NEW YORK, July 8: As summer travel ramps up, Los Angeles County is seeing a concerning uptick in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, with reports indicating that some individuals experiencing reinfection are facing more severe symptoms than in previous bouts.

Currently, there are no indications that the latest coronavirus variants are causing more severe illness on a national or statewide level. Despite this, COVID hospitalizations in L.A. County have surpassed last year's figures for the same period, although they remain below the peak seen in the relatively mild summer of 2023.

Medical experts have cautioned that while subsequent COVID infections are often milder than initial cases, they can still lead to severe illness. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases expert from UC San Francisco, emphasized the unpredictable nature of COVID outcomes, likening each infection to "playing COVID roulette."

Anecdotal reports, including on social media platforms, reflect a range of experiences with the virus's latest subvariants, dubbed FLiRT. Many individuals describe unexpectedly severe symptoms, such as recurring fever, intense sinus pressure, and debilitating headaches, prompting concerns over the evolving nature of COVID's impact.

Some individuals who had avoided COVID for over four years have recently contracted the virus, citing experiences of severe symptoms akin to flu-like conditions. Others, however, have reported milder subsequent infections, contrasting with more severe cases observed among some individuals.

Studies, such as a 2022 report in Nature Medicine, suggest that repeat COVID infections may pose heightened risks, including increased medical complications and hospitalizations. Despite declining rates of long COVID, health professionals caution that each infection carries a risk of developing this syndrome.

Experts attribute the varying severity of subsequent COVID illnesses to factors such as changes in viral variants and waning immune responses over time, particularly in individuals who have not received recent vaccinations.

In response to the rising cases, L.A. County has witnessed an increase in daily reported COVID cases and hospitalizations. Efforts to monitor the virus's spread through wastewater analysis indicate stable viral levels compared to previous peaks, yet positive test rates across California have surged recently.

Health officials continue to urge vaccination as a crucial tool in combating severe COVID illness, highlighting the importance of staying updated with booster shots to enhance immunity against evolving variants.

As COVID remains a persistent concern, adherence to preventive measures—including testing and mask-wearing—remains critical in minimizing transmission and protecting vulnerable populations.