New More Easily Transmittable COVID-19 Variants on the Rise!
June 26, 2024 – Black Wednesday Report – The Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported 113 new COVID-19 cases among Blacks, up by 34 cases. The County also recorded 0 deaths among Blacks since last week, down by 1 soul since last week. In Los Angeles County the total diagnosed Black cases are 197,776 with 3,333 deaths. Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County mourns with all the family members, friends, and individuals who have experienced losses and illness.
Summer COVID spike in California is fueled by FLiRT variants – Los Angeles Times
Summer just started, but California’s not-too-surprising seasonal COVID bump is already going strong, driven by the more transmissible FLiRT variants. Coronavirus levels found in California’s wastewater have risen sharply since early May and stand notably higher than the rest of the U.S. More people in L.A. County hospitals are testing positive for COVID, though deaths are keeping stable at fewer than one per a day, on average. Because the FLiRT subvariants are more easily transmitted, doctors advise those at higher risk for severe
COVID-19 infections to take precautions. Those include:
*Staying up to date on COVID vaccinations
*Avoiding sick people, some of whom might not know if they have COVID or a cold
*Masking up in crowded settings
*Taking Paxlovid (which for many should be easier to get now) if infected
The strongest risk factor for severe COVID-19 continues to be age, according to the CDC. People with certain underlying medical conditions — including asthma, cancer, diabetes and serious heart conditions — are also at heightened risk.
For information about where to get vaccinated, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/vaccines
Residents should also wash their hands often or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or when in public places. People should stay home if they have any symptoms of illness, including coughing, sneezing, a fever or sore throat, and consider talking with friends and family so they know to be cautious about gathering if they show signs of infection.
Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County is a coalition of individuals and groups who provide a mechanism for Los Angeles County Black women to advocate on behalf of their health and well-being. The coalition, which does not accept government grant funding, is dedicated to advancing health, economic, and social equity for all Los Angeles County Black women through direct action and connection to effective resources. In April 2020, the group launched a COVID-19 social media outreach campaign to address COVID-19’s impact in the Black community.
