Covid outbreaks hit film studios, Los Angeles County – deadline

Over the past few months, the entertainment industry has been one of the most affected – if not the most affected – sectors in Los Angeles, consistently recording the highest number Coronavirus covid infection outbreaks in the county.

Now that the studios are set up return to work for employees, at least three lots are watching significant outbreaks, with other clusters headquartered in the studio, TV, production and art scene. Overall, they make up about 18% of the total number of currently recorded non-medical outbreaks at businesses in the county, according to officials.

The good news is that this percentage has actually dropped compared to last month, when the entertainment industry accounted for 20% of outbreaks. The bad news is that the total number of infections it represents is much higher. In fact, last week there were 108 clusters in all workplaces, and this week the total jumped to 140 according to the county.

According to a briefing from the county health department, the number of cases in Los Angeles is growing, the average number of infections per day is about 2,400. Over the past week, this figure has increased by 20%, which is typical of the figure averaged over seven days to smooth out temporary fluctuations.

On top list outbreaks related to show business Lionsgate. This week, its headquarters in Santa Monica shows 21 cases. This puts it in second place in the county in the number of infected employees after the manufacturer of campers and vans in Lancaster. Late last month at Lionsgate was a cluster of 6 infections.

A source familiar with the situation told Deadline that 12 of those 21 cases at Lionsgate were among employees returning from CinemaCon in Las Vegas. It is said that the company has mandatory vaccinations for employees and requires face masks in the office when there are active cases.

In a weekly briefing on Los Angeles County’s Covid status last month, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted that while the entertainment industry as a whole is skewed higher than other sectors, it could be because film and television are doing something right. and not something is wrong.

“This may be due to the overall increase in cases as we have seen in the community, as well as the extensive survey protocols maintained in the industry,” Ferrer noted.

One lot that has been affected by the outbreak recently includes Sony, which was included in the county list several times during the pandemic. In August 2021, Sony saw cluster of the three cases. Last month were there three separate outbreaks on the lot, for a total of 15 infections. This week, Culver City Studios reported two clusters, a total of nine cases.

The county’s current flash list contains a record for Fox Entertainment – Television Production with five registered cases. Back in January, Fox seen more than a dozen infections at Fox Sports and Fox Sports Deportes in West Los Angeles

See the full list of current, recorded clusters of the Covid entertainment industry below.

Burbank Studio 5 cases

Dorothy Chandler’s Pavilion 9 cases

Fox Entertainment – Television production 5 cases

Lionsgate Entertainment 21 cases

Sony Pictures Studios – stage 24 4 cases

Sony Pictures Studios – Bowtruss Bldg. 5 cases

Universal Studios Hollywood – Lot Bldg. 4407 3 cases

Universal Studios Hollywood – trailer for lot P526 5 cases

Warner Bros.. Studios – building. 128 5 cases

Warner Bros. Studios – stages 27 and 29 5 cases