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LA County Continues To See COVID-19 Surge, Doctor Says Not Getting Vaccine Reckless

MONTCLAIR (CBSLA) — Authorities Sunday reported 2,089 new cases of COVID-19 as the county continues to see a surge.

In addition to the reported new cases, the county reported four new deaths and 716 people currently hospitalized. Officials added that these are preliminary numbers that will be adjusted Monday due to reporting delays over the weekend.

These numbers come amid an ongoing increase of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant.

Health officials said that unvaccinated residents are likely the cause for the resurgence of new infections because of how quickly the highly contagious Delta variant spreads.

Dr. Victor Waters, an ER doctor at Dignity Health Saint Bernadine Medical Center, said that not getting the vaccine is the definition of reckless behavior.

"You consciously know, you know that this is unsafe conduct to others and yourself for risk of death, and yet you consciously disregard...you knowingly disregard that risk to yourself and potentially others. That's recklessness and that's where we are today," Waters said. "Now, before was different. You didn't know much about it, there were safety concerns, there wasn't access to the vaccine. There's no excuse now."

Dr. Waters also said he does see a reason for vaccine mandates for healthcare workers, but beyond that, he's still supports continuing education and outreach as a way to convince people to get the vaccine on their own.

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