A ‘very different January’: L.A. County drops to low COVID community level
1 year, 11 months ago

A ‘very different January’: L.A. County drops to low COVID community level

LA Times  

A pooled coronavirus testing area is seen at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 2. “We’re not seeing the post-holiday spike that was expected by the end of the first week in January,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday. On a per capita basis, that’s 76 cases a week for every 100,000 residents — a rate that’s considered “substantial” but no longer “high.” It’s the first time since mid-November the case rate in L.A. County has dropped from the “high” rate. “And for that, I’m grateful.” Moving into the low community level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “is significant, and it reflects reduced risk,” she continued, “but it doesn’t mean no risk.” The low COVID-19 community level indicates that the burden of the pandemic on hospitals is relatively mild. L.A. County was one of 14 California counties to transition into the low COVID-19 community level Thursday.

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History of this topic

COVID-19 cases rising again in California
4 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID-19 cases rising again in California

China Daily  

California is experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, with recent data indicating a sharp increase in the levels of coronavirus in wastewater across the state. For the seven-day period ending July 20, the wastewater levels were at 93 percent of the peak in the summer of 2022 and have already surpassed last summer's peak. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious …

COVID in California keeps rising: Wastewater levels worse than last summer
5 months ago

COVID in California keeps rising: Wastewater levels worse than last summer

LA Times  

Across the nation, COVID-19’s shadow has become more pronounced lately, with the usual seasonal uptick in travel and socialization spawning a fresh spate of infections. Coronavirus levels in California’s wastewater now exceed last summer’s peak, an indication of the rapid spread of the super-contagious new FLiRT strains. For the week that ended July 14, L.A. County reported that 2.8% of …

COVID cases keep rising in L.A. County due to FLiRT; Mayor Karen Bass tests positive
5 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID cases keep rising in L.A. County due to FLiRT; Mayor Karen Bass tests positive

LA Times  

Despite a recent increase in coronavirus cases, fewer people are masking now — including most of these guests at UCLA’s graduation in June. The latest count shows the most new coronavirus cases per day since February’s tally, as the virus’ winter peak was trending down. For the week that ended June 22, there were an average of 153 patients in …

Summer COVID bump intensifies in L.A. and California, fueled by FLiRT variants
6 months ago

Summer COVID bump intensifies in L.A. and California, fueled by FLiRT variants

LA Times  

A group of mostly skateboarders ride along the boardwalk during a meetup with Vibe Ride LA on May 21 in Santa Monica. The California Department of Public Health in June updated its guidance for older adults, “especially those with weakened immune systems.” Officials urged older people to stay up to date on vaccines, seek medication if sickened with COVID, and …

L.A. County COVID cases, hospitalizations rise amid FLiRT variants summer uptick
6 months, 1 week ago

L.A. County COVID cases, hospitalizations rise amid FLiRT variants summer uptick

LA Times  

Some people wear masks at commencement ceremonies at UCLA. If positive, it’s likely you’re more likely to infect others Keep your distance from other people Increase air circulation by opening windows, turn on air purifiers and gather outdoors if meeting with people Stick with enhanced hygiene — washing and sanitizing hands often, cleaning high-touch surfaces and covering coughs and sneezes …

COVID cases rising in L.A. County and California as new subvariants make mark
6 months, 1 week ago

COVID cases rising in L.A. County and California as new subvariants make mark

LA Times  

Travelers and airline crew members at Los Angeles International Airport in May. This one “started a little bit earlier, so it may crest a little earlier, and oftentimes we don’t see those hospitalized cases until a little further in.” COVID levels also are rising in wastewater. But with only 36% of California’s seniors having received any COVID shots since September, …

One-two punch of COVID and flu is hitting L.A. County hard
11 months, 1 week ago

One-two punch of COVID and flu is hitting L.A. County hard

LA Times  

Coronavirus levels are high and rising throughout California amid a post-holiday spike in infections. “We are seeing some increases in COVID-19 activity, especially often after the travel and gatherings of the holiday season.” California COVID-19 intensifies across California, with the worst probably still to come New data show pronounced recent jumps in the rate at which coronavirus and flu tests …

COVID-19 intensifies across California, with the worst probably still to come
11 months, 2 weeks ago

COVID-19 intensifies across California, with the worst probably still to come

LA Times  

The winter COVID-and-flu season is ramping up in California and nationwide, with doctors and other experts saying the worst of the respiratory illness season is still to come. “And we’re probably not quite to the zenith of it yet,” said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “Looking at some of the data that …

COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across California as summer illnesses worsen
1 year, 3 months ago

COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across California as summer illnesses worsen

LA Times  

The summer COVID bump is worsening in California, with infections spreading at schools and workplaces, and hospitalizations ticking up. Among the work sites in L.A. County where there are active COVID-19 outbreak investigations are the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, CBS Studio Center Stage 18, the L.A. City Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Street Services, the Westchester-Loyola Village Branch …

‘The pandemic isn’t over.’ Coronavirus cases in L.A. County keep rising
1 year, 3 months ago

‘The pandemic isn’t over.’ Coronavirus cases in L.A. County keep rising

LA Times  

Experts say travel, the back-to-school season and new Omicron subvariants are the likely reasons why coronavirus cases are continuing to rise locally and across the nation. New outbreaks have been reported in Los Angeles County’s nursing homes, and one Hollywood studio temporarily imposed a mask mandate after several employees were infected. “While hospitalizations are increasing, the current levels are still …

COVID-19 is ‘heating up all around’ this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?
1 year, 4 months ago

COVID-19 is ‘heating up all around’ this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?

LA Times  

The uptick in coronavirus transmission this summer has not brought major alarm from health experts. There are people who may want to avoid contracting COVID-19 “because it’s disruptive to life.” Chin-Hong said he’s aware of people who’ve had to change big travel plans to Europe and Africa because of illness. And even if you don’t choose to mask up, “definitely …

California’s COVID-19 hospitalizations are near historic lows. Will the lull last?
1 year, 5 months ago

California’s COVID-19 hospitalizations are near historic lows. Will the lull last?

LA Times  

COVID-19 hospitalizations are close to record lows in California, an optimistic sign as the state attempts to navigate its first surge-free summer of the coronavirus era. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious-disease expert, said he suspects that signs of an increase in coronavirus transmission are probably real in some locations, although “it’s not at a high level yet. …

How much COVID is in my community? It’s getting harder to tell
1 year, 7 months ago

How much COVID is in my community? It’s getting harder to tell

LA Times  

Bianca Povalitis, center, along with fellow roller skaters enjoy an evening at Venice Beach Skate Plaza in June 2022. But dwindling data make it more difficult to assess the virus’ trajectory in specific areas and for people to adjust their attitudes and behaviors accordingly — a potentially unsettling development for those who remain most at risk of falling seriously ill. …

California COVID-19 rules ease as emergency declarations end. Here’s what’s changed
1 year, 8 months ago

California COVID-19 rules ease as emergency declarations end. Here’s what’s changed

LA Times  

Shoppers, some wearing masks, make their way along Santee Alley in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2022. “With the rescinding of many emergency orders these past weeks, there are questions about which sensible protections remain important to consider,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “Given the differing risks both by setting and by individual characteristics, the goals of …

End of an era: L.A. County lifts COVID-19 emergency
1 year, 8 months ago

End of an era: L.A. County lifts COVID-19 emergency

LA Times  

Los Angeles County is officially ending its COVID-19 emergency declaration Friday, a milestone that comes as the region’s coronavirus case rate has fallen to its lowest level since summer 2021. L.A. County has been one of the hardest-hit parts of California — so much so that the National Guard had to transport corpses from overwhelmed hospital morgues during the pandemic’s …

California to alter COVID rules in healthcare settings: Masks and vaccinations not required
1 year, 9 months ago

California to alter COVID rules in healthcare settings: Masks and vaccinations not required

LA Times  

Jazmin Escamilla takes blood samples Dec. 19 in the ambulance bay outside the emergency department at MLK Community Hospital in Los Angeles. With the COVID-19 state of emergency a thing of the past, California health officials on Friday unveiled plans to relax guidance on masking in high-risk settings and to end vaccination requirements for healthcare workers. California L.A. County’s COVID-19 …

COVID-19 deaths top 100,000 in California: ‘Nobody ... anticipated this toll’
1 year, 10 months ago

COVID-19 deaths top 100,000 in California: ‘Nobody ... anticipated this toll’

LA Times  

It was three years ago this month that California documented its first known victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The heartache of having so many people die weighs heavily on all of us here at public health,” Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “Both perspectives are understandable because the risk of getting sick, the risk of having severe …

Has California avoided another devastating winter COVID wave?
1 year, 11 months ago

Has California avoided another devastating winter COVID wave?

LA Times  

Shoppers, some wearing masks, made their way along Santee Alley in Los Angeles in December. “I never say we’re in the clear, because there’s still people for whom COVID is going to remain a really big concern, and they’re going to continue to need to do everything they can to avoid getting infected,” Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara …

L.A. County COVID-19 deaths hit a new winter high. Why?
1 year, 11 months ago

L.A. County COVID-19 deaths hit a new winter high. Why?

LA Times  

Claire Altieri sets up a testing site for coronavirus variants at Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday. “Deaths are high, and it’s really upsetting,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday. COVID-19 “did seem relatively flat over the holidays,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said during a webinar Tuesday, and officials are hopeful …

Will XBB.1.5, the latest Omicron subvariant, fuel another California COVID surge? What we know
1 year, 11 months ago

Will XBB.1.5, the latest Omicron subvariant, fuel another California COVID surge? What we know

LA Times  

A traveler arrives inside Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Monday. XBB.1.5 “is the most transmissible subvariant that has been detected yet,” said Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead on COVID-19. “We can’t attribute the increase in hospitalizations to XBB.1.5 yet, but we are working with U.S. CDC colleagues …

California hospitals still stressed as flu, RSV, COVID remain at high levels
1 year, 11 months ago

California hospitals still stressed as flu, RSV, COVID remain at high levels

LA Times  

The start of the year is bringing with it a mild reprieve in the so-called tripledemic, but some Southern California hospitals remain stressed by the still-high circulation of flu, COVID-19 and RSV. “Currently, the Fresno County hospital system is severely impacted by hospital overcrowding and operating significantly above normal and safe capacity,” the Fresno County staff wrote in a board …

Workers in L.A. County should wear masks indoors to prevent COVID surge, officials say
1 year, 11 months ago

Workers in L.A. County should wear masks indoors to prevent COVID surge, officials say

LA Times  

Faced with the possibility of another COVID-19 surge stemming from parties and travel over the winter holiday season, Los Angeles County health officials are urging workers and students to wear masks in indoor public settings for at least 10 days once they return to work and school. “The holiday season by its very nature brings increased risk of exposure, including …

L.A. County coronavirus threat eases for now, but a second wave after Christmas possible
2 years ago

L.A. County coronavirus threat eases for now, but a second wave after Christmas possible

LA Times  

Coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County have stabilized, pushing off the prospect of a new indoor mask mandate shortly after New Year’s Day. Coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County have stabilized, pushing off the prospect of a new indoor mask mandate shortly after New Year’s Day, but a second wave associated with Christmas and other gatherings remains possible. On Thursday, …

‘A lot of viruses running around’: L.A. County hospital beds at lowest availability since pandemic began
2 years ago

‘A lot of viruses running around’: L.A. County hospital beds at lowest availability since pandemic began

LA Times  

Vivian Solorio sits with her son Samuel Avila, who is almost 3 months, in the Emergency Department of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in South Los Angeles on Friday. “It’s reasonable to speculate that part of the reason for the low number of available hospital beds is due to many patients seeking care that may have been delayed during …

COVID-19 cases are starting to drop in L.A. Will the decline last?
2 years ago

COVID-19 cases are starting to drop in L.A. Will the decline last?

LA Times  

Shoppers make their way along Santee Alley in Los Angeles on Dec. 6. “Almost three years into the pandemic, there could be a sense of resignation with the ebbs and flow of transmission,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a recent briefing. L.A. County’s weekly case rate last week reached a seasonal high of 272 for every …

L.A. County hits high COVID-19 community level, but mask mandate far from certain
2 years ago

L.A. County hits high COVID-19 community level, but mask mandate far from certain

LA Times  

Los Angeles County has again entered the high COVID-19 community level, further indication that the continuing spike in cases is starting to exert pressure on the region’s hospitals. L.A. County hasn’t been in the high COVID-19 community level since summer, the last time when it appeared a mask mandate might be imminent. The county’s move into the high COVID-19 community …

Dangerous weeks ahead in L.A. County as coronavirus suddenly surges. Here is why
2 years ago

Dangerous weeks ahead in L.A. County as coronavirus suddenly surges. Here is why

LA Times  

Commuters, some with face masks and some without, walk through Los Angeles Union Station on Tuesday. “People came back from Thanksgiving and pretty quickly were testing positive,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. Dr. Sara Cody, the county’s public health director, warned that this winter is shaping up to be “extraordinarily difficult,” pointing to sewage data suggesting coronavirus levels …

California senior citizens are hit hard as COVID-19 surges this winter
2 years ago

California senior citizens are hit hard as COVID-19 surges this winter

LA Times  

Dr. Janina Lord Morrison, chief physician for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, visits a home to administer COVID-19 boosters. On Nov. 17, all but one of California’s 58 counties — Imperial — was in the low COVID-19 community level as defined by the CDC, which measures case and hospitalization rates. Los Angeles and Orange are among 27 …

‘Off the charts’: California hit with very high flu activity, among worst in U.S.
2 years ago

‘Off the charts’: California hit with very high flu activity, among worst in U.S.

LA Times  

California is now reporting very high flu levels, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as the respiratory illness continues to surge nationwide. “This triple threat … has a lot of potential to cause there to be significant circulating illness and to strain our healthcare system — both in terms of the number of beds that are …

COVID-19 cases in most populous US county surge to highest levels: media
2 years ago

COVID-19 cases in most populous US county surge to highest levels: media

China Daily  

A Chevron gas station sign displays the price of gas next to a man doing COVID-19 testing on Sept 21, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. LOS ANGELES - COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States, have surged to highest levels since summer wave, local media reported on Thursday, citing official data. The US …

How close is L.A. County to a new COVID-19 mask mandate? Here is what we know
2 years ago

How close is L.A. County to a new COVID-19 mask mandate? Here is what we know

LA Times  

Michele Crossan, right, checks the temperature of Los Angeles County polling station staff members in Norwalk on Nov. 3. CASES: L.A. County’s coronavirus case rate has been increasing since late October and is now triple what it was in the autumn low. Should hospital measures worsen, L.A. County could be on track for the return of a mandatory mask mandate …

Orange County declares health emergency due to viruses
2 years, 1 month ago

Orange County declares health emergency due to viruses

Associated Press  

SANTA ANA, Calif. — A health emergency has been declared in Southern California’s Orange County due to rapidly spreading viral infections that are sending more children to the hospital, health officials said Tuesday. The county health officer issued the declaration Monday due to record numbers of pediatric hospitalizations and daily emergency room visits, the county’s health care agency said in …

Southern California braces for difficult flu season as cases rise after COVID lull
2 years, 2 months ago

Southern California braces for difficult flu season as cases rise after COVID lull

LA Times  

Officials generally recommend the flu vaccine for people 6 months and older. This year, officials are also suggesting those age 65 or older get turbocharged flu vaccines that are considered higher dose or “adjuvanted,” which helps trigger a stronger immune response. The current levels of flu activity are “much higher” compared to pre-pandemic years, the Los Angeles County Department of …

California enjoying ‘good COVID weather’ now. But a tough winter could be coming
2 years, 2 months ago

California enjoying ‘good COVID weather’ now. But a tough winter could be coming

LA Times  

Metro Chief Executive Stephanie Wiggins, left, and other passengers wear masks while inside a Metro train in August as it leaves the Expo/Crenshaw station in Los Angeles. “If our vaccinations don’t work, because we have a new variant or the new variant evades a lot of protections, you’re going to want to put your mask back on, because that’s going …

Californians working while sick with COVID-19, fooled by mild symptoms
2 years, 3 months ago

Californians working while sick with COVID-19, fooled by mild symptoms

LA Times  

Jeremy Oyague, a registered nurse with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, administers a COVID-19 booster at a vaccination clinic in Los Angeles. When case rates are at this level, “it’s still recommended to layer in precautions that we have all become familiar with during the pandemic, including masking indoors, staying home and getting tested when ill, making …

L.A. County drops out of high COVID-19 level as surge eases
2 years, 4 months ago

L.A. County drops out of high COVID-19 level as surge eases

LA Times  

People, many wearing masks, wait to buy tickets for the Mega Millions lottery at Bluebird Liquor on July 29 in Hawthorne. Los Angeles County officially moved out of the high COVID-19 community level Thursday as one top state health official expressed hope that California is at the end of the pandemic’s latest wave. “While we’re greatly encouraged by the decline …

L.A. County won’t impose new mask mandate as coronavirus cases decline
2 years, 4 months ago

L.A. County won’t impose new mask mandate as coronavirus cases decline

LA Times  

Los Angeles County will not reinstitute a universal indoor public mask mandate after marked improvements in the region’s coronavirus case and hospitalization rates. “We’re on a decline right now,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday. “It’s reasonable to assume that the recent decline we have seen in cases will lead to continued decreases in hospital admissions over …

L.A. County could avoid mask mandate this week as coronavirus cases decline
2 years, 4 months ago

L.A. County could avoid mask mandate this week as coronavirus cases decline

LA Times  

Shoppers make their way along Santee Alley in Los Angeles. As of Tuesday afternoon, L.A. County was averaging about 6,000 coronavirus cases a day over the previous week, down 11% from the prior week’s average of 6,700 cases a day. Ferrer had said L.A. County would reimpose an indoor mask mandate if it reached the high COVID-19 community level defined …

L.A. County coronavirus weekly death rate 70% higher than in Bay Area: Why so much worse?
2 years, 5 months ago

L.A. County coronavirus weekly death rate 70% higher than in Bay Area: Why so much worse?

LA Times  

Some shoppers wear masks, while others do not, at a very congested market on Santee Alley on July 14. L.A. County’s weekly COVID-19 death rate is significantly higher than that of the San Francisco Bay Area. In other words, L.A. County’s latest weekly COVID-19 death rate is more than 70% higher than the rate in the Bay Area. Since the …

L.A. County goes it alone in push for new coronavirus mask rules, igniting familiar debate
2 years, 5 months ago

L.A. County goes it alone in push for new coronavirus mask rules, igniting familiar debate

LA Times  

A masked traveler walks through the main lobby of Los Angeles’ Union Station on July 12. Sustained growth in coronavirus-positive hospitalizations has Los Angeles County on the brink of a new public indoor mask mandate, a move officials say could help curb still-widespread transmission, but it has raised some concerns among business groups and sparked questions about its necessity. Although …

Fueled by rapid reinfections, California’s soaring summer COVID wave could top winter surge
2 years, 5 months ago

Fueled by rapid reinfections, California’s soaring summer COVID wave could top winter surge

LA Times  

With sustained jumps in cases and hospitalizations fueled by the hyper-infectious BA.5 subvariant, this Santee Alley store is requiring shoppers to wear masks. “And the number of cases now probably is not all that dissimilar to what we saw during the massive surge in December and January.” That’s why, Wachter said, he strongly recommends masking in indoor public settings “in …

Almost 9 in 10 Californians live in areas with high COVID-19 levels as BA.5 fuels infections
2 years, 5 months ago

Almost 9 in 10 Californians live in areas with high COVID-19 levels as BA.5 fuels infections

LA Times  

Sustained jumps in cases and hospitalizations fueled by the hyper-infectious BA.5 subvariant pushed Los Angeles County into the high COVID-19 community level Thursday, a shift that could trigger a new public indoor mask mandate by the end of this month unless conditions improve. Nearly 9 in 10 Californians now live in counties with a high COVID-19 community level, in which …

L.A. is headed for a new COVID mask mandate. Will other counties join?
2 years, 5 months ago

L.A. is headed for a new COVID mask mandate. Will other counties join?

LA Times  

With the coronavirus resurgent and cases and hospitalizations on the rise, Los Angeles is poised to become the first Southern California county to reinstate mandatory public indoor masking. “To protect those at high risk, we are recommending that OC residents continue masking in public, indoor settings, especially those who are at high risk or living with loved ones who have …

Stunning spread of COVID subvariants brings high-risk summer to California
2 years, 5 months ago

Stunning spread of COVID subvariants brings high-risk summer to California

LA Times  

Three men wear masks while walking through Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Although hospitals in L.A. County are not overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, Ferrer has said reinstating a universal mask mandate should hospitalizations continue to rise is prudent. “The time to slow transmission is actually when you start seeing indicators that you’re having more utilization at your hospitals.” Ferrer …

L.A. County coronavirus deaths rising fast as ultra-contagious BA.5 fuels infection wave
2 years, 5 months ago

L.A. County coronavirus deaths rising fast as ultra-contagious BA.5 fuels infection wave

LA Times  

Some commuters choose to use masks at Union Station in Los Angeles on Tuesday. “There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about COVID right now, including that, at this point, it only causes mild illness,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “Unfortunately, this isn’t true.” For all the observations that Omicron is less likely to cause severe illness than …

With ultra-contagious BA.5 rising, how close is L.A. to an indoor COVID mask mandate?
2 years, 5 months ago

With ultra-contagious BA.5 rising, how close is L.A. to an indoor COVID mask mandate?

LA Times  

People wear masks while waiting in line for COVID-19 tests in Los Angeles in January. However, it is looking more likely, as cases and admissions have continued to increase, that we’ll enter the high community level designation later this month,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday. Assuming L.A. County were to enter the high COVID-19 community level …

California coronavirus cases remain elevated as wave continues
2 years, 6 months ago

California coronavirus cases remain elevated as wave continues

LA Times  

The number of newly reported coronavirus cases remains elevated across California as health officials continue to wrestle with the pandemic’s latest wave. “I do anticipate that with many schools closed for the summer, there’ll be significantly less routine testing and that will probably contribute to decreases in the daily case numbers and increases in test positivity over the next few …

L.A. County coronavirus cases, hospitalizations rising again, dashing hopes surge has crested
2 years, 6 months ago

L.A. County coronavirus cases, hospitalizations rising again, dashing hopes surge has crested

LA Times  

Passengers arrive by Metrolink train at Union Station in downtown L.A. in April. L.A. County is on track to move by early July into the high COVID-19 community level and, as a result, could see a new universal mask order for indoor settings. L.A. County plans to go a step further should it reach the high COVID-19 community level and …

School’s out. Will that help California get ahead of COVID-19?
2 years, 6 months ago

School’s out. Will that help California get ahead of COVID-19?

LA Times  

Angel Cardenas, a freshman at Hiram W. Johnson High School in Sacramento, wears his mask as he works on a math worksheet in class this week. “It’s very hard to accurately predict,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “If nothing else, I’ve learned this virus throws us curve balls all the time.” The county’s official case count will …

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