With the winter months coming, respiratory virus cases are slowly rising. Due to this, Los Angeles County inhabitants are being encouraged to get ready for the upcoming season. A slight increase in COVID-19 transmission indicators over the last two weeks call for heightened vigilance during the holiday period, as per a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health press release.
Last winter, we saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases starting in late October, with a peak in early December, according to the Department of Health. The winter before saw a fairly steady trajectory until late November when a sharp surge occurred in December due to the Omicron variant, leading to an early January peak. Given the 25% rise in daily reported COVID-19 cases and a 20% uptick in emergency department visits classified as COVID-19-related since November 1, it has become vital to be aware of possible surges in the county.
But this isn't only about COVID-19—the county is also seeing increases in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu cases. The press release stated that RSV transmission started to rise in September's final phase and flu transmission began to gain momentum in late October. The concurrent presence and rise of these three viruses intensify the prospect of a strain on the county's healthcare framework, as more people may need medical attention within the same timeframe, leading to what some call a "tripledemic."
To best protect against this severe illness, Public Health recommends residents make sure all of their vaccinations are current. They advise the yearly flu vaccine for those six months and older, and administration of the updated 2023-2024 formula COVID-19 vaccine for all, irrespective of past vaccination status. They particularly urge those who are pregnant, those with very young children, and people over 60 to consult with their healthcare providers about getting the RSV vaccine. Commonly, multiple vaccines can be administered at the same time, as per the Department of Health.
All adults and children aged 12 and above who are suspected to have COVID-19 or those with chronic health conditions can take Paxlovid, an antiviral dosing that should be started within the first days of having symptoms. Public Health suggests considering discussing Paxlovid with healthcare providers or contacting the Public Health Call Center at 1-833-540-0473 to access free telehealth services or prescriptions. Also, those experiencing respiratory symptoms but testing negative for COVID-19 should consider the flu as a possible cause and seek treatments like Oseltamivir (also known as Tamiflu) from their healthcare providers.
For questions about respiratory symptoms, vaccinations, or testing, the Public Health Call Center, which operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., can be reached at 1-833-540-0473. Staff at the center can assist people to access resources and arrange vaccination appointments, including for those who are housebound. As per data gathered up to November 4, COVID-19 hospitalization in Los Angeles County is currently classified as "low" by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with 3.6 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 residents, as per the Department of Health.
