LOS ANGELES (KNX) — The BA.2 COVID subvariant increasing in Los Angeles County, health officials said Thursday, explaining that the virus accounted for 32% of all specimens sequenced for the weekend ending in March 12 — double that of the prior week.
"Residents should continue to follow all safety protections, especially residents and workers at elevated risk of severe illness," Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said, urging Angelenos to mask up when in crowded areas as the BA.2 subvariant increases not only in L.A., but around the world.
Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that BA.2. cases accounted for 86% of sequenced cases worldwide over the last few weeks.
This week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that BA.2 is now the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for approximately 55% of sequenced cases for the week ending on March 26.
Locally, there are no major increases in hospitalizations, despite the increase in BA.2 cases.
Regardless, health officials said it is important to take steps like vaccination and boosters to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As of Sunday, 83% of Angelenos ages five and older had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 75% were fully vaccinated, and 57% of eligible residents ages 12 and older had received a booster dose.
"This leaves about 2.6 million booster-dose eligible residents not benefiting from the extra protection of a booster dose," health officials said. "And 1.7 million eligible residents needing to get their first vaccination."
To learn more about getting your COVID-19 vaccination or booster, click here. To stock up on over-the-counter COVID test kits that you can administer at home, click here.
Thursday, Public Health officials announced 784 new positive cases of COVID-19 in L.A. County, 16 new deaths and said 308 people with the virus are currently hospitalized.
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