Omicron Spreads Across LA, Public Health Warns Against Variant

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 60 new cases of Omicron, “a new [COVID-19] variant of concern,” on Monday, December 20.

Omicron spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta variant, according to the California Department of Public Health. Omicron’s growing presence has amplified the call for Angelenos to get vaccinated.

“As Omicron cases continue to spread, Public Health data shows that vaccines remain one of the most powerful protections against COVID-19 transmission,” according to Public Health.

According to the latest state data, unvaccinated individuals are seven times more likely to contract COVID-19. Public Health suggested everyone 5 years and older gets fully vaccinated or receives their booster dose as quickly as possible to reduce transmission of the virus.

“Given the rising case numbers, the high rate of community transmission and all the evidence that, over time, our immune systems need a boost to be able to attack the COVID virus, no one eligible should delay getting their booster dose,” Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer said in a statement.

Public Health warned the winter and holiday season might reignite the risk of transmission, following social gatherings and travel. Preventative measures in place include the statewide indoor mask mandate that went into effect on Wednesday, December 15.

“To ensure that we collectively protect the health and well-being of all Californians; keep schools open for in-person instruction; and allow California’s economy to remain open and thrive, the California Department of Public Health is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks,” according to the CDPH website.

People exempted from the indoor mask requirement include those younger than 2 years old, people with medical or mental health conditions that prevent wearing a mask, and people who are hearing impaired or are communicating with someone hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential to communicate.

The mandate expires on January 15.

As of Thursday, December 16, over 15.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered to people across LA County. To date, 86% of Pacific Palisades and 87.4% of Palisades Highlands residents have gotten at least one shot, according to data from Public Health.

Angelenos are eligible to get vaccinated at county-run vaccination sites, LA City sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites. To find a vaccination site or make an appointment, visit vaccinateLAcounty.com.

As the Palisadian-Post went to print Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 had reached 1,567,133 across the county when factoring in Long Beach and Pasadena, with 27,448 deaths.

Pacific Palisades had reached 1,340 confirmed cases and 15 deaths Tuesday, with an additional 236 in Palisades Highlands and one death.