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’s COVID Cases Plateau As BA.2 Subvariant Spreads
(
Courtesy of the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health
)
Two months since the peak of the omicron surge, Los Angeles County’s new COVID cases have fallen to about 660 cases a day. But health officials say the rate of decline has plateaued, after mandatory masking rules were lifted and the highly transmissible BA.2 subvariant continues to spread.
“Every single time we have reduced the restrictions or the levels of protection that are required, we have always seen an uptick … our job right now is to make sure that this doesn't lead to a significant increase in cases,” county health director Barbara Ferrer said at a press conference Thursday.
Nearly a third — 32% — of recent genetically sequenced tests were identified as BA.2, the highly contagious omicron subvariant. Those tests were for the week ending March 12 and the percentage was more than double the 14.7% from the previous week.
Increases in L.A. County reflect patterns seen around the world. Last week, the World Health Organization announced that worldwide, BA.2 accounted for 86% of sequenced cases. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that BA.2 is now the dominant variant in the U.S.
Support for LAist comes from
Ferrer said she was most concerned about people who have not yet been vaccinated contracting the virus.
“There [are] still 1.7 million L.A. County residents 5 and older that haven't yet received their first dose, and an additional 2.8 million eligible residents 12 and older that need their first both booster dose,” she said.
COVID deaths in the county continue to drop, though on average about 17 fatalities are still reported daily. Over the weekend, Ferrer said another child was reported to have died from the virus. Eleven children have now died from COVID-19 in L.A. County.
(
Courtesy of the L.A. County Dept. of Public Health
)
Despite the rise in the extremely contagious BA.2 subvariant, L.A. County’s current Centers for Disease Control Community Level remains low, with 66 new cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days. In total, 784 new cases were reported Thursday, and 16 deaths. There are 308 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, and the county’s positivity rate ticked up slightly to 1.1%.
Angelenos aged 50 and over, as well as immunocompromised people 12 and up, are all eligible for a second booster. Ferrer encouraged everyone eligible to get another shot.
Support for LAist comes from
“The biggest worry right now is we certainly don't have enough people boosted,” Ferrer said. “It's hard to understand the hesitancy for people not to come in quickly and get that booster dose. Evidence all over the world shows waning protection from vaccines over time, people who are at higher risk, people who are older, people who have underlying health conditions … are the most vulnerable,” she said.
Ferrer encouraged everyone to wear masks in public places, and get tested for the virus if they have symptoms.
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
-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter. -
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.
Best of LAist