The positive rate among LA County homeless people is less than 2%. In general, the county’s most recent test positivity rate is now 6.6%, although it has moved closer to 10% in the past.
A senior health official says fears of a rapid spread among shelters and people living on the streets have not been realized.
A leading homeless lawyer believes the lower rates are because most of the county’s homeless live outside.
Meanwhile, government Gavin News says it will spend $ 600 million to convert California hotel and apartment buildings into permanent support for homeless residents.
Dr. E. Anthony Cardillo, an ER expert and CEO of Mend Urgent Care, questioned whether the region’s homeless population is being tested for confidence at a rate of 2%.
“If you test one million people you can get an accurate 10% infection rate,” Cardillo said. “But if you just look at a number of homeless people, that number can be artificially depressing.”
However, he added, the homeless population remains highly susceptible to the virus.
“I would be concerned about this because these are extremely vulnerable people who do not have access to medical care like everyone else. They are living in a situation that makes it difficult to fight any infection. They are a big disadvantage.”
The Associated Press contributes to this report.
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