Two weeks ago, on Dec. 15, there were 1,850 new cases and 751 hospitalizations. There have not been over 1,000 hospitalizations because of COVID-19 since Sept. 20.
On Dec. 23, the Department of Public Health reported 8,633. Now, the agency reported 16,510, one of the highest daily case counts of the pandemic. Within nearly a week, test positivity rates have also doubled from 8.7% to 17.6% and hospitalizations are up 30% with 1,069. The county also reported 25 new deaths, 21 of whom had underlying conditions. The vast majority of the newly reported deaths were above 50 years old. Only one of the reported deaths was between the age of 30-49.
The Delta and Omicron variants of the virus have fueled this surge in cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised their estimates on variant prevalence and determined that Omicron accounts for 59% — and Delta 41% — of all cases in the country since Christmas.“I send my heartfelt condolences to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one to COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health.
Officials recommended residents adjust their New Year’s plans by only gathering with a “very small number of people” all of whom should be “fully vaccinated and boosted if eligible.” “As we get ready to welcome the new year, this includes re-thinking party plans, limiting time indoors with non-household members, and isolating from others if feeling sick,” said. Ferrer. “And always wear a medical grade mask when in close contact with others outside your household.”
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.
As COVID Cases Surge Statewide, Testing Remains Sparse In Dallas County JailWhen Timothy Gutierrez felt a runny nose and sinus congestion coming on about a week ago, he was sure it was COVID-19. Gutierrez, who has been held in Dallas County Jail since mid-November on an alleged probation violation stemming from a previous drug-related charge, noticed many of the inmates coughing and...
Read more »
COVID hospitalizations in Los Angeles County top 1,000 as omicron cases surgeAmid the spread of the omicron variant, unvaccinated people are 21 times more likely to be hospitalized than vaccinated people, the county's health director said.
Read more »
County Announces Over 7,000 New COVID-19 CasesCases among hospital workers are rising, leading to staffing shortages at almost half of the County's hospitals.
Read more »
Contra Costa County requiring facemasks indoors as COVID cases soarAs the omicron variant continues circulating around the Bay Area, Contra Costa County will soon require that masks be worn in all public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
Read more »
Huron County Public Health distributing free at-home COVID-19 test kits on Dec. 29Huron County Public Health will be distributing at-home COVID-19 test kits during a distribution event on Wednesday, Dec. 29.
Read more »
Lebanon County Commissioner William Ames dies at 81 of Covid-19 complicationsAmes was in the middle of third four-year term in office. The Republican commissioner died on Tuesday morning at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Read more »