‘Off the charts’: California hit with very high flu activity, among worst in U.S.
2 years, 3 months 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 available and the number of healthcare workers that are impacted by illness, which lowers the hospital’s capacity to take care of patients,” L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a recent briefing. “The current percent positivity, even while it’s dropped, still surpasses the highest percent positivity values seen for our last five seasons,” Ferrer said. “So, still an alarming number of people who are testing positive for RSV.” At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the RSV positivity rate is 23%. Orange County’s RSV situation remains the same as it was the prior week, according to its Health Care Agency, where officials declared a public health emergency over RSV and other viral illnesses stressing children’s hospitals.

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History of this topic

More people are currently dying from the flu in California than from Covid
3 weeks, 2 days ago

More people are currently dying from the flu in California than from Covid

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Health officials said they’ve seen an increase in cases and hospitalizations over the last several …

Flu surpasses COVID as California's deadliest respiratory illness
3 weeks, 4 days ago

Flu surpasses COVID as California's deadliest respiratory illness

China Daily  

SACRAMENTO, the United States -- For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, influenza has surpassed COVID-19 as the deadliest respiratory illness in California, prompting hospitals to struggle with overwhelming patient numbers amid a surge in flu cases. "Our hospital is full to the brim," Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco, told …

Worst flu season in years swamps California: ‘Particularly long and difficult’
1 month ago

Worst flu season in years swamps California: ‘Particularly long and difficult’

LA Times  

The worst flu season in years is swamping California, prompting a renewed surge in hospitalizations as officials warn the disease could continue circulating at high levels for weeks to come. That’s higher than the peak of the “tripledemic” winter of 2022-23, when California’s hospitals were stressed by simultaneous high circulation of flu, COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Since …

US CDC says flu cases highest in the country in 15 years; preventive measures to keep yourself protected
1 month, 1 week ago

US CDC says flu cases highest in the country in 15 years; preventive measures to keep yourself protected

India TV News  

Flu cases have been surging across the United States, according to the latest estimates of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Friday. CDC said, "Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and continues to increase across the country." The CDC data shows that at least 45 states and jurisdictions are reporting "high or very high" levels of the …

Valley fever cases surge in California, already way up from recent years
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Valley fever cases surge in California, already way up from recent years

LA Times  

As of the end of November, 11,076 valley fever cases had been confirmed statewide, a 20% increase compared with last year’s total and a nearly 47% jump from 2022. Valley fever cases are skyrocketing in California, with this year’s tally already far exceeding the number recorded in all of 2023 and set to climb even higher once figures from the …

Highly contagious whooping cough rises in California to highest level in years
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Highly contagious whooping cough rises in California to highest level in years

LA Times  

Pertussis treatment within the first one to two weeks is most effective for reducing symptom severity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Los Angeles County, there have been 347 confirmed and probable whooping cough cases so far this year, up from 126 reported in all of 2023 and more than quadruple the 2022 total. One …

This is now California’s worst summer COVID wave in years. Here’s why
7 months ago

This is now California’s worst summer COVID wave in years. Here’s why

LA Times  

California’s strongest summer COVID wave in years is still surging, and an unusual midsummer mutation may be partly to blame. “COVID is extraordinarily common now,” said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s 16-hospital healthcare system. “We are certainly much higher than we were last summer.” Anecdotally, some infected people report being “pretty darn …

California COVID surge is surprisingly stronger, longer-lasting than experts had expected
7 months, 1 week ago

California COVID surge is surprisingly stronger, longer-lasting than experts had expected

LA Times  

An individual sits with a mask on at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach on July 28. “We are seeing a lot of outpatient cases — it’s been a much higher uptick over the last week, actually,” Hudson said Friday. “I’ve heard so many stories in the last few weeks of people who didn’t get any until this point, …

COVID-19 cases rising again in California
7 months, 2 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
7 months, 3 weeks 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 …

California hits ‘very high’ COVID levels as virus in wastewater jumps significantly
8 months ago

California hits ‘very high’ COVID levels as virus in wastewater jumps significantly

LA Times  

A record number of passengers passed through LAX at the end of the July 4 holiday this month. And for the first time since the winter, California has “very high” coronavirus levels in its wastewater, according to CDC data for the week ending July 6. Coronavirus levels in California’s wastewater are now estimated to be significantly higher than last summer. …

COVID cases keep rising in L.A. County due to FLiRT; Mayor Karen Bass tests positive
8 months, 2 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
8 months, 2 weeks 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 …

One-two punch of COVID and flu is hitting L.A. County hard
1 year, 2 months 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
1 year, 2 months 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-19 and flu cases are rising in California. How bad will the holiday uptick be?
1 year, 3 months ago

COVID-19 and flu cases are rising in California. How bad will the holiday uptick be?

LA Times  

COVID-19 and flu are rising across California, sparking new warnings from health officials to take precautions as the wider winter holiday season looms. “Getting tested and treated early can prevent you from getting severely ill, being hospitalized and can potentially save your life.” Relatively speaking, COVID-19, flu and another ailment — respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV — aren’t at the …

COVID, flu, RSV on the rise in California. Is another ‘tripledemic’ coming?
1 year, 3 months ago

COVID, flu, RSV on the rise in California. Is another ‘tripledemic’ coming?

LA Times  

Respiratory virus season is ramping up in California, prompting health officials to renew their calls for residents to get vaccinated in hopes of reducing potential pressure on health systems across the state. Last year at this time, children’s hospitals across California were under stress, with exceptionally high hospitalization rates related to RSV — including in Orange County, which declared a …

The flu is soaring in seven states and rising in others, health officials say
1 year, 3 months ago

The flu is soaring in seven states and rising in others, health officials say

LA Times  

The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted new flu data on Friday, showing very high activity this month in Louisiana, and high activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and …

The flu is soaring in seven US states and rising in others, health officials say
1 year, 3 months ago

The flu is soaring in seven US states and rising in others, health officials say

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The U.S. flu season is underway, with at least seven states reporting high levels of illnesses and cases rising in other parts of the country, health officials say. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted new flu data on Friday, showing very high activity last week in Louisiana, and high activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, …

COVID outbreaks hit workplaces, schools across California as summer illnesses worsen
1 year, 6 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 …

Valley fever could hit California hard. The drought-to-downpour cycle is to blame
1 year, 7 months ago

Valley fever could hit California hard. The drought-to-downpour cycle is to blame

LA Times  

A tractor plows a field in Paso Robles. Cases of valley fever, caused by breathing in dust that contains a fungus, are highest in the Central Coast and Central Valley regions of California. “California’s dry conditions, combined with recent heavy winter rains could result in increasing valley fever cases in the coming months,” California Department of Public Health Director Dr. …

COVID-19 deaths top 100,000 in California: ‘Nobody ... anticipated this toll’
2 years 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?
2 years, 1 month 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 …

A ‘very different January’: L.A. County drops to low COVID community level
2 years, 1 month 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 …

Will XBB.1.5, the latest Omicron subvariant, fuel another California COVID surge? What we know
2 years, 2 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 …

Workers in L.A. County should wear masks indoors to prevent COVID surge, officials say
2 years, 2 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 …

California senior citizens are hit hard as COVID-19 surges this winter
2 years, 3 months 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 …

COVID-19 cases in most populous US county surge to highest levels: media
2 years, 3 months 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 …

California child dies of flu and RSV as cases soar, hospitals threatened
2 years, 4 months ago

California child dies of flu and RSV as cases soar, hospitals threatened

LA Times  

A child receives a flu shot at a free clinic in Los Angeles in October 2020. Underscoring the worrisome conditions, California Department of Public Health officials on Monday reported the season’s first death of a child under 5 due to flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. In a recent communication, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health wrote …

A ‘tripledemic’ of flu, RSV and COVID is feared in California
2 years, 4 months ago

A ‘tripledemic’ of flu, RSV and COVID is feared in California

LA Times  

Licensed vocational nurse Angela Tapia administers a COVID-19 booster to Louis Salazar Jr. as his father, Louis Salazar Sr., waits his turn at their home in Los Angeles. “We are potentially going into what people are calling a ‘tripledemic,’ or a ‘tridemic,’” warned Orange County health officer Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, who on Monday declared a health emergency amid a surge …

California sees increase in RSV, a respiratory illness that can be dangerous for babies
2 years, 4 months ago

California sees increase in RSV, a respiratory illness that can be dangerous for babies

LA Times  

An increase in respiratory illnesses such as RSV has “stretched our capacity in the emergency department,” Dr. James Stein, chief medical officer of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said in a statement. “This increase in RSV and other respiratory illnesses have stretched our capacity in the emergency department,” Dr. James Stein, chief medical officer of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said in …

Southern California braces for difficult flu season as cases rise after COVID lull
2 years, 4 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 …

Flu could be far worse in L.A. this season. Here’s why
2 years, 5 months ago

Flu could be far worse in L.A. this season. Here’s why

LA Times  

A shopper passes a sign urging people to get a flu shot. “We could experience lots of transmission of both influenza and COVID at the same time,” said Ferrer, who urged residents to get both their annual flu shot and the updated COVID-19 booster that is designed to protect against the most recent circulating coronavirus strains. “If you’re trick-or-treating for …

California enjoying ‘good COVID weather’ now. But a tough winter could be coming
2 years, 5 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, 6 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 …

‘I’m over it.’ Many in L.A. shrug off COVID-19 wave despite super-infectious subvariants
2 years, 7 months ago

‘I’m over it.’ Many in L.A. shrug off COVID-19 wave despite super-infectious subvariants

LA Times  

People shop and work in Santee Alley in downtown Los Angeles this month. But it is getting better.” In Los Angeles County, public health officials are likely to reinstate an indoor mask mandate by the end of this month because the county is now in the “high” COVID-19 community level as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and …

Fueled by rapid reinfections, California’s soaring summer COVID wave could top winter surge
2 years, 7 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, 7 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 …

Stunning spread of COVID subvariants brings high-risk summer to California
2 years, 8 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, 8 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 …

California coronavirus cases remain elevated as wave continues
2 years, 9 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 …

California’s latest COVID-19 surge may be slowing, early data suggest
2 years, 9 months ago

California’s latest COVID-19 surge may be slowing, early data suggest

LA Times  

People wait in line for a COVID-19 test in Los Angeles earlier this year. “We do, however, have sewage data that would suggest that there’s some drop-off here in San Francisco, Davis, San Jose,” Rutherford said, referring to levels of coronavirus in wastewater. Los Angeles County reported a 4% week-over-week decrease in average daily coronavirus cases, according to a Times …

L.A. County moves closer to possible mask requirement as coronavirus hospitalizations rise
2 years, 9 months ago

L.A. County moves closer to possible mask requirement as coronavirus hospitalizations rise

LA Times  

Barbara Ferrer, L.A. county director of public health, talks with Ryder McReynolds, 11, after Ryder got his COVID-19 booster shot in Encino on May 21. “If we continue on the current trajectory … we’re likely to move into the CDC high community level within a few weeks towards the end of June, indicating increased stress on the healthcare system.” The …

These areas of California have been hardest hit by new coronavirus wave
2 years, 9 months ago

These areas of California have been hardest hit by new coronavirus wave

LA Times  

The San Francisco Bay Area has gone from 208 cases a week for every 100,000 residents to 369 cases a week for every 100,000 residents, a 78% week-over-week increase. San Bernardino County San Bernardino County has gone from 79 cases a week for every 100,000 residents to 147 cases a week for every 100,000 residents, an 85% week-over-week increase. San …

Another bummer coronavirus summer for California? Cases keep rising along with concerns
2 years, 9 months ago

Another bummer coronavirus summer for California? Cases keep rising along with concerns

LA Times  

Buddhist monks stand before the start of a candlelight vigil held Tuesday at the Viet Heritage House and Garden in Santa Ana to mark 1 million coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. and recent shootings in Laguna Woods and Buffalo, N.Y. With coronavirus cases on the rise, California finds itself in a familiar, if frustrating, position — with the threat of …

California again faces rising anxiety about coronavirus spread as summer approaches
2 years, 10 months ago

California again faces rising anxiety about coronavirus spread as summer approaches

LA Times  

California is approaching another summer amid growing anxiety over COVID-19 as outbreaks increase and officials try to determine when this new wave will crest. “Even if you got Omicron during the Omicron surge, you can still get COVID again, unfortunately.” California is reporting about 8,000 daily coronavirus cases in the last week, up 18% over the previous week’s tally of …

California COVID-19 deaths near 90,000, but the per capita rate is among lowest in U.S.
2 years, 10 months ago

California COVID-19 deaths near 90,000, but the per capita rate is among lowest in U.S.

LA Times  

Family members lift the casket of Charles Jackson Jr., who died from COVID-19 in 2020, into a hearse at Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles. However, on a per capita basis, California has the 11th-lowest cumulative COVID-19 death rate — with 229.5 deaths for every 100,000 residents, according to data compiled by The Times. And if California had Arizona’s death …

‘We’re now into our sixth wave’: Coronavirus gains in California spark new concerns
2 years, 10 months ago

‘We’re now into our sixth wave’: Coronavirus gains in California spark new concerns

LA Times  

Coronavirus cases are continuing to increase in California, prompting one health official to warn that the state is heading into the next wave of the pandemic. For the record: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said New York City’s rate of new weekly coronavirus-positive hospitalizations last week was nearly 75% higher than L.A. County’s, and the rate of weekly …

Here we go again: California coronavirus cases rising. Is a new wave coming soon?
2 years, 10 months ago

Here we go again: California coronavirus cases rising. Is a new wave coming soon?

LA Times  

Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez tosses holy water during the annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony on April 16. “We’re expecting a small surge that may mirror something that we saw in Delta last summer, in early July, but it’s happening now, in May,” Dr. Curtis Chan, deputy health officer for San Mateo County, said in an interview. “People …

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