COVID-related hospitalizations rise to 557 in LA County – Press Telegram

The number of COVID-19-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals rose again on Tuesday, June 7, to 557, while the county recorded another 3,722 infections.

The number of hospitals is up from 530 on Monday. The number of patients treated in intensive care was 61 as of Tuesday, down from 63 a day earlier, according to state figures.

The 3,722 new infections gave the county a total accumulated during the entire pandemic of 3,008,619. Health officials said the actual number of cases is likely to be much higher, as many people now rely on home tests, the results of which are not always reported to authorities.

Another 10 virus-related deaths were also reported on Tuesday, giving the county an overall death toll of 32,178.

The average daily rate of people who tested positive for the virus was 4.1% on Tuesday.

“The continued high rate of transmission in the county is worrisome, especially for those at high risk,” the county’s director of public health, Barbara Ferrer, said in a statement. “Using all the tools available to reduce the risk of transmission is still the best approach to enjoying the summer. In addition to masking indoors and keeping up to date with vaccines, knowing your condition in certain situations is an important way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Getting tested at home, when you plan to attend an event or travel, or if you experience symptoms, allows you to stay away from others if you test positive to prevent further spread of the virus. Over-the-counter tests are available for free in the federal government “We encourage everyone to take advantage of these quick and easy tests,” he said.

Ferrer said last week that if virus-related hospital admissions continue to rise at the rate seen in recent weeks, the county could be moved to the “high” viral activity category of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by the end of month. . Reaching that category would mean the return of the mandatory rules of wearing interior masks.

The council will move from the “medium” category to the “high” category if its average daily rate of new COVID-related hospital admissions exceeds 10 per 100,000 residents or if the percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-positive patients exceeds the maximum . 10%.