Public Health continues to monitor community-wide and sector-specific indicators for early alerts that transmission and risk may be increasing.
For the week ending April 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that BA.2 accounted for 68% of sequenced specimens in the U.S., with BA.2.12.1 accounting for approximately 29% of sequenced samples for that week.
The California Department of Public Health, through modeling estimates, anticipates that BA.2.12.1 will account for 50% of positive cases in California within a few days.
At three sewer systems: Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Joint Water Pollution Control Plant; Los Angeles City Sanitation and Environment Agency; and Los Angeles County Sanitation District’s Lancaster sewer system, there’s been a steady rise in average wastewater SARS-CoV-2 concentration.
While not yet a cause for significant concern, outbreaks at skilled nursing and sites serving people experiencing homelessness, have recently started to rise.
Among the 82 cluster reports received between April 20 and April 26, the top three sectors represented were Manufacturing, Retail Trade and Information, which together accounted for 55% of total cluster reports.
This is double the number opened the prior week and is nearing the threshold for increased concern, which is eight new classroom-based outbreaks opened in the past seven days.
“During this period of high transmission and the potential for more infectious variants, one of the best and easiest safety measures is to wear a well-fitting, high filtration mask or respirator when indoors around others.
Of the four new deaths reported today, three were between the ages of 65-79, and one person was over the aged 80 years or older.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for everyone 5 years old and older to help protect against COVID-19.
The District, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, conducts contact tracing and directly notifies and provides resources for parents of students identified as close contacts .
During the week of April 17 to April 23, the average time patients waited for test results was 0.7 day.
Mask Guidance: Under California’s mask guidance, universal masking is required only in specified higher risk settings like hospitals, public transit and congregate living facilities.
What to Do if You Think You’re Sick Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 , call your health care provider before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.