Southern California seeing new rise in COVID cases with contagious variant FLiRT

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Southern California saw a surge in COVID-19 cases over the summer as many residents began to let their guard down about safe behaviors.

Is this fuelling a surge in infections?

As a caregiver, Englewood resident Tracy Benson is very concerned about her mother’s health, and while she has been trying to keep her mom safe from COVID-19 for a long time, it’s becoming increasingly difficult.

“We continue to respond, but I think other companies should join in and do the same and not let their guard down too much,” Benson said.

Doctors say this lax attitude towards COVID could be encouraging the spread of the latest variants. Cheating.

“It’s pretty widespread,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Suman Radhakrishna. Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center.

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

“There are a lot of asymptomatic people walking around. They’re hugging each other, kissing each other, sharing food,” she said.

California’s wastewater has reached “very high” levels of COVID-19 for the first time since last winter, according to the CDC, and Los Angeles County health officials said other metrics, including cases and hospitalizations, have doubled in the last month.

Think back to the last time you were at a gathering and someone tested positive: Did you get tested? Did you self-isolate? Doctors say people are forgetting important lessons learned.

“If I test positive, I should tell myself that I am going to stop the infection here and I will isolate myself for the stipulated five days. Everybody has a duty to protect those around them so we should play our role,” Radhakrishna said.

Besides these measures, vaccination remains our best weapon and summer could be a good time to boost your immunity, said Dr Radhakrishna.

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

This is especially true for vulnerable populations.

“It remains a very bad situation for those who are immunocompromised. And it remains a very bad situation for those who are suffering from an infectious disease as well,” Radhakrishna said.

For her mother’s sake, Benson wants people to continue covering their mouths when they cough, practicing social distancing, getting tested if necessary and getting vaccinated.

“Health is important, not just for you, but for your whole family. It’s really important,” Benson said.