When might Southern California reach COVID herd immunity?

A person is vaccinated by the U.S. military at the opening of the country's first federal and state operated community vaccination site during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 16, 2021.

A person is vaccinated by the U.S. military at the opening of the country's first federal and state operated community vaccination site during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 16, 2021. Photo by REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths have all been declining in LA County. Dr. George Rutherford, professor of epidemiology at UC San Francisco, says cases in Southern California are dropping quickly because of naturally acquired immunity from so many infections, and people are wearing masks and social distancing.

“The rollout of vaccines has sort of tipped the balance. And I think we're going to continue to see this as long as things don't go wrong,” he adds.

Rutherford also says teenagers should be the focus of vaccinations because they’re most likely to transit COVID-19.

From this Episode:

Credits

Host:

Madeleine Brand

Producers:

Sarah Sweeney, Angie Perrin, Michell Eloy, Amy Ta, Rosalie Atkinson, Brian Hardzinski, Bennett Purser