Los Angeles is being severely affected by a post-Thanksgiving increase in Cases of covid-19, while Americans across the country come together to Christmas despite health warnings.
The city has seen a fourfold increase in the number of cases, with patients dying at a rate of one every ten minutes in Los Angeles County.
The news comes at a time when millions of Americans show no signs that they will listen to health officials and ring in the new year safely, and the number of coronavirus cases in the United States is pushing doctors and nurses to the limit.
More than 7 million people cleared the Transportation Security Administration for flights departing US airports the week before Christmas, reports Michael George of CBS News.
The number is less than half the number of travelers in 2019, but it still exceeded the volume of Thanksgiving trips, the previous record since the beginning of the pandemic.
“If what happens during the winter break is the same as what happened or even half of what happened on Thanksgiving, we are in serious trouble,” warned Los Angeles County public health worker Dr. Barbara Ferrer .
Dr. Stephen Patterson, who works at a hospital near Riverside, said the increase in cases also saw a significant change in patient demographics.
“We are still seeing a large number of individuals who are part of our vulnerable populations – the elderly, those with chronic diseases,” said Patterson. “But, we are also seeing people who are in their 20s and 30s and early 40s.”
While the new vaccines have shown promise in the fight against the pandemic, Patterson urged Americans to think about their daily actions and their effects.
“Think about the decisions you make – ‘Will I take off my mask here or decide that I would like to go out to eat here’ and that kind of thing, which can increase the risk that you can bring that home to your family yourself or that you could take home to a loved one, “he said.