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Health officials warn against complacency as COVID cases surging again in L.A.

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Health officials warn against complacency as COVID cases surging again in L.A.


LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A summer surge of COVID-19 cases in Southern California comes as many residents become complacent about safe behaviors.

Could this be adding to the spike in infections?

As a caregiver, Tracey Benson of Inglewood is very protective about her mom’s health. All this time she has been able to keep her from getting a COVID infection, but it’s getting harder and harder.

“We are staying on top of it, but I think others should join and do the same and not be so relaxed,” Benson said.

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Doctors say this relaxed attitude toward COVID may be fueling the spread of the latest variant called FLiRT.

“It is quite widespread,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Suman Radhakrishna with Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center.

She said the FLiRT variant is 20% more contagious than the original virus, but less likely to cause serious disease, which may be another reason why people are letting their guard down.

“A lot of people are walking around who are asymptomatic. You hug each other, you kiss each other, you’re sharing food,” she said.

According to the CDC, California’s wastewater has reached a “very high” level for COVID for the first time since last winter. L.A. County health officials said other indicators, such as the number of cases and hospitalizations, have doubled in the last month.

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Think of the last time you went to a gathering and someone tested positive. Did you test yourself? Did you isolate yourself? Doctors say people are forgetting the important lessons we’ve learned.

“You should say to yourself, if I test positive, I’m going to stop the transmission right here with me. And I’m going to quarantine myself for the five-day prescribed period. Every person has a duty to protect everyone else around them so we should be doing our part,” Radhakrishna said.

Besides those measures, Dr. Radhakrishna says vaccination remains our best weapon and summer may be a good time to boost your immunity.

“If you’re traveling now, you want to be protected now,” she said.

This is especially true for those in vulnerable groups.

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“It is still very bad for the immuno-compromised. And for the ones who are suffering in the throes of infection, it is very bad as well,” said Radhakrishna.

For her mom’s sake, Benson is hoping people will continue to cover their cough, social distance, test if they need to and get vaccinated.

“Health is important not just for oneself, but for your other family members. It’s really important,” said Benson.

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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California

Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’

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Jamie Lee Curtis fights back tears on ‘Tonight Show’ over California wildfire ‘catastrophe’ near her home: ‘It’s f–king gnarly, guys’


Jamie Lee Curtis fought back tears as she detailed the “catastrophe” of the Palisades Fire near her California home when she appeared on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday.

“As you know, where I live is on fire right now. Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning. I flew here last night. I was on the plane and started getting texts. It’s f–king gnarly, you guys,” Curtis said.

“It’s a catastrophe in Southern California. Obviously there has been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything.”

Jamie Lee Curtis during her appearance on “The Tonight Show” on Jan. 8, 2025. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Curtis said she had “many, many, many” friends who have lost their homes in the devastation of the fires.

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“It’s a really awful situation,” she added.

The 66-year-old added she was flying home first thing Thursday to be with her family and friends.

The Academy Award-winning actress, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Christopher Guest, took to Instagram earlier Wednesday to share with her followers that her home was “possibly” on fire.

Helicopters drop water on the Sunset Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. GC Images
A firefighters works as the Palisades Fire burns a house next to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. AP

“My community and possibly my home is on fire,” the actress wrote in the post. “My family is safe. Many of my friends will lose their homes. Many other communities as well.”

“Take care of each other,” she told her followers. “Stay out of the way and let the firefighters do their work. Pray if you believe in it and even if you don’t, pray for those who do.”

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Stay up to date with the NYP’s coverage of the terrifying LA-area fires


The Emmy winner is one of tens of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes in Pacific Palisades and neighboring areas.

Four fires have exploded in Los Angeles County, taking over 27,000 acres of land with zero containment in the Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires.

The Hurst Fire is 10 percent contained, officials announced.

The fires are being fueled by strong winds, “dry fuels” and low humidity.

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The “Halloween” star isn’t the only Hollywood figure whose home is under threat due to the fires.

Harrison Ford was seen talking to police as he attempted to get through to check on his $12.6 million Brentwood home he had evacuated because of the raging blaze.

Ford’s “Star Wars” co-star Mark Hamill was forced to flee his Malibu home Tuesday as the fire bore down on the area.

Firefighters fight the Sunset Fire in the hills overlooking the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. REUTERS

The 73-year-old actor detailed his hour-long “last minute” evacuation from Malibu as he experienced the most horrific fire since 1993.

Other LA-based celebrities have been forced to evacuate their homes amid the crisis, including “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore, “Schitt’s Creek” star Eugene Levy and “Once Upon a Time in America” actor James Woods.

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Maps: See how large the California wildfires are

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Maps: See how large the California wildfires are


Multiple major wildfires are leaving a trail of destruction and death in the Los Angeles area.

A handful of wildfires kicked up Tuesday, powered by high winds and dry conditions , and have exploded in size. As of Tuesday afternoon, 2 people have been killed and more than 80,000 people have been evacuated. 

Follow live coverage here.

The maps below show the size and status of the fires. They will be updated frequently.

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AIR7 video offers aerial view of wildfires' destruction in LA County: WATCH LIVE

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AIR7 video offers aerial view of wildfires' destruction in LA County: WATCH LIVE


LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Aerial video from AIR7 on Wednesday morning offered one of the first overhead glimpses at the devastation caused by multiple wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Footage from the helicopter showed the destructive path of the Eaton Fire near Altadena, which resulted in at least two fatalities while destroying more than 100 structures and burning more than 2,200 acres.

Shortly after 9:30 a.m., the aircraft’s perspective showed several two-story homes burning in the area of Lilac Canyon Lane, located in a residential neighborhood near the north end of Lincoln Avenue. Many nearby houses were smoldering.

Meanwhile, another ABC7 helicopter was over Pacific Palisades, where massive plumes of smoke continued to rise above burning homes in the foothills. Other structures were completely destroyed.

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Houses were also on fire near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, the major artery that stretches from the San Fernando Valley to Pacific Coast Highway.

Media and fire department aircraft were mostly grounded Tuesday due to dangerous conditions caused by a powerful windstorm in the region.

Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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