Covid-19 spread

“Once you get behind the eight ball, it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle,” one epidemiologist said.

Public health officials in Los Angeles County have begun testing patients for a new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus that’s being reported in Europe.

The new strain is believed to be more contagious than the current strain. Mekhalo Medina reported on NBC4 News on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020.

Testing remains a critical tool to help limit the spread of coronavirus. Long lines were seen at testing sites ahead of Christmas day while most were closed Friday. Mekahlo Medina reports for the NBC4 News on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020.

As we all navigate the new normal of COVID-19, shaming those who don’t abide by strict safety rules may be less productive than you think. Infectious disease expert Jessica Malaty Rivera from the COVID Tracking Project says that instead of shaming, a better strategy is giving people the facts they need to make informed decisions.

Less than two weeks ago, a Ventura County man says he was the only COVID-19 patient in the ICU, now he is witnessing the surge right from his own hospital bed. Hetty Chang reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2020.

Millions of people traveled this Thanksgiving weekend. If you were one of them, you should know what to do once you’re home to avoid possibly accelerating the spread of COVID-19 in your community. LX News host breaks down the CDC guidance.

After the Aragonez family of Arlington, Texas, had a birthday gathering earlier this month, 15 members contracted COVID-19, including one who was hospitalized. Now the family is going viral for a PSA that warns other families to learn from their mistake. Alexa Aragonez joined LX News to share their message.

With multiple effective vaccines on the way, Johns Hopkins’ Dr. Joshua Sharfstein says this winter season will be the “last big battle” we face against COVID-19, but that winning the fight and saving lives will require a redoubled effort by everyone.

Health officials fear that many are not going to take the proper precautions for the holidays and case numbers will keep spiking for the next few weeks or even months. Kim Tobin reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Nov. 22, 2020.

Regardless of what your holiday plans are, this will be a Thanksgiving like none other. Here are are few tips to get your through the holidays safely and COVID-19 free.

Thanksgiving approaches and COVID-19 cases continue to surge in LA County. There is 3,061 new positive cases reported and hospital numbers jumped nearly 50 patients just overnight. Kim Tobin reports for NBC4 News at 9 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2020.

Today we are seeing the highest number of COVID-19 cases since the summer peak in LA County with 3,780 new cases reported. Kim Tobin reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2020.

Health experts recommend Thanksgiving gatherings take place outdoors, or none at all due to significant local growth in COVID-19 cases. Beverly White reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m.

Anticipating the risk of Thanksgiving travel and gatherings triggering another big increase, officials urge gatherings be kept small, and interstate travelers quarantine for 14 days. Patrick Healy reports for NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2020.

An online tool developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology, calculates your odds of encountering someone with COVID-19.

New coronavirus cases in the U.S. have topped 100,000 per day for the past 9 days. LX News was joined by Dr. Dena Grayson, an infectious disease expert, who said you will be putting your family at serious risk by visiting them indoors this Thanksgiving.

With the winter months ahead Dr. Michael Osterholm, a coronavirus advisor to president-elect Biden, suggests a nationwide shutdown saying the country is headed toward “COVID hell.” Hetty Chang reports for NBC4 News at 11 p.m.

An online tool developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology, calculates your odds of encountering someone with COVID-19. Patrick Healy reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Nov. 12, 2020.

NBCLX storyteller Clark Fouraker breaks down a UCLA study that says wearing a cloth mask can reduce droplet transmission up to 77% and is the best way to keeps ourselves and others safe from contracting COVID-19.