LOS ANGELES — COVID-19 cases continued to rise in Los Angeles County, with health officials reporting an alarming rise in the test positivity rate Tuesday — which they say has more than tripled since mid-December.
"Today, L.A. County reported continued high case numbers along with rising hospitalizations," the Department of Public Health said in a statement, saying that the increase in test positivity indicates "surging transmission across the county."
Unfortunately, health officials said the surge means that even those who are vaccinated and boosted can become infected and infect others.
"While the hope is that Omicron [variant] symptoms are milder, the current rise in hospitalizations is a cause for concern," health officials continued.
"Hospitalizations have increased by 30% since last Tuesday; the alarming rise in hospitalizations follows an alarming increase in cases last week."
As of Tuesday, there are 9,473 new cases of COVID-19 in the county, with 22 more deaths reported and 966 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19.
To date, more than 9.9 million people in the county have been tested, with 15% of tests coming back positive for the virus.
Photo credit Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
“As we approach the new year, with the staggering reality that over 27,000 LA County residents have lost their lives to Omicron, we extend our thoughts and prayers to those who have lost their love ones," Barbara Ferrer, the director of Public Health said in a statement Tuesday.
“While we all wish that 2022 would begin without the continued tragedy of serious illness and death associated with COVID, we are instead facing the prospect of an alarming surge that requires every person to act with intentionality: get vaccinated and boosted, get tested, and please, always wear a mask around others. These are the tools we have to try to keep each other safe over the holidays.”
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Related
Related
