Numbers of COVID infections in Los Angeles County are increasing
Time to Read: 2 minute
According to public health data, this week there was a daily average of 512 new COVID infections and an average of 422 hospitalizations; people at risk are asked to take precautionary measures to avoid infections
Health officials reported the increase in the number of COVID infections in Los Angeles County, so they warned people at risk to take the necessary precautions.
This Thursday, 330 residents were hospitalized due to the coronavirus, but according to data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, there is a daily average of 512 new cases and 422 patients requiring hospital care.
COVID-19 Weekly Update:
— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) August 24, 2023
Data reported: August 24, 2023
Daily average cases: 512
Daily average deaths: 1.7
Daily average COVID+ Hospitalizations: 422 pic.twitter.com/ iWYROfMAZc
The concern of health officials is due to the risk that a triple epidemic could occur, when COVID is combined with possible cases of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
Health authorities said they have already seen some precautions, such as wearing masks, being taken in some places as a result of recent outbreaks.< /p>
Some doctors have reported a significant increase in patients in their offices.
“COVID has not gone anywhere. We are seeing another rally right now. It almost feels like an upgrade from my perspective where I work,” Dr. David Bronstein, a pediatric respiratory specialist at Kaiser Permanente in Antelope Valley, told ABC.
Bronstein mentioned that the upward trend is very likely to continue, and that a triple epidemic could also occur.
This week, Los Angeles County health authorities reported 88 active outbreaks of COVID, 14 of them in workplaces.
Although the number of 330 residents hospitalized for coronavirus may be low, specialists highlighted a steady increase in infections in the last six weeks.
In August, public health data shows that older residents are at greater risk. People aged 80 and older are five times more likely to be hospitalized for the disease than people aged 50 to 79.
Omicron's newest variant, EG.5, known as Eris, is the one that begins to present more cases in California and so far represents about 12% of the cases.
Currently, the predominant subvariant is XBB.1.5, called Kraken.
Health authorities have advised people who are at higher risk of a difficult disease to take appropriate precautions, such as the use of masks.
Residents most at risk include the elderly, those with weakened immune systems and chronic health conditions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials hope to roll out a new COVID vaccine sometime in September or early October, and one that covers the most recent coronavirus subvariants.
Updated vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax could be available later this fall.