Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Health Officials Confirm 5 Cases Of More Contagious UK COVID-19 Strain
A pedestrian wearing his facemask walks past a boarded up Foreign Currency Exchange service in Los Angeles, California on November 30, 2020. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
()
Los Angeles County health officials have now confirmed a total of five cases of the coronavirus strain originally detected in the United Kingdom.
That variant is much more contagious than the strain currently dominating the United States. A recent study confirmed CDC estimates, that cases caused by this newer strain could double about every 10 days.
County public health director Barbara Ferrer says that while L.A. has not seen clusters tied to the variant (like the ones spotted in San Diego County), it's likely that other mutated strains, including another that was recently found in South Africa, are circulating locally:
"We haven't seen the South Africa variant in any of the sequencing that we've done, but that doesn't mean it's not here. Which is why we're just saying to everyone, 'Assume it's here.'"
Support for LAist comes from
The AstraZeneca vaccine has not yet been approved for use in the United States.
Ferrer also dismissed speculation that a more contagious variant was behind the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in L.A. County. She instead pointed to private gatherings and people not taking basic precautions over the holidays.
STRAIN DETECTED IN O.C.
Health officials in Orange County say a San Clemente man has tested positive for the U.K. strain. It's the first known case of the variant in Orange County.
Orange County Medical Director Doctor Matthew Zahn says the man did not travel outside the United States, so there are likely more cases in the area.
He also said the case is not part of a larger outbreak and the patient did not experience serious illness.
County staff is working on contact tracing and testing the man's contacts.
Support for LAist comes from
A CLOSER LOOK AT LOCAL COVID-19 NUMBERS:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist