⁍ Los Angeles County has seen its average number of new daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 rise from 900 to 1,200.

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⁍ Health officials say it’s highly likely that fans gathering to watch the games and then taking to the streets to celebrate contributed to the surge.

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⁍ More than 1,000 people swarmed the area around Staples Center to celebrate the Lakers’ clinching win in Game 6.

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– With the Dodgers one win away from the World Series and the Lakers one win away from their second title in three years, Los Angeles County health officials say it’s no surprise that the H1N1 virus has jumped from an average of 900 cases per day in early October to 1,200 cases per day as of Monday, USA Today reports. “It is highly likely that gatherings to watch and/or celebrate the Lakers, along with any other gatherings that occurred 2-3 weeks ago where people weren’t wearing face coverings and were in close contact with each other, contributed to the rise in LA County cases,” the county’s Department of Health said in a statement. The Lakers’ clinching win in Game 6 on Oct. 11 didn’t have a traditional victory parade or public celebration because of concerns about the virus. “As fans continue to watch and celebrate the mighty LA sport teams, we are mindful that if individuals are not adhering to the health officer order requirements of distancing, infection control, and masking, cases will continue to rise which, unfortunately, not only leads to increased illness and deaths, but also slows down our recovery journey,” the health department said.