The number of COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals dropped below 600 Friday for the first time since early December, as the winter surge in transmission fueled by the Omicron variant continues to subside.
There were 588 patients with the coronavirus in county hospitals, down 45 from the previous day, according the latest state data. Of those patients, 108 were in intensive care, five fewer than Thursday’s total. Hospitalizations had surpassed 4,800 in mid-January.
The latest numbers come one day after local health officials reported another 40 deaths linked to the virus along with 1,372 additional positive COVID tests. Those numbers brought the county’s cumulative totals to 2,808,409 cases and 31,178 deaths since the pandemic began.
The average daily rate of people testing positive for the virus was 0.9% as of Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Also Thursday, the federal Transportation Safety Administration announced plans to follow a Centers for Disease Control recommendation and extend the mandatory masking for passengers on airplanes and public transportation through April 18.
“During that time, CDC will work with government agencies to help inform a revised policy framework for when, and under what circumstances, masks should be required in the public transportation corridor,” the statement said. “This revised framework will be based on the COVID-19 community levels, risk of new variants, national data, and the latest science.”
LA County health officials said they were working to increase the number of providers who can offer residents access to anti-COVID therapeutics, while also striving to raise awareness about their availability.
According to the Department of Public Health, the oral medications are Paxlovid and Molnupiravir are prescription drugs that must be taken within five days of COVID symptoms developing. Paxlovid is available for anyone age 12 and older who weighs more than 88 pounds. Molnupiravir is available for anyone 18 and over.
A third medication, Evulsheld, is given through an injection and is available for people 12 and over who have not been exposed to the virus and are unable to get a COVID vaccine for medical reasons.
“Given that the new therapeutics can save the lives of residents who are at elevated risk, Public Health is working closely with partners across the county to make sure they are accessible to those who are most vulnerable to severe illness from a COVID infection,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “Having sites where residents can both get tested and receive appropriate medications if they are positive is essential and we look forward to working with federal and pharmacy partners to expand availability of `Test to Treat’ programs, especially in our under-resourced communities.”