Daily cases top 500 again

Los Angeles County health officials urge caution during the July 4 holiday weekend

Another 549 COVID-19 infections were reported in Los Angeles County on Friday, the largest number since April and the second consecutive day the figure has topped 500, prompting more calls for residents to get vaccinated and exercise caution over the Fourth of July weekend.

The rolling average rate of people testing positive for the virus also continued inching upward in the county, although the figure still remains very low at just 1.3%. That’s up from 1.2% on Thursday but is more than four times the 0.03% rate reported by the county in early June.

Hospitalizations because of COVID-19 dipped slightly on Friday, with state figures showing 275 virus patients in the county, down from 280 Thursday. There were 72 patients in intensive care because of COVID-19, down from 74 on Thursday.

“Whenever we see a doubling of cases and a quadrupling of test positivity over a short period of time, we are reminded of how easily the virus can spread,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. “The three vaccines we have in the U.S. provide powerful protection against serious illness, and death from all the variants, and the commonly circulating virus.

“While the most important thing is to get vaccinated, it is sensible when you go indoors to a place and you don’t know everyone’s vaccination status, to put on a face covering to maximize protection for everyone. If you are not fully vacci