LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles County reported 34,448 new positive COVID-19 tests and 16 additional deaths associated with the virus Jan. 8, amid an accelerated surge in transmission driven by the Omicron variant. The county has seen more than 200,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past 7 days, the highest number in one week since the beginning of the pandemic. “As the surge continues, we ask residents and businesses to continue following the public health safety measures that we know reduce spread and keep people safe,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Saturday. “This includes wearing a medical grade mask that is more protective against the Omicron variant and not spending time around others who are unmasked. These upgraded masks can be a surgical mask or an N95 or KN95 respirator mask.” Officials also urged residents to reconsider attending high-risk activities, including indoor activities where individuals are unmasked for long periods …