Los Angeles area sets new COVID-19 record

Los Angeles County reported more than 45,000 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, another record-setting total for the area. 

The county said on Sunday that it had 45,584 new COVID-19 cases, up from 34,448 cases on Saturday. Thirteen new deaths were also reported, according to the county’s public health department.

The seven-day average positivity rate stood at 20.6 percent on Sunday, and on Saturday the county said it had more than 200,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past week, the highest weekly infection rate of the entire pandemic.

“Our hearts remain with those families experiencing the sorrow of losing those they love to COVID,” said Barbara Ferrer, who serves as director of public health for the county.

“As the surge continues, we ask residents and businesses to continue following the public health safety measures that we know reduce spread and keep people safe,” she added. 

As the highly contagious omicron variant contributes to the surge in infections, early studies have indicated that the strain is more mild and less likely to cause hospitalization than the delta variant. 

Despite the rising case count, the area’s school district is set to return to in-person instruction on Tuesday. Both Los Angeles Unified School District students and staff members are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test before returning to their classrooms.

The state has also extended its statewide indoor mask mandate until at least Feb. 15.