Omicron Latest: 'It's Going To Lead To A Large Number Of Cases'

By CBSLA Staff, CBS Los Angeles:

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – With the reported finding of the seventh positive case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, new health concerns are being raised across the Southland.

Public health experts have warned that the nation is near a fifth surge in the Coronavirus pandemic, especially as we head into the cooler winter weather and large family gatherings for the holiday season.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that numbers had dropped from those reported on Saturday, but were still high enough for concern. 698 people were hospitalized, down from 707 on Saturday, with 179 of those patients in intensive care, again down from the Saturday total of 182. 1,460 new cases were still reported, with five additional deaths. In the past, the county has stated that weekend numbers are traditionally lower due to lack of reporting.

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