.

While the sudden spike in deaths is unusual, hospitalizations due to coronavirus remain low, with only 20 patients in the hospital as of Sunday.

Of all those who have been hospitalized, 1,708 patients who have been hospitalized at Henry Mayo have been successfully treated and able to be discharged and return home, a promising number compared to the relatively low death count for the local health care center.

As of Sunday, throughout the entire Los Angeles County only 849 people were hospitalized due to coronavirus, compared to a sobering 6,815 people on the same day in 2020, when one person in Los Angeles County dies of COVID-19 every 10 minutes, according to Health officials at the time

“Although hospitalizations and deaths remain relatively stable at this time, these are both known to be lagging indicators because most people don’t experience severe illness until a few days after testing positive,” cautioned Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of L.A. County Public Health on Wednesday. “While many will be protected against the most severe illness from Omicron because they are fully vaccinated and boosted where eligible, very high case numbers can easily cause significant stress to the health care system if even a small percentage of those infected require hospital care.”

See Related: California Health Workers Required To Get COVID-19 Booster Shots By February

Anyone five years and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Appointments are not needed at all Public Health vaccination sites where first, second and third doses are available.

To find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit the English website and the Spanish website here (Español). If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound.

COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website.

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