This story has been updated to reflect the latest COVID-19 rates.
Along with summer travel, gatherings with friends, and hot weather, the season has brought on rising numbers of COVID-19 cases to L.A. County. The surge has spread so widely it seems everyone knows someone who contracted the virus recently.
Local health officials recommend you continue to take precautions to prevent infection from the new variants circulating nationwide.
So what’s behind the cases? What are the latest guidelines? Is there reason for worry? We break down what you need to know about COVID right now.
What are the case rates now?
Data shows COVID cases have been climbing in L.A. County. L.A. County Public Health lists 479 COVID-19 cases in the latest 7-day daily average available (Aug. 1 to Aug. 8). The prior week had 452 cases, a jump from 106 cases at the beginning of the summer.
While the levels are low compared to COVID’s peak, they are higher compared to the same time last summer, when recorded cases reached 206 at the end of July. Cases also do not include those testing positive at home and not reporting.
COVID cases are also monitored through weekly wastewater levels, per the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). This July, California recorded higher levels of COVID in wastewater (11.53) than in July 2023 (2.88).
What is causing the surge?
According to public health officials, the increased number of infections could be attributed to new FLiRT variants, the term used to describe mutations derived from the Omicron variant. The Omicron variant, first introduced in late December 2021, was the dominant strain of COVID at the time. Health officials say viruses like SARS-CoV-2 can mutate frequently and evade recognition by antibodies.
Should we worry?
Hospitalizations due to COVID are not high compared to previous years — with the current 7-day daily average (Aug. 1 to Aug. 8) of COVID-positive hospitalizations at 403 according to Los Angeles County Public Health. The current 7-day daily average number of deaths is 1.6.
Wastewater surveillance shows increased virus activity across the majority of the country, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, but is more prevalent across the western and southern states.
Since the pandemic began, COVID cases have risen in the U.S. in the summer months. While hospitalizations remain low, the virus still poses a significant risk to the elderly and immunocompromised.
What to do if you feel symptoms or test positive?
If you are feeling sick, including symptoms like coughing, sneezing, a fever or sore throat, officials recommend residents stay home and inform friends and family of the symptoms of illness and are cautious of gathering if they show signs of infection.
Individuals testing positive should stay away from others until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and symptoms have resolved, per L.A. County Public Health recommendations.
Masking around others is still preferred to reduce transmission and strongly recommended by public health officials for at least 10 days after testing positive or the beginning of symptoms.
Where can you get tests/resources?
Other than at medical facilities, you can test at home for COVID-19 by using test kits sold at pharmacies or provided free at some select LA County libraries, while supplies last. A library card is not required.
