L.A. Residents Urged to Continue Safety Measures to Prevent Outbreaks as Cases Increase and Spring Holidays Approach

Los Angeles–With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, residents planning to gather for upcoming Spring holidays should follow all safety precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19 or being part of an outbreak. While outbreaks in many sectors remain low, Public Health cautions that gatherings for Ramadan, Passover, Easter and Spring Break could eventually lead to more cases and outbreaks.

The average number of daily new cases reported over the last 7 days increased to 892, a 23% increase from the average of 724 daily new cases over the previous 7 days. This increase in cases is likely due to the more easily transmitted BA.2 subvariant, which continues to increase in LA County.

For the week ending March 19, BA.2 accounted for 47% of sequenced specimens. One month prior, the week ending February 19, BA.2 accounted for only 5% of specimens sequenced. The increase in LA County mirrors what we are seeing nationally and internationally. Worldwide, BA.2 accounts for the vast majority of sequenced cases, and in the U.S., the CDC estimates that as of April 2, BA.2, accounted for 72% of sequenced specimens in the preceding week.

Today, Public Health reported 16 additional deaths and 1,263 new positive cases of COVID-19. Of the 16 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 30-49, five people were between the ages of 50-64, five people were between the ages of 65-79, and five people were aged 80 years or older. Of the 16 newly reported deaths, 13 people had underlying health conditions. To date, the total number of deaths in L.A. County is 31,770.

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