Connect with us

Los Angeles, Ca

What to know about BA.2 variant spreading in L.A. County

Published

on

What to know about BA.2 variant spreading in L.A. County

Mirroring tendencies seen throughout the nation, Los Angeles County is seeing a rise within the ratio of coronavirus circumstances turning out to be the extremely contagious omicron subvariant, BA.2.

Right here’s what to know concerning the variant:

What’s BA.2?

BA.2, typically known as “stealth omicron,” is taken into account a subvariant of omicron.

The subvariant has grow to be the dominant variant of the coronavirus world wide, the World Well being Group stated final week.

Advertisement

BA.2 is believed to be driving a rise in COVID-19 circumstances in a number of nations, together with in a lot of Europe. Now, there are worries that the variant might quickly push circumstances up within the U.S. too.

The subvariant has mutations in its spike protein that makes it totally different from BA.1, which has been the most typical omicron sublineage reported within the U.S. and the one believed to be behind the record-setting excessive case numbers throughout the winter surge.

The nation’s high infectious illness skilled, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has stated that the subvariant is taken into account 50-60% extra transmissible than the earlier model.

Is BA.2 extra harmful?

BA.2 is understood to be extra extremely contagious than earlier variants, although it doesn’t look like extra extreme that different variations of the virus, well being authorities say.

Is it spreading?

Whereas COVID-19 case numbers are nonetheless declining within the U.S., BA.2 is accounting for a bigger proportion of these circumstances.

Advertisement

BA.2 accounted for about 35% of samples sequenced between March 13 and March 19, up from 22.3% the week earlier than, in accordance with the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

The week earlier than that, BA.2 was present in 12.6% of sequenced circumstances.

Since fewer individuals are getting examined post-surge, and never each pattern is sequenced, there could possibly be extra BA.2 infections that documented.

How’s L.A. County doing?

The ratio of samples turning out to be the BA.2 subvariant has been rising in Los Angeles County, identical to the remainder of the nation.

Between February 27 and March 5, 14.7% of sequenced circumstances in L.A. County have been discovered to be BA.2, the L.A. County Division of Public Well being reported final week.

Advertisement

That’s greater than double what it was the week earlier than, when BA.2 accounted for six.4% of sequenced circumstances within the county.

L.A. County Director of Public Well being Barbara Ferrer has stated that the rise of BA.2 implies that the area must be ready “for the potential of extra circumstances within the close to future.”

“Though most of our metrics proceed to enhance, the county continues to see substantial transmission,” Ferrer warned Thursday. “Together with the rising circulation of the more-infectious BA.2 subvariant, everybody, particularly those that are at elevated danger or stay with somebody at elevated danger, ought to put on a high-quality masks and get vaccinated and boosted.”

Whereas L.A. County’s price is decrease than that of different cities, the numbers are following the same sample seen with earlier variants that emerged and swiftly unfold all through the area, well being authorities stated.

L.A. County has eased covid-19 restrictions in latest weeks, however the well being division continues to be strongly recommending that residents masks up when round others in public.

Advertisement

Is one other surge anticipated?

It’s not but clear whether or not BA.2 will gas one other main surge within the U.S., the place native, state and federal authorities have been enjoyable masking and vaccine verification restrictions in latest weeks.

Fauci has stated that he wouldn’t be shocked if case numbers start to climb within the U.S. within the subsequent few weeks.

However he doesn’t anticipate one other main surge.

“I might not be shocked in any respect, if we do see considerably of an uptick,” Fauci advised the Washington Submit final week. “The extent of it and the diploma to which it impacts seriousness of illness like hospitalizations and demise stays to be seen. I don’t actually see, except one thing modifications dramatically, that there could be a serious surge.”

Advertisement

Los Angeles, Ca

Outage leaves 40K Southern California Edison customers in dark on Christmas Eve

Published

on

Outage leaves 40K Southern California Edison customers in dark on Christmas Eve

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Some 40,000 Southern California Edison customers were without power on Christmas Eve after a transformer failed in the Downey-Norwalk area earlier in the afternoon.  

According to SCE’s outage map, the problems began around 1:30 p.m., with Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for Southern California Edison, telling KTLA that the utility company did not have a timeframe for when power would be restored.  

“Our crews are on scene working to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible. We recognize that this is a tough time to be without power, right before a holiday,” Dunleavy said. “We recognize that this is an incredibly important situation, and we want to get the power back up for our customers.”  

A view from Sky5 of a power outage in the Downey-Norwalk area affecting some 40,000 customers on Dec. 24, 2024. (KTLA)

Metro’s C (Green) Line trains were temporarily halted between the Norwalk and Willowbrook/Rose Park stops as a result of the outage, though normal C Line train service resumed right around 5 p.m., Metro officials said in a post to X, formerly Twitter.  

Officials in the City of Downey deployed police to help manage traffic control at intersections where traffic lights were out.  

Advertisement

“We encourage residents to exercise caution when driving through affected areas,” officials said in a statement.  

There were also reports of last-minute Christmas shoppers perusing the darkened aisles of local retailers also affected by the outage.  

Continue Reading

Los Angeles, Ca

Police seeking help identifying suspect in deadly Santa Monica hit-and-run

Published

on

Police seeking help identifying suspect in deadly Santa Monica hit-and-run

The Santa Monica Police Department is seeking help in identifying a driver that allegedly hit and killed a person on Sunday.

The fatal crash took place at about 6:40 p.m. on Sunday on the intersection of Chelsea Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard. According to authorities, the victim, who is yet to be identified publicly, was crossing Wilshire southbound when they were struck by a white Toyota Rav4 heading eastbound on Wilshire.

The Toyota’s driver then fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

The pedestrian, a Vietnam War veteran and Santa Monica resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Tuesday, police released graphic video footage of the collision. In that video, the Toyota can be seen speeding off after the crash sent the elderly victim flying.

Advertisement
The Toyota Rav4 that was allegedly used in a fatal Santa Monica hit-and-run crash. (SMPD)

Additional photos released showed a clear image of the suspect’s Toyota and security footage of the alleged driver.

The photo showed what appeared to be a bearded man wearing glasses, a black hoodie and gray sweatpants.

No additional details were immediately made available. Anyone who may have information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov, Investigator Lewis at Lantz.Lewis@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

Continue Reading

Los Angeles, Ca

Child sex predator in Southern California dies in jail

Published

on

Child sex predator in Southern California dies in jail

An inmate facing 11 felony charges at the Robert Presley Detention Center was pronounced dead in his cell, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday.

An inmate locator search showed that the deceased, who officials identified as 39-year-old Anthony Wayne Brooks of Riverside, faced 5 felony counts of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, as well as charges for illegal gun possession, DUI, vandalism, paraphernalia and more.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies found Brooks unresponsive in his housing unit cell on Sunday and attempted to perform life-saving measures until paramedics arrived.

However, despite their efforts, the sheriff’s office said Brooks was ultimately pronounced deceased.

“Investigators from the Riverside Sheriff’s Office Corrections Central Investigations Unit responded and assumed the investigation,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a release.

Advertisement

Investigators did not immediately find any signs of foul play, according to officials.

According to the inmate locator search, Brooks was arrested on June 6, 2023, by the Jurupa Valley Police Department and did not have bail posted. Brooks had a court date set in February 2025.

Three years earlier, the Riverside Police Department arrested Brooks on Aug. 7, 2020, for negligent discharge of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and high capacity magazine, and violations of both probation and Post Release Community Supervision, according to the department’s Facebook page.

At the time of his 2020 arrest, police said Brooks had been residing at a sober living house. 

“During a search of the house, officers found a semi-automatic handgun, high capacity magazine, and numerous ammunition,” stated the department.

The sheriff’s office said Brooks’ death is an ongoing investigation, and that no further information was available as of Monday night.

Advertisement

Officials encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Investigator Justin Williams at 951-922-7152.

Continue Reading

Trending