Los Angeles is severely affected by a post-Thanksgiving increase Cases of covid-19, while Americans from across the country gather Christmas despite health warnings.
The city has seen a four-fold increase, with patients dying at a rate of one every ten minutes in Los Angeles County.
The news comes when millions of Americans show no sign that they will heed health officials and ring the new year safely, and the number of coronavirus cases in the United States is pushing doctors and nurses to the limit.
In the week leading up to Christmas, more than 7 million people authorized the Security Administration to fly flights outside U.S. airports, according to CBS News’ Michael George.
The number is less than half the number of travelers in 2019, but it still exceeds the volume of Thanksgiving trips, the highest previous record since the pandemic began.
“If what happened during the winter holidays is the same as what happened or even half of what happened during the Thanksgiving holidays, we are in deep trouble,” warned Dr. Barbara Ferrer, responsible for public health in Los Angeles County.
Dr. Stephen Patterson, who works at a nearby Riverside hospital, said the increase in cases also meant a significant change in patient demographics.
“We’re still seeing a lot of those people who are part of our vulnerable populations – seniors, with chronic illnesses,” Patterson said. “But, we’re also seeing people who are in their 20s and 30s and early 40s.”
While new vaccines have proven promising in the fight against the pandemic, Patterson urged Americans to think about their day-to-day actions and their effects.
“Think about the decisions you make,‘ I’ll take off my mask here or decide I’d like to go out to eat here ’and these kinds of things that can increase the risk that you yourself could carry? This house for your family or that you could take her to a loved one, ”he said.