The number of COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals continued its gradual decline, dropping by nine people to 446, according to the latest state figures.
Those numbers come one day after local health officials reported 15 more deaths linked to the virus and 1,329 new infections, lifting the county's cumulative totals to 33,811 fatalities and 3,470,848 cases since the pandemic began.
County officials have said that roughly 40% of the COVID-positive hospital patients were admitted specifically for COVID, while the others were hospitalized for other reasons but tested positive upon admission.County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer noted Thursday that the past two winters have seen significant surges in infections, with more people spending time indoors and mingling in areas with reduced ventilation.