Omicron Variant

Los Angeles County reported 10 more COVID-19-related deaths and more than 1,700 new infections on Wednesday, as newly approved vaccine booster shots targeting the omicron variant of the virus started being offered.

Pfizer says tweaking its COVID-19 vaccine to better target the omicron variant is safe and boosts protection.

Coachella was mostly outdoors, but the festival did not require masks or vaccination.

The Justice Department said Wednesday that it would be appealing a ruling which lifted the travel face mask mandate, after the CDC determined masks continue to be necessary for the public good.

Omicron BA.2, also known as “stealth omicron,” has been the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S. since March 2022.

The CDC announced Wednesday that it was extending the national mask requirement for public transportation systems through May 3 as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases in parts of the country.

LA County schools have reported more than a dozen COVID-19 outbreaks at K -12 schools, with the BA.2 subvariant becoming the predominant strain. Lauren Coronado reports April 8, 2022.