LA County surge in COVID cases continues; 60 more Omicron infections confirmed

Los Angeles County’s melodramatic emergence successful COVID-19 infections continued connected Monday, Dec. 20, with much than 3,200 caller cases reported, on with 7 much deaths and 60 caller instances of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.

And the numbers are apt an under-reporting, owed to emblematic play accusation delays, according to the region Department of Public Health.

The region reported 3,258 caller COVID infections connected Monday, the 4th time successful a enactment the fig has topped 3,000. Since the pandemic began, a full of 1,567,133 cases person been confirmed successful the county.

The 7 caller deaths reported Monday lifted the county’s cumulative decease toll to 27,448.

According to authorities figures, determination were 741 COVID-positive patients successful Los Angeles County hospitals arsenic of Monday, down from 743 connected Sunday. There were 172 of those patients being treated successful intensive care, down from 180 a time earlier.

The 60 recently confirmed Omicron cases marked a large leap successful the county’s total, reflecting a inclination being seen crossed the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Monday that Omicron —which was archetypal detected successful South Africa and has rapidly dispersed globally — is present estimated to beryllium liable for 73% of COVID infections nationwide.

The region Department of Public Health reported Monday that COVID outbreaks accrued dramatically successful astir each sectors during the week that ended Friday — including a 118% leap successful the acquisition sector, 83% successful congregate lodging facilities and 24% astatine worksites and churches.

However, outbreaks really dropped by 11% astatine skilled nursing facilities, a statistic the region attributed to the precocious complaint of booster shots among unit and residents. According to the county, 84% of eligible nursing installation residents successful the region person received booster shots, and 50% of eligible staff.

“Evidence is mounting that for those vaccinated months ago, boosters are indispensable to supply the champion defence from corruption with and transmission of the Omicron variant,” region Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said successful a statement. “Vaccinations besides proceed to supply fantabulous extortion from the Delta variant. The wide uptake of booster shots astatine skilled nursing facilities — a effect of aboriginal efforts to get booster doses to these highly susceptible individuals arsenic soon arsenic they became disposable — person helped support outbreaks astatine little numbers successful these settings.

“This aligns with different accusation gathered from astir the state demonstrating the powerfulness of boosters, and the value of getting boosted arsenic soon arsenic imaginable erstwhile eligible,” she said. “Given the rising lawsuit numbers, the precocious complaint of assemblage transmission and each the grounds that, implicit time, our immune systems request a boost to beryllium capable to onslaught the COVID virus, nary 1 eligible should hold getting their booster dose.”

According to region figures, arsenic of Dec. 12, 77.6% of eligible region residents aged 5 and older had received astatine slightest 1 dose of vaccine and 69% were afloat vaccinated.

More than 1.8 cardinal booster doses person been administered successful the county.

Ferrer said past week determination is nary grounds to suggest the Omicron variant causes much terrible symptoms than erstwhile versions, but it is much transmissible than different variants and volition circulate much wide successful the region — peculiarly with upcoming vacation travel.