LOS ANGELES (KNX) — Declining COVID hospitalizations indicate that Los Angeles County is past the peak of Omicron variant transmission, but health experts say Angelenos are still not out of the woods when it comes to COVID-19.
While it is a good sign that a smaller portion of hospitalized COVID patients are needing critical care, the Department of Public Health said it’s concerning to learn that the virus’ spread has a “disproportionate effect among certain residents” in the last two months.
“Through Jan. 15, fully vaccinated and boosted individuals were 28 times less likely to be admitted to the ICU for COVID-19 than those unvaccinated,” the department said in a statement. “Showing that vaccines continue to provide the best protection against severe illness.”
Despite the lowering hospitalization rate, the county’s healthcare system remains strained as healthcare workers continue to test positive, contributing to the national shortage of healthcare workers.
A total of 1,559 COVID cases were among healthcare workers the week of Jan. 14, representing a nearly 18% increase compared to the 1,326 cases from the week prior.
Thursday health officials reported 26,010 new cases and 85 new deaths. More than 4,000 are currently hospitalized.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to those families who have lost a loved one to COVID-19,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health.
“While these declines give us cause for much welcomed hope, we should not take them as a sign to forgo the commonsense protective measures that helped to slow COVID-19 transmission in our county. Continuing these safety measures will drive down cases, which will ultimately end staffing shortages, reduce workplace and school outbreaks, and most importantly, keep residents from becoming seriously ill and dying.”
To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines in L.A. County, click here. To learn more about COVID testing and booking appointments, click here.
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