Coronavirus levels in Los Angeles County wastewater have risen, following the arrival of a more infectious Omicron subvariant called Arcturus.
The newest strain, officially known as XBB. 1. 16, is likely to blame for the buildup of coronavirus cases in India, where there have been several anecdotal reports about what had been a rare symptom of COVID-19, especially among children: pink eye.
Arcturus accounts for a higher percentage of coronavirus cases nationwide. It comprised about 10% of U. S. cases. During the week ending Saturday; the previous week, about 6%; And the week before, 3%.
The California Department of Public Health estimates that Arcturus contains about 7% of coronavirus cases for the same week. At least 3 cases of Arcturus have been known in Los Angeles County, the firm said Thursday.
It’s too early to say that Arcturus is linked to a higher rate of conjunctivitis than older coronavirus variants.
But the fitness firm said other people “may be aware that red, watery or itchy eyes can be a sign of COVID-19 infection, and that those symptoms aren’t just ruled out because of pollen or seasonal allergies, especially if someone is more vulnerable to serious illness. “the disease may be exposed. ‘
Conjunctivitis, also known as conjunctivitis, can lead to eye injury if left untreated. Officials are urging others to use at-home coronavirus tests to find out if they are infected.
Rising sewage levels in Los Angeles County may be an early indication of further spread of the coronavirus, fitness officials said, reported cases are still relatively stable, as are hospitalizations and deaths. In the most recent week, 54 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Los Angeles County. There were 44 deaths reported last week, and last week, 59.
Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said that because Arcturus is connected to recent strains of the coronavirus, COVID vaccines and curative drugs like Paxlovid are still expected to be effective against serious illness and death.
“While we are faced with the reality that a new strain of Omicron is gaining dominance and it is not yet imaginable to expect the impact, I am convinced that the equipment we have, adding vaccines, treatments and tests, can restrict poor outcomes,” Ferrer said. said. on a Thursday.
That said, it’s still important for others to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Only about 40 percent of other people 65 and older in Los Angeles County got the updated COVID-19 vaccine, which was introduced in September.
COVID-19 remains a leading cause of death, although the intensity of the pandemic has decreased significantly. In 2022, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in Los Angeles County, along with coronary heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease, according to initial research. of knowledge through the Department of Public Health.
Other leading causes of death in Los Angeles County last year were stroke, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, unintentional drug overdose, high blood pressure and pneumonia/influenza.
However, COVID-19’s 3rd position rating represents an improvement from 2021, when the disease was the leading cause of death. In 2020, COVID-19 was the leading cause of death at the time, coronary heart disease.
These effects demonstrate how the threat of COVID-19 to the general population has diminished. Abundant vaccines in mid-2021 and anti-COVID curative drugs in mid-2022.
There were about 472,000 deaths in 2021 and about 355,000 deaths in 2020. More than 40,000 COVID-19 deaths have been reported nationally this year.
Seniors who are vaccinated or up-to-date on their vaccinations are most likely to die from COVID-19.
Although some fitness experts wear masks less frequently, due to declining levels of coronavirus transmission, they say they are still looking to take moderate measures for infection. It is especially important to decrease the threat of infection if you are older, belong to a higher threat group, or have an underlying physical condition.
If you contract a coronavirus infection, “you still have to self-isolate for five days, so it’s a shame,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco.
That said, Chin-Hong said he no longer dines at indoor restaurants.
“And probably the only times I can wear my mask is in a hospital,” and maybe on a plane, he said, noting that he put on a mask on a recent flight where he was near an organization of passengers returning from Europe “and they were coughing and coughing, and none of them were dressed in masks. “
State epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said at a recent briefing that if you see a COVID-19 buildup, you will most likely consult your circle of relatives before having a meal indoors with your parents.
And in an interview last week, Ferrer said that while he’s now more likely to eat indoors than before, he’d like to do so in a well-ventilated place that’s not crowded. For sporting events and concerts, you can wear your mask if there are many other people or if you are inside.
“Like others, I have activities I enjoy and other people I enjoy being with. And I need, as much as possible, to find tactics to do that,” Ferrer said. “I’m in one of the high-risk categories. “. So I need to be moderate about it and, as much as possible, decrease the risk, and still be able to do a lot of things that I enjoy doing. “
With widespread access to up-to-date COVID vaccines and therapies, “what I think is different right now is that we have a lot more protection,” Ferrer said. “So we have to find a balance between reducing our threat and not being too far apart. “of other people or activities we love. “
Deciding which dangers to take is a choice, he said.
“None of us deserve to be critical,” Ferrer said. It is vital that other people who threaten a lot diminish the threat in a moderate way, wherever they see it would be appropriate. “
Spring is when coronavirus cases have been low.
This “means that your chances of meeting someone who is positive for COVID-19 are reduced,” Ferrer said. In fact, much less than they are when our transmission rates are higher. “
In the face of spread, it is vital to get tested, especially if you have symptoms.
When the national public fitness emergency ends on May 11, the federal requirement that fitness insurers reimburse policyholders for 8 immediate over-the-counter COVID tests consistent with the month will also disappear.
But even after May 11, many Californians will still have access to the tests, the prices of which will have to be reimbursed through their insurer. Through SB 510 and SB 1473, each user insured under fitness plans regulated by the State Care Department of Managed Health will still have to cover the costs of 8 immediate over-the-counter tests according to the month. This includes the health insurance many get from their employers, as well as plans controlled through Medi-Cal and California covered plans.
Starting Nov. 11, insurers regulated through the State Department of Managed Health Care will have to cover COVID testing if provided through a network, but may qualify tests purchased out-of-network.
Free at-home testing can also be conducted at several Los Angeles County sites, adding county libraries, vaccination sites run by the county Department of Public Health, and food banks and senior centers. People age 65 and older in Los Angeles County or others who cannot leave their homes can request that two loose tests be mailed to them.
L. A. County citizens who would like assistance with COVID-19 resources can call (833) 540-0473, seven days a week, from 8 a. m. M. a 8:30 p. m.
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