May 23, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

New CDC Director Calls for Updated Vaccinations Amidst Hospitalization Surge

BA.2.86 Variant on the Horizon, New Booster May Be Available Next Week

By Dolores Quintana

In a recent call with reporters, the newly sworn-in Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mandy Cohen, has called upon Americans to get the updated COVID-19 vaccination when the new one becomes publicly available. This appeal comes in light of a concerning rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Cohen endeavored to provide context to the surge, highlighting that the current COVID-19 hospitalization rate is approximately half of what it was at the same time last year. According to CDC data, COVID-19 hospitalizations have been steadily climbing over the past few weeks, reaching 15,067 cases for the week ending on August 19th, marking an 18.8 percent increase from the previous week. 

Comparatively, at this point last year, the United States was grappling with an average of over 84,000 weekly hospitalizations. Remarkably, more than 96 percent of U.S. counties are currently witnessing low COVID-19 hospitalization figures, with fewer than 10 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 individuals. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that the CDC’s ability to track COVID-19 cases has been hampered due to diminished data tracking capabilities resulting from the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Anticipated to be available in the second week of September, the latest updated COVID-19 vaccines are designed to combat the current predominant strain of the virus. Cohen has suggested that the next booster shot is likely to become an annual regimen. 

Despite the impending availability of this new vaccine in time for the fall and winter respiratory virus season, the likelihood that Americans will take the new booster seems less likely. Last year, only 17 percent of eligible Americans received their free COVID-19 booster shots, according to CDC statistics.

Epidemiologists are closely monitoring a newly identified, highly mutated lineage of the virus, referred to as BA.2.86, which the World Health Organization has recently designated as a “variant under monitoring.” This variant boasts a greater number of mutations compared to previous omicron subvariants and may possess an increased ability to evade existing immunity.

in News
<>Related Posts

Resilient Palisades Named Nonprofit of the Year by Sen. Ben Allen

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Volunteer-led group honored for climate resilience work and wildfire recovery efforts Resilient Palisades, a grassroots environmental organization based in Pacific...

Governor Announces Early Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway After Wildfire Closures

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Major Stretch of PCH Reopens May 23 After Months of Wildfire-Related Closures Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that State Route...

Film Review: Final Destination: Bloodlines

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

FILM REVIEWFINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINESRated R110 MinutesReleased May 16th  This is the sixth entry in the Final Destination movie franchise that...

Bay Cities Deli Temporarily Closed After Health Violations

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Eleven violation points were attributed to the presence of rodents and insects Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery, a popular...

Man Arrested in Stabbing Near Santa Monica Pier

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Victim hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following altercation A man was arrested after allegedly stabbing another man during an altercation near...

Exclusive Interview with Cardinale du Vin’s New Chef-in-Residence Paul Chuanchaisit

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Westside Wine Bar Expands Its Culinary Horizons With a Bold New Menu By Dolores Quintana Cardinale du Vin is...

Palisades Bakery Aids Displaced Residents with Deliveries, Cookbook Donations After Fire

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The bakery’s relief effort is aimed at ensuring that displaced residents continue to have access to familiar foods during recovery...

Memorial Day Weekend in L.A.: Rosé, Beach BBQs, and Brunches Ring in the Summer

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The Westside Is Packed With Culinary Events, Pop-Ups, and Parties This Weekend Angelenos looking to kick off the summer season...

Summer at Annenberg Beach House to Include Sunset Picnics, Yoga Classes and the Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The Beach House, located on the former Marion Davies estate, remains free and open to the public The Annenberg Community...

(Video) Interview with Chef Roy Choi for his new book The Choi of Cooking

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

We speak with the world-famous Socal Chef in Manhattan Beach at the Los Angeles Public Library.

FDA Probes Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Recalled Cucumbers Distributed in California

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

At Least 26 People Sickened and 9 Hospitalized in Multiple States  Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of...

10th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street Comes to Santa Monica This Weekend

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Annual board game-inspired food event set for Sunday, May 25 The 10th annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street will...

Michelin Three Star Institution Brings 20th Anniversary Culinary Experience to Beverly Hills

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Grant Achatz’s Alinea Heads to Beverly Hills for Summer Residency Renowned chef Grant Achatz and his team at Alinea, Chicago’s Michelin...

$2.2M Awarded to LA County for Wildfire Prevention Ahead of 2025 Fire Season

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The grants mark the first disbursement of funds from Proposition 4, a bond measure that provides millions for wildfire resilience...

(Video) Classic Cars and Hot Rods Showcased During Santa Monica Pier’s Locals Night

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

It Was The Last Locals Night of the Season It Was The Last Locals Night of the Season. pic.twitter.com/mUo6hMJpPZ —...