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 L.A. County hospitals per day, up from 138 the prior week. Last summer saw coronavirus levels in L.A. County wastewater reach a high of 38% of the peak from the winter of 2022-23. For the week that ended June 4, the most recent information available, the county’s average was fewer than one COVID death a day.

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History of this topic

Highly contagious whooping cough rises in California to highest level in years
1 month 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 …

California’s COVID surge is finally over. But expect another spike in the coming months
2 months, 3 weeks ago

California’s COVID surge is finally over. But expect another spike in the coming months

LA Times  

California’s protracted summer COVID surge has finally ended, a welcome window that provides a key opportunity to prepare for yet another expected resurgence of transmission this autumn and winter, doctors say. “We have an updated COVID vaccine, an updated flu vaccine, an RSV vaccine — all of those can help protect ourselves, our families, our communities.” California New COVID subvariant …

Early signs California’s COVID surge is peaking: ‘It’s not gone away. It’s just lower’
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Early signs California’s COVID surge is peaking: ‘It’s not gone away. It’s just lower’

LA Times  

Dr. Gaurav Shinde gives Giti Noroozi, 85, her vaccinations for COVID and flu at the Walgreens pharmacy in Torrance on Thursday. But for the week ending Aug. 31, the most recent data available, California’s coronavirus sewage levels fell back to “high,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “We’re seeing, I would say, somewhat of a cresting …

This was a ‘prime weekend’ for COVID spread in California. Why experts see a ‘real risk’ ahead
3 months, 2 weeks ago

This was a ‘prime weekend’ for COVID spread in California. Why experts see a ‘real risk’ ahead

LA Times  

With COVID remaining at stubbornly high levels in California, some doctors are warning that transmission could again accelerate following the busy Labor Day holiday weekend — potentially prolonging a summer wave that has already proved more intense and enduring than some experts had anticipated. And with many California schoolchildren having already returned to school, “this is, unfortunately, a prime weekend …

‘Most people are confused’: What to know about the latest Covid shot
3 months, 3 weeks ago

‘Most people are confused’: What to know about the latest Covid shot

Politico  

Even the Democratic National Convention turned into a superspreader event. And despite the virus’ prevalence — and the persistent threat of long Covid — public health officials are contending with a myriad of obstacles as they try to boost the population’s defenses, including dwindling enthusiasm for the shots, lackluster testing and the end of a program meant to help the …

As COVID wave wallops California, new vaccines arrive this week. Will it be a turning point?
3 months, 3 weeks ago

As COVID wave wallops California, new vaccines arrive this week. Will it be a turning point?

LA Times  

New COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be available as soon as this week, a promising development amid California’s potent and enduring summer wave of the disease. “I have a tremendous empathy, having seen people struggle with long COVID in their 30s and 40s, people who you might think were otherwise low-risk,” Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s vaccine chief, said Friday. …

‘A much more infectious’ COVID variant fueling California’s relentless surge
4 months ago

‘A much more infectious’ COVID variant fueling California’s relentless surge

LA Times  

California’s relentless FLiRT-fueled COVID surge is continuing to spawn infections at a dizzying rate, with coronavirus levels in wastewater reaching some of the highest levels seen since 2022. For the week that ended Aug. 10, coronavirus levels in sewage were 84% of last winter’s peak in California, according to estimates posted Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and …

This is now California’s worst summer COVID wave in years. Here’s why
4 months, 1 week 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
4 months, 2 weeks 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 surging in California. Is it time to bring back masks, hand sanitizer? What experts say
4 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID surging in California. Is it time to bring back masks, hand sanitizer? What experts say

LA Times  

People gather outside to listen to the Miskey Mountain Boys at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach on July 28. In Los Angeles County, coronavirus levels in wastewater are at 44% of last winter’s peak for the 10-day period that ended July 20. “Given the increased transmission of new strains of COVID-19, residents should continue taking common-sense precautions to …

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 …

California's big COVID spike isn't expected to ease anytime soon
4 months, 3 weeks ago

California's big COVID spike isn't expected to ease anytime soon

LA Times  

With COVID-19 numbers in California spiking this summer, experts are warning the new strains driving the spread could be around for some time. It’s also true that, with this being the fifth summer of the COVID era, many people have thrown caution to the wind, and many sick people are continuing to go about their lives without masking or other …

COVID surging in California, nears two-year summer high. ‘Almost everybody has it’
4 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID surging in California, nears two-year summer high. ‘Almost everybody has it’

LA Times  

California’s COVID-19 test positivity rate has surpassed last summer’s peak, largely fueled by the FLiRT variants, particularly KP.3.1.1. “So, unfortunately, I think we are going to see a lot more cases.” Coronavirus levels in California sewage are considered “very high” for a third consecutive week, the CDC said Friday. The wave from the summer of 2022 played out over 16 …

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 …

Why Covid-19 is spreading this summer
5 months ago

Why Covid-19 is spreading this summer

BBC  

Why Covid-19 is spreading this summer Getty Images Covid-19 doesn't follow normal seasonal patterns, like other respiratory viruses – waves of infection can happen at any time of year. Getty Images New Covid-19 subvariants are finding new ways to escape the immune system Given the need to protect society’s most vulnerable, studying these continually emerging variants remains crucial for updating …

California hits ‘very high’ COVID levels as virus in wastewater jumps significantly
5 months, 1 week 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. …

Here are the numbers: COVID-19 is ticking up in some places, but levels remain low
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Here are the numbers: COVID-19 is ticking up in some places, but levels remain low

Associated Press  

Here’s a look at the state of COVID-19 in the U.S. as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes its latest advice on vaccinations. Nearly 26,000 people died from COVID-19 in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 9, 2021 — the highest weekly toll in the pandemic. Cases Individual COVID-19 cases are no longer tracked, but health officials …

Summer COVID bump intensifies in L.A. and California, fueled by FLiRT variants
5 months, 4 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 …

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, …

New COVID subvariants are rising: How bad will California get hit this summer?
6 months, 3 weeks ago

New COVID subvariants are rising: How bad will California get hit this summer?

LA Times  

As the new FLiRT family of coronavirus subvariants takes hold, early signs are pointing to a summer jump in cases. California’s COVID waves last summer and winter were still big enough to cause significant disruptions, including outbreaks in schools, among sports teams and at Hollywood studios, while some businesses saw higher numbers of workers calling in sick. “In years past, …

COVID is rising in California. Here’s how to protect yourself from FLiRT subvariants
6 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID is rising in California. Here’s how to protect yourself from FLiRT subvariants

LA Times  

Passengers prepare to ride a Metro rail line in Los Angeles. Consider taking a rapid COVID test once a day for three to five consecutive days after the onset of cough-and-cold symptoms, said Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious disease at Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Masking for 10 days to protect others The L.A. County Department of Public Health …

Signs of rising COVID in California as new FLiRT subvariants dominate
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Signs of rising COVID in California as new FLiRT subvariants dominate

LA Times  

Travelers get boarding passes and check in baggage at the Delta Air Lines terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday. “I have seen more than I would expect, of sick people in the hospital” for COVID, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert. “We are still seeing individuals hospitalized, and based on CDC data presented …

There’s a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant. Could FLiRT lead to a summer uptick?
7 months, 1 week ago

There’s a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant. Could FLiRT lead to a summer uptick?

LA Times  

Passengers with and without face masks travel through at Los Angeles International Airport in January. Two new COVID-19 subvariants, collectively nicknamed FLiRT, are increasingly edging out the winter’s dominant strain ahead of a possible summer uptick in coronavirus infections. “It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a new dominant variant in the U.S.,” said Dr. David Bronstein, an infectious …

These charts show COVID-19’s summer surge in the US
54 years, 11 months ago

These charts show COVID-19’s summer surge in the US

Associated Press  

COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests it’s on the upswing around the country. “We’ve seen these summer increases every summer that COVID-19 has been with us,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Johns Hopkins University infectious disease physician. “What’s different about these cases this summer vs. prior summers is that they don’t …

Older Californians now eligible for another COVID-19 vaccine dose
9 months, 1 week ago

Older Californians now eligible for another COVID-19 vaccine dose

LA Times  

Denise Fractious of Pasadena receives her COVID-19 vaccine during a clinic at Kaiser Permanente Pasadena in October 2023. Older Californians who received last autumn’s updated COVID-19 vaccination can now get another shot, state health officials said. Adults 65 and older should get a second dose of the updated shot that first became available in September, as long as at least …

Has California’s COVID-19 winter surge peaked? Here’s what the data show
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Has California’s COVID-19 winter surge peaked? Here’s what the data show

LA Times  

The winter respiratory virus season may have hit its peak in California, with coronavirus levels in sewage and COVID-19 hospitalizations starting to decline following weeks of steady increases. In L.A. County, flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV — the other two prongs of the “tripledemic” that stressed California hospitals last winter — are still circulating at elevated levels but …

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 …

Everyone in California seems to be sick with respiratory illness. Here’s why
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Everyone in California seems to be sick with respiratory illness. Here’s why

LA Times  

Does it seem like a lot of people you know are sick? In Los Angeles County, about 23% of people participating in a weekly text-message-based survey reported having a cough or shortness of breath for the week that ended Dec. 10, higher than the total reported during a late summer peak in respiratory illnesses, when 21% said they had those …

COVID-19 makes a wintertime comeback
1 year ago

COVID-19 makes a wintertime comeback

Hindustan Times  

Germany is sniffling and coughing again. "We no longer see severe cases," he said, adding just one patient, aged 94, had to go to the hospital due to COVID-19. With as much as 10% of the country sick, according to Germany's Robert Koch Institute for public health, offices and services are struggling to stay open. Other forms of PCR testing …

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

Bay Area reinstates COVID mask orders in healthcare settings. Will L.A. follow?
1 year, 1 month ago

Bay Area reinstates COVID mask orders in healthcare settings. Will L.A. follow?

LA Times  

Licensed vocational nurse Tracy Gage prepares a syringe at a flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Kaiser Permanente in Pasadena on Oct. 12. Rather, the county Department of Public Health issued a health order in September requiring healthcare workers to either get both the flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines or mask up when working in patient care areas. COVID-19 conditions …

New COVID vaccines are here: Now’s the time to get one, officials say
1 year, 1 month ago

New COVID vaccines are here: Now’s the time to get one, officials say

LA Times  

With Halloween just days away, and the wider autumn and winter holiday season fast approaching, now is the time for most everyone to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine, officials say — especially since initial supply shortages have eased. “We have a good supply of COVID-19 and flu vaccines in Los Angeles County and there are options for everyone 6 months …

Covid Australia: Fears grow that a new coronavirus strain is causing huge spike in hospitalisations
1 year, 1 month ago

Covid Australia: Fears grow that a new coronavirus strain is causing huge spike in hospitalisations

Daily Mail  

A new Covid subvariant could be causing a spike in hospitalisations and authorities are pleading with vulnerable and elderly patients to get booster shots to stave off the threat. Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said the surge in cases was largely due to low booster rates in older Queenslanders and the possible emergence of a new Covid variant called …

Where Southern Californians can find the new COVID-19 vaccine
1 year, 3 months ago

Where Southern Californians can find the new COVID-19 vaccine

LA Times  

Although shipments of the newest COVID-19 vaccines started arriving in Southern California pharmacies and clinics last week, Kaiser Permanente members will need to wait just a little longer to get their shot from the healthcare provider. But pharmacists at multiple CVS locations in Los Angeles said Wednesday that Kaiser members would not be able to get the shot at the …

New COVID-19 vaccinations are coming, CDC says. The shots will likely be available this week
1 year, 3 months ago

New COVID-19 vaccinations are coming, CDC says. The shots will likely be available this week

LA Times  

Allan Fernandez, 7, middle, is vaccinated by Dr. David Bolour, left, as CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky looks on in Ted Watkins Memorial Park last year. “Although hospitalization rates are currently low in some age groups, we have seen rates increase in recent weeks, and anticipate further increases as we enter respiratory virus season.” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen on …

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 …

With coronavirus on the upswing in California, new vaccine coming sooner than expected
1 year, 3 months ago

With coronavirus on the upswing in California, new vaccine coming sooner than expected

LA Times  

With an uptick of coronavirus cases in the Southland, a member of the medical staff at MLK Community Hospital wears a mask while being framed by a sculpture titled “Pieces Together” by Lawrence Argent in Watts on Aug. 17. In Los Angeles County, COVID-19 levels have risen for the fifth consecutive week, with the number of newly reported infections likely …

New coronavirus subvariant Eris is gaining dominance. Is it fueling an increase in cases?
1 year, 4 months ago

New coronavirus subvariant Eris is gaining dominance. Is it fueling an increase in cases?

LA Times  

A passenger wears a mask to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus at an airport in 2021. The Mid-Atlantic region — Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia — saw a 19% increase in new weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations, up from a 4% jump the prior week. In the Southeast region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, …

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 …

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US are on the rise again, but not like before
1 year, 4 months ago

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the US are on the rise again, but not like before

Associated Press  

Here we go again: COVID-19 hospital admissions have inched upward in the United States since early July in a small-scale echo of the three previous summers. But it’s a far cry from past peaks, like the 44,000 weekly hospital admissions in early January, the nearly 45,000 in late July 2022, or the 150,000 admissions during the omicron surge of January …

COVID-19 data shows early signs of an increase in cases
1 year, 4 months ago

COVID-19 data shows early signs of an increase in cases

Salon  

Emerging data suggests that COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are on the rise again for the first time since January 2023, though the uptick is relatively small so far. Overall, COVID cases have been on a steep decline since January, but available data shows this trend is starting to reverse. Elsewhere in the world, many countries are also enduring prolonged …

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. …

Could Fourth of July trigger a summer COVID-19 surge? What L.A. County data show
1 year, 6 months ago

Could Fourth of July trigger a summer COVID-19 surge? What L.A. County data show

LA Times  

Summer has been a fraught and cautious time in the pandemic era, with travel and gatherings for holidays and vacation fueling COVID-19 spikes each of the last three years. The average number of coronavirus-positive people in L.A. County’s hospitals also has continued to decline or hold stable at relatively low levels. L.A. County reported 36 COVID-19 deaths for the most …

Data, funding gaps threaten public health pandemic efforts
1 year, 6 months ago

Data, funding gaps threaten public health pandemic efforts

LA Times  

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, center, tours the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services prior to hosting a meeting on pandemic preparedness Thursday. “From a public health standpoint, I think we did learn a lot,” Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis said. World & Nation COVID-19 outbreak hits CDC epidemiology conference The …

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. …

US ends COVID-19 health emergency today: Key figures defining the pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

US ends COVID-19 health emergency today: Key figures defining the pandemic

Firstpost  

Though daily life has long returned to near-normal for many in the United States, the official end of the COVID-19 health emergency Thursday night still marks a new post-pandemic era for the country. Three years of health emergency A state of emergency was first declared in the United States in January 2020, more than three years ago. 1.1 million deaths …

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