L.A. Surpasses 1 Million Coronavirus Circumstances; Officers Determine First Case Of U.Okay. Pressure – .

Los Angeles County, which has become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, has reached its grossest milestone to date as officials confirm a total of more than 1 million cases of Covid-19.

The county continues its trend of at least 100,000 new cases per week, with a total of 1,003,923 cases to date in LA. Saturday’s numbers confirm 14,669 new Covid-19 cases and 253 new deaths, bringing LA to a total of 13,741 deaths.

To date, 7,597 people have been hospitalized, with 22% of patients being treated in the intensive care unit.

In addition to the latest count, Los Angeles public health officials have confirmed the first case of the UK coronavirus variant B.1.1.7. The differential strain that led to the UK being re-locked is more contagious, officials say.

Although Saturday may mark the first reported occurrence of the strain in Los Angeles County, the new coronavirus strain had already made its way through southern California, including San Diego and San Bernadino. Earlier this month, officials confirmed two new cases of the more contagious variant in the Big Bear area. The strain had previously been found in Colorado, which is the first US case of the Covid-19 variant.

The CDC warns that the presence of B.1.1.7 in total Covid-19 cases can mark a new phase of “exponential growth”.

While the introduction of vaccines may be a glimmer of hope given the surge in numbers and the look and feel of the new B.1.1.7 variant, officials warn that LA County may see darker days.

“Current projections by the experts predict that if left unchecked, this variant could dominate the scene by March,” said Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles director of public health, on Friday.

Public Health Announces First Confirmed Case Of UK Variant Of Coronavirus As Los Angeles County Tops 1 Million Cases; 253 new deaths and 14,669 new positive cases from # COVID19. Further information can be found at https://t.co/iIME3A7PAg. pic.twitter.com/smSgaOsk0N

– LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) January 16, 2021