L.A. County: Almost 45,000 New Cases Recorded Over the Holiday Weekend

LA County continues to urge residents to curtail higher-risk activities, as large numbers of residents are testing positive for COVID-19.  Indoor activities where individuals are unmasked for long periods of time, as well as crowded outdoor events, increase the risk that infected individuals will transmit both Omicron and Delta variants to others.

By News Desk

Even with the holiday reporting delays, on Saturday, LA County reported 23,553 new cases, and on Sunday, an additional 21,200 individuals had positive test results.  Hospitalizations have risen to 1,628, and over 20% of those getting tested are positive for COVID.

“Our hearts remain with those families experiencing the sorrow of losing those they love to COVID,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We hope that by working together to implement essential public health safety measures, we can stay safe, protect those we love, and keep our schools and businesses open.  During this surge, given the spread of a more infectious strain of the virus, lapses can lead to explosive transmission.  Well-fitting and high-quality masks are an essential layer of protection when people are in close contact with others, especially when indoors or in outdoor crowded spaces where distancing is not possible. Although masks can be annoying and even uncomfortable for some, given that many infected individuals are spreading COVID 1 -2 days before they are symptomatic, the physical barrier tendered by a mask is known to reduce the spread of virus particles.”