LA County downgrades COVID-19 transmission rates to 'medium'

Los Angeles County has moved back down to "medium" COVID-19 transmission rates as cases continue their downward trend, officials said.

The move decreases the chance of the region reimplementing its indoor mask mandate. 

On Dec. 20, officials said there were 2,186 new cases, 21 new deaths and 1,251 hospitalizations.

However, on Dec. 21, officials reported 3,090 cases and a positivity rate of 11.4%. Additionally, officials said that 1,274 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 and 23 people in the past 24 hours. 

On Dec. 22, cases dropped slightly to 3,084. Hospitalizations followed the same slight trend, dropping to 1,256. On the other hand, deaths rose to 25.

Despite the drop in transmission levels, officials asked residents to stay vigilant as deaths have increased and hospital rates are higher than the summer surge.