The increase in cases has been blamed on rising spread of the infectious BA.2 subvariant of the virus. BA.2 is an offshoot of the Omicron variant that fueled a winter surge in infections.
County health officials noted that the average daily rate of people testing positive for the virus remains relatively low, at 1% as of Monday, but the rate has ticked up slightly over the past week. Also still low are the number of COVID-19-positive patients in county hospitals — 265 according to state figures, including 38 being treated in intensive care.
But officials noted that traditionally during the pandemic, increases in hospitalizations tend to come within weeks of a rise in infection numbers, followed by an increase in deaths. That pattern is already being seen in other parts of the country, including New York City. Philadelphia health officials announced this week they were reinstating an indoor mask-wearing mandate due to rising COVID numbers.
“The evidence is becoming clearer that given the current approved vaccines and the reality of a mutating virus, some of us will need to boost our immune systems a couple of times during the year in order to be optimally protected,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “This includes those infected with Omicron over the winter, since natural immunity against SARS-CoV-2 also wanes over time.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hundreds protest COVID vaccine mandates at downtown LA rallyMore than 1,000 people spent Sunday protesting in front of Los Angeles City Hall against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Read more »
Hundreds Protest COVID Vaccine Mandates at Downtown LA RallyThe Grand Park event featured various booths selling black T-shirts criticizing President Joe Biden that read 'Let's Go Brandon' and 'Traitor Joe's,' as well as people wearing red 'Trump 2024' hats.
Read more »
Seeing some relief at the pumps: LA County gas prices drop for 12th straight dayThe average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in L.A. County decreased for the 12th consecutive day Saturday, dropping 1.8 cents to $5.873.
Read more »
LA County gas prices drop for 14th straight day; now $5.86 a gallonGAS PRICES: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in L.A. County decreased for the 14th consecutive day Monday, dropping a half-cent to $5.862.
Read more »
L.A. County bans official travel to Texas, Florida over LGBT policiesThe Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has banned official travel to Texas or Florida because of policies in those states that have been slammed as anti-LGBT.
Read more »
LA County Sheriff's Deputy Suspected of Child Sex AbuseAuthorities say a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been arrested on suspicion of child sex abuse. The department said Friday that the 51-year-old deputy could face charges including lewd or lascivious acts and committing oral copulation with a child under the age of 14.
Read more »