MPX Rates Slow, COVID-19 Remains High; Vaccines Steadily Continue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 22, 2022
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Los Angeles — Today, St. John’s Community Health reported that monkeypox (MPX) rates have slowed, with only 30 total confirmed cases so far at their clinics. The public health network attributes the slowing of transmission rates to continued vaccination, prevention strategies, community engagement, and efficient mobilization of resources and information.
However, St. John’s knows the fight to contain MPX is not over. To date, the organization has vaccinated close to 9,000 people – many through events at LGBTQ+ bars, community spaces, and events – and is continuing to build infrastructure and forge partnerships with other organizations to ensure the public is informed and protected from the virus.
St. John’s clinics are also testing about 100 people per day for COVID-19, with positivity rates reaching up to 27 percent in the last week. They also gave out around 2,000 at-home rapid test kits last week, but their supply will soon run out due to a stop in federal funding. Meanwhile, they are administering around 150 COVID-19 vaccines per day.
“We must be clear – the slowdown in MPX transmission is not a coincidence, but rather due to continued outreach and education by public health officials, mobilization from within the LGBTQ+ community, and increased communication between sexual partners,” said Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Community Health. “We are very much still dealing with two infectious public health crises, and will continue working to reach those who face the greatest barriers to health care.”