State and local health officials are witnessing a resurgence in COVID-19 transmission and a surge in the number of COVID-positive patients in hospitals after a prolonged period of declining numbers.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported a fifth consecutive week of increased COVID-19 transmission. The department recorded an average of 512 daily cases for the most recent available week, marking a nearly 35% uptick from the previous week.
The daily average death rate rose to 1.7, compared to 1 the previous week.
Health officials have pointed out that the majority of individuals who succumb to COVID-19 are elderly or have pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension.
According to county health officials, this increase in transmission could be attributed to several factors, including summer travel, school reopening, and the emergence of new COVID-19 variant strains.
Experts have emphasized that wastewater concentrations of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, offer a more comprehensive assessment of virus levels in the community. Data reveals that wastewater concentrations in LA County reached 28% of the winter peak of 2022-23 and have been steadily increasing since July 12, starting from 8% of the peak.
Based on the most recent COVID-19 variant sequencing in the county as of July 22, it was found that XBB.1.5 and EG.5 account for nearly equal proportions of COVID-19 cases, together constituting 31% of the total sequenced cases.
In Los Angeles County, approximately 98% of the currently circulating strains are descendants of Omicron XBB, including EG.5. The upcoming fall COVID-19 vaccine will target this strain. While BA.2.86 has not been detected in recently sampled sequences, it is under close monitoring due to its numerous mutations that may impact our immune response to an infection.
Health officials have also cautioned that residents of skilled nursing facilities are particularly vulnerable. This week, the number of new outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities increased to 39, up from 20 the previous week and 13 four weeks ago.
“In response to the escalating outbreaks, Public Health is working closely with local skilled nursing facilities to promote adequate cleaning, infection control, and ventilation in these facilities. We are also stressing the importance of staff and visitors staying home when they are sick,” officials stated.
Meanwhile, the latest update from the state health department revealed that there are 427 COVID-positive patients in LA County hospitals. While this number is higher than the early July count of below 150, it remains lower than the majority of figures seen since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
On a statewide level, the total number stands at 1,438, compared to 647 in early July.
It’s important to note that the data includes all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during their hospital stay. It does not necessarily indicate that they were admitted due to COVID-19 complications or experienced COVID-19 symptoms.
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