LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The number of COVID-19 positive patients at Los Angeles County hospitals dropped sharply, as the county recorded nearly 1,400 new infections and 21 new virus-related deaths in its latest data.
However, county health officials pointed to the rise of a new virus strain known as XBB.1.5, which is believed to be responsible for 40% of new cases nationally and 9% in California. The upward trend is expected to be mirrored soon among Los Angeles County cases, officials said.
“With XBB.1.5 increasing across the country, I want you to know that very soon we could see the new strain become more dominant here in Los Angeles County,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. last week. “I hope everyone takes steps to help minimize the impact, especially knowing that it will be felt most by those vulnerable to serious illness.
“Every day I see examples of how people in Los Angeles County care about each other and this is one more way to do it. We have learned a lot in recent years, and it is important that we all put the knowledge to use to help protect our community.”
COVID infection rates in the county have been declining in recent weeks, but health officials noted that a “significant number” of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths are still regularly reported.
According to state figures, there were 1,101 virus-positive patients at county hospitals as of Tuesday, up from 1,202 on Saturday. Of those patients, 136 were being treated in intensive care units, down slightly from 139 on Saturday.
The 1,383 new cases reported by the county on Tuesday brought the grand total for the entire pandemic to 3,653,463.
The official case numbers are believed to be undercounts of actual virus infections in the county due to the number of people who rely on home testing without reporting results to the county, and people who do not get tested at absolute.
The county reported 21 new virus-related deaths Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 34,888.
The seven-day average daily rate of people testing positive for the virus was 9% as of Tuesday, up from 11.4% a week ago.
Los Angeles County remains in the federal government’s “medium” transmission range. Masks are still required inside health care and congregate care facilities, for anyone exposed to the virus in the last 10 days, and in businesses where the owner requires them. Otherwise, they are strongly recommended for indoor settings only.
Health officials have been urging students and school staff and other workers to get tested for COVID-19 before returning to campuses and workplaces after the holidays, and to wear a mask for 10 days to help prevent the spread of the virus.
The seven-day average daily case count was 2,111 as of Friday, down 11% from the previous week. The average daily number of COVID-positive patients at county hospitals was 1,247 as of Friday, up from 1,207 the week before. The county is also reporting an average of 20 virus-related deaths per day, up from 16 the week before.
