By Mary O’KEEFE

Although COVID numbers are not what they were a year ago the public is not out of the pandemic woods yet.
Numbers released on Tuesday showed 6,035 new cases of COVID-19 covering the period from Dec. 31 to Jan. 3. There were 62 deaths during that same time period. In addition, more than 12,829,000 individuals have been tested, 25% of the people tested positive to date, according to Los Angeles County Public Health.

The test numbers do not include those who are testing at home. The vaccination rates in California for people vaccinated with at least one dose are 84.9%, and 74.9% for those fully vaccinated. LA County has similar percentages compared to the state with 81% of people receiving at least one or more doses of the vaccine, and 73% of people are fully vaccinated.

The triple virus threat of influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial (RSV) is still around and all three viruses have similar symptoms.

After seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases after Thanksgiving, LA County Public Health director Barbara Ferrer asked residents to temporarily wear face coverings indoors when they are with others.

“Ten days of mask wearing as many return to work and school can slow transmission, minimize disruptions to work and learning,” Ferrer said. “Protect those most vulnerable and help make sure hospitals do not become overwhelmed.”

With the surge in reported illnesses after Thanksgiving and another surge that is expected after the recent holidays, Public Health has some suggestions as everyone returns to work and school that may help reduce the number of COVID, flu and RSV cases.
Step 1: It is important for people who have recently traveled or attended other gatherings to take an at-home COVID-19 test. Some people with COVID-19 may be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic and unaware of their infection status. Without testing, they may unintentionally spread the disease to others, including to people at higher risk for severe illness should they become infected.

Step 2: Residents are asked to continue to wear a mask in indoor public spaces and in very crowded outdoor spaces. Masking is one of the strongest tools to help prevent transmission and a post-holiday COVID-19 surge. While some people may experience COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, coughing and sneezing a few days after exposure, it can take up to 10 days to test positive or display symptoms of infection. During that time, they can shed virus and unintentionally expose others to the disease.

Step 3: Residents should stay home when sick. Even if they test negative for COVID-19, other respiratory illnesses are circulating at high levels this winter, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus, and both viruses can cause serious illness, hospitalizations and death.

Each household can receive four free tests shipped to their home by ordering at COVIDtests.gov.