One more active tuberculosis case discovered but risk to public remains low, city health officer says
The city declared a health emergency in May after nine people were hospitalized and one died; health officials have fallen short of screening and treatment goals due to staffing problems.
Since Long Beach officials first announced a public health emergency to address an outbreak of tuberculosis, one more person with active TB has been discovered, bringing the total to 15 cases, city Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis said this week.
The City Council on Tuesday voted to continue the state of emergency as the health department works to find and screen people who may have been exposed and provide treatment to people with latent cases. Those goals have been hampered by what a report to the council called a “dire staffing shortage.”
