Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
News

‘This Isn’t A Blip’: Coronavirus Cases Surge In LA County

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

COVID-19 is surging again in Los Angeles County.

Officials confirmed more than 1,400 additional infections Monday, following four straight days with more than 2,000 new cases — and the numbers are usually lower on Mondays due to weekend reporting delays.

While the increase isn't as steep as what we saw in July, county public health director Barbara Ferrer said the data is clear — and warns that the upswing is still happening at "an accelerated pace."

"This isn't a blip any longer, this isn't, 'Oh, we had one bad weekend, and we're now getting it back under control.' This is now a surge in our cases," Ferrer told reporters.

She said the increase is especially alarming heading into the colder winter months, which could put new pressure on local hospitals.

Ferrer blamed people getting together in small groups, including during Halloween.

Sponsored message

“Many of these cases stem from people taking risks that are frankly not appropriate. It isn't that hard to play by the rules, especially since these rules are what keeps some people alive and allow our economy to improve,” she said.

Since the pandemic began, 323,625 people have tested positive in L.A. County and 7,177 have died.

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today