LA County health officials call for COVID precautions as cases rise

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urged residents Thursday to take common-sense precautions to halt the spread of COVID-19, amid a doubling since May of several coronavirus metrics.

“As families return from summer travel and children in LA County prepare to go back to school in the coming weeks, protection from COVID-19 infection remains important, especially for those at high risk for severe illness,” Public Health officials said in a statement.

This week county health officials reported 452 average daily COVID-19 cases, an increase from the 229 cases four weeks ago. Reported cases are an undercount because the large number of at-home test results are not reported to the health department.

Wastewater concentrations of SARS CoV-2, the viral microorganism that causes a COVID-19 infection, are at “44% of last winter’s peak, double the 17% reported the first week of July, indicating increasing transmission in LA County,” officials said. “Wastewater concentrations may provide more complete information about COVID-19 transmission levels than reported cases alone.”

The county reported an average of 81.6 new COVID hospital admissions per day, a doubled increase from 41.4 admissions logged four weeks ago. The seven-day average number of daily COVID hospitalizations in LA County is 389, with 10% of those patients in intensive care units this past week.

Coronavirus-related deaths were relatively stable, 1.9 daily average COVID-19 deaths were reported this week, compared with 0.9 in early July.

“Changes in the death metric may be seen later than other metrics due to both the time needed to receive death certificates and the natural progression of the disease,” officials said.

Since mid-May, coronavirus infection in LA County have consistently increased.

“In the past four weeks, reported COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, virus concentrations in wastewater, and the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests have doubled,” according to the county. “Being proactive to prevent illness can significantly reduce the risk of travel disruptions, last-minute cancellations, and inadvertently spreading illness, ensuring a more enjoyable end of summer season for everyone.”

The health department urged vaccination and other precautions to reduce the virus’ spread.

“Vaccination remains the most powerful tool to protect against the severe effects of COVID-19,” according to Public Health. An updated vaccine will be available this fall in LA County, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all people 6 months and older get the updated vaccine whether or not they have previously received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Additional doses of the 2023-24 vaccine are still available for county residents 65 and older, who can receive a dose of the updated vaccine four months after their prior dose. Information on where to get the vaccine is online: ph.lacounty.gov/vaccines.

Anyone who suspects they have COVID or have had a recent virus exposure should get tested, officials said. Free tests are available countywide and at pharmacies through most insurance plans. More information on testing is at ph.lacounty.gov/COVIDtests.

People who test positive for COVID-19 should stay away from others until they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking anti-fever medicine and symptoms have resolved, according to Public Health. Wearing masks when around other people “is necessary to reduce transmission for 10 days after testing positive or after symptoms started.”

Free and low-cost medications that can help prevent serious illness from COVID are available in LA County, with more information at ph.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/medication.

“Residents should continue taking common-sense precautions to avoid transmitting or becoming ill with COVID-19,” health officials said. “This includes washing their hands often or using hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or when in public places, and considering mask use when in crowded indoor spaces.”

Individuals should stay home if they show any illness symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, fever or sore throat, officials advised. County residents should also consider letting friends and family know about their illness to promote caution about getting together if signs of infection are present.

The county’s Public Health InfoLine, 833-540-0473, connects callers with answers to questions, free telehealth care for COVID-19 treatment and vaccination appointments, including for people who are homebound.