Los Angeles County continues to (dubiously) seek higher and higher ground when it comes to COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates (Figures below) This week, we have 3.7 times more cases than we did over the summer. Mortality rates reached a new high at 0.53 daily deaths per 100,000 population – the previous maximum was 0.44 in late July. Not sure there is any good news here as the County reported significant delays and backlogs in testing. Although the slope of this week’s curve flattens slightly compared to the week prior, it may simply be due to under-reporting. Hospitals and ICUs are swamped. And yet another round of holiday travel is upon us.