California exceeded 50,000 deaths from COVID-19, a count that came when Los Angeles County reported an accumulation of more than 800 deaths during the peak of autumn and winter.
The count comes at a time when daily coronavirus cases and deaths from COVID-19 have dropped considerably in recent weeks, although some scientists remain concerned about the potential spread of mutant variants that are more contagious and possibly more lethal. Although California has the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in any state in the nation, it ranks 32nd out of 50 states and the District of Columbia in COVID-19 deaths per capita.
The accumulation of 806 new COVID-19 deaths in LA County, which occurred mainly in December and January, was discovered after extensive checks on death records, said Director of Public Health Barbara Ferrer on Wednesday.
“This was a period, as everyone knows, when there were many deaths across the county. And not all of them have been reported for [the Department of] Public Health because of the volume of records. “
The county typically identifies COVID-19 deaths by daily reports from healthcare professionals. But the county also does an audit of the causes of death listed on death certificates, where the additional 806 were found.
“The 806 deaths reported today reflect the deaths associated with COVID that occurred during the increase and that were not reported to the [the Department of] Public Health through the death report form, but they were identified later through our review of death certificates, and we always do these reviews, ”said Ferrer.
The additional 806 deaths account for about 8% of the new total of COVID-19 deaths in LA County in December and January, she added.
“It is moving to report this large number of additional deaths associated with COVID-19. And it’s a devastating reminder of the terrible tribute that the winter wave has caused to so many families across the county, ”said Ferrer.
News of the discouraging record came as officials investigated a group of four coronavirus cases at USC, two of which were confirmed to be the most contagious and potentially deadliest variant first identified in Britain, B.1.1.7.
The other two cases are still awaiting laboratory confirmation, Ferrer said.
“All of these cases were detected as part of the USC’s routine surveillance and testing program,” she said on Wednesday. “The individuals are well and isolated. Nearby contacts have been identified, notified and are in quarantine. “
Scientific research suggests that the currently available COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the UK variant.
“But with vaccine supply still very limited, local transmission of the potentially most infectious variant in the UK underscores the need for each of our residents to continue to use all the tools we have to prevent transmission,” said Ferrer, ” including not meeting people you don’t live with, distancing yourself and masking whenever you’re away from home and around other people. ”
There are now 18 confirmed cases of the UK variant in LA County; more than 200 in California and more than 1,800 across the country, with 45 states reporting cases.
Another variant of concern, first identified in South Africa, B.1.351, was not identified in LA County, but was identified in the Bay Area, which has the only two confirmed cases in California – one in Santa Clara County and the other in Alameda County. The South African variant has been reported in 46 cases across the country in 14 states.
A variant related to the South African strain, P.1, first identified in Brazil, was not identified in California, but was identified in four states in five people. But another Brazilian strain, P.2., Was identified in a sample from the Bay Area.
This week, researchers at UC San Francisco released new information about California’s homemade variant, called B.1.427 / B.1.429, which includes a worrying mutation called L452R.
New research strongly suggests that the now dominant coronavirus strain in California not only spreads more readily than its predecessors, but also has the ability to prevent antibodies generated by COVID-19 vaccines or previous infection. It is also associated with more serious illness and death.
These attributes left some scientists concerned that the local variant could reverse California’s recent progress in reducing new infections – especially if it is able to exchange mutations with other threatening strains. Experts say this reinforces the need to vaccinate people as quickly as possible and to continue wearing masks, maintaining social distance and following other public health care as the state begins to reopen more.
By the end of next month, the locally grown B.1.427 / B.1.429 strain is likely to be responsible for 90% of coronavirus infections in the state, he said. Dr. Charles Chiu, infectious disease researcher and physician at UC San Francisco.
Ferrer said 40% to 50% of the coronavirus samples sequenced at the LA County public health laboratory since December contain the L452R mutation.
Despite words of caution regarding the variants, authorities continued to offer an optimistic message amid news that a third vaccine, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, could be authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a few days. .
And other vaccines arrived in LA County this week after weather-related distribution delays.
“Although we are still not clear about the supply chain in the next few weeks or two, simple math indicates that we should see more and more supplies in the coming weeks. So get ready, ”said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday. “Hope is literally on the horizon.”
On March 1, educators and childcare workers, food and agriculture officials, police officers and other emergency response professionals not yet qualified for the vaccine can begin taking vaccines in LA County. Qualified people can sign up for appointments starting next week.
Times staff writer Kevin Rector contributed to this report.