"Stable COVID Cases in Los Angeles County"

According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates have remained relatively stable over the past week. The department reported 1,482 new cases and 22 additional virus-related deaths on Friday, with a seven-day infection rate of 69 per 100,000 residents and a seven-day hospital admission rate of 7 per 100,000 residents. Although the new XBB.1.5 strain of the virus is now the most prevalent in the county, representing 32.8% of all sequenced samples, the statistics remain unchanged.

Health officials have warned that the new strain is more infectious and are advising residents to continue taking precautions. Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer says that while she is encouraged by the current numbers, residents should still support those who have been impacted by the virus, particularly older people, those with disabilities, and those with many exposures. Free telehealth services, therapeutics, and vaccines are available, and access remains a top priority.

To date, the county has a cumulative total of 3,687,409 cases, with 35,425 virus-related fatalities, mostly among the elderly or those with underlying health conditions. Masks are required in certain settings, such as health-care and congregate-care facilities, businesses with owner requirements, and for those exposed to the virus in the past 10 days. They are also strongly recommended for high-risk individuals and for people riding public transit. For all other indoor settings, mask-wearing is at the discretion of residents.