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The new rule requires everyone to wear masks in indoor public spaces regardless of their immunization status, and goes into effect at 11:59 p.m.
The county reported 1,827 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 more deaths on Saturday, with health officials attributing the recent spike to the presence of the more infectious Delta variant and the mix of unmasked individuals whose vaccine status is unknown .
The positivity rate for the daily tests on Saturday was 3.7%. On July 4 it was close to 1.5% and on June 15 the test positivity was close to 0.5%.
The number of people hospitalized in Los Angeles County with the virus rose from 462 on Friday to 507, while the number of those intensive care patients remained at 103, according to state figures.
Mask warrant: LA County reorders indoor face coverings as COVID cases rise
The latest figures brought the cumulative total for the entire pandemic to 1,266,227 cases and 24,579 deaths, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
“With the increased mix of unmasked people with unknown vaccine status, millions of people still unvaccinated, and the increased circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant, we are seeing a rapid increase in COVID-19 infection. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said, “The level of COVID-19 transmission we are currently experiencing is now leading to a significant increase in serious illness and hospitalizations, and forcing us to take action to prevent the erosion of our recovery efforts.
“And while vaccinations are by far the most powerful tool we have, we are nowhere near herd immunity. As we continue our efforts to increase immunization coverage and build confidence in vaccines , the simplest and most effective public health measure to add is to require everyone to wear a mask in all indoor public places and businesses. For those of us already vaccinated, we have been required for some time. months of continuing to wear masks in many other public places, including all public transport, all health care This was done in recognition that vaccines, while extraordinarily effective, are not perfect and that we continue to have an obligation to reduce risk as much as possible. ”
Not everyone in the county agrees with the new mandate.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said on Friday his MPs would not actively enforce the mask-wearing mandate, insisting his department is underfunded. He also said that the requirement for vaccinated people to wear masks “is not supported by science and contradicts guidelines from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
County supervisor Kathryn Barger, the only Republican on the five-member supervisory board, also criticized the tenure for violating federal and state masking rules. She also said the mask’s mandate would not help the county’s efforts “to highlight the effectiveness of vaccines and force unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated.”
Why is LA County reimposing the mask mandate? COVID positivity rate increased 700% in one month
“By moving away from the state, we create confusion and disagreement at the local level, which undermines public trust and takes away our main message which should be to encourage individuals to get vaccinated urgently. given the spread of the Delta variant, ”said Barger. mentionned.
Other board members Hilda Solis, Janice Hahn and Sheila Kuehl spoke in favor of the mandate.
“The county has chosen a reasonable response given that virtually everyone agrees that it is unrealistic to require proof of vaccination status before entering buildings,” Kuehl said. risk. Until we can again reduce community transmission and get more Angelenos vaccinated, we must all participate and avoid providing breeding grounds for even more variants. ”
Hahn echoed this sentiment, saying on Twitter: “Right now unvaccinated people are required to wear masks indoors – but they are not and they are spreading this virus to other people. unvaccinated.
Solis said on Saturday the new face covering rule did not amount to another lockdown.
“I want to stress that this indoor mask requirement does not prevent us from enjoying all the great activities that we have available with the reopening of the county,” she said. “We can still go out and shop indoors, supporting our local restaurants through the indoor dining areas, watching a good movie and so much more.”
The cover-up warrant was announced Thursday by county health official Dr Muntu Davis. “We are not where we need to be for the millions of people at risk of infection here in Los Angeles County, and waiting to do something would be too late given what we are seeing now,” Davis said. .
Davis said the rate of the virus’s spread in the county has officially risen from moderate to substantial, with infections five times more likely to occur in unvaccinated residents.
Sheriff Villanueva will not enforce county’s new mask ordinance, says “not backed by science”
The county previously only recommended that people wear a mask indoors in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus and protect unvaccinated residents. Unvaccinated people have always been required to wear masks indoors, although the app was left to individual business owners and was generally on the honor system.
The masking order will remain in place “until we see improvements” in the event of transmission, he said.
When asked if the county might consider re-implementing other health restrictions – such as capacity limits and physical distancing, Davis said: “It’s all on the table if things continue to move forward. to get worse.”
The warrant means customers will once again have to disguise themselves when entering any indoor public facility, including retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants and workplaces. Davis said meals inside will remain open, but customers will have to remain masked while they are not eating or drinking.
Meanwhile, a Sierra Madre gymnasium is asking members to provide proof of vaccination.
As of Monday, Sierra Health and Fitness is only allowing members who have been vaccinated. The owner said she was making the change to protect both members and workers.
“I have to do it because people trust me. We are in the healthcare business and we have to keep everyone safe,” said owner Sandy Duvall. “We’ve never had an escape here, and I don’t think we can move forward in the economy unless small businesses come together and do it.”
The city of Long Beach, which has its own separate county health department, announced Thursday night that it would align with the county and also require everyone to wear an indoor mask. In a statement, Long Beach officials said the city had seen a 288% increase in the average number of daily cases over the past two weeks. The city’s average daily rate of new cases rose to 7.5 per 100,000 residents, from an average of just one per 100,000 residents on June 15.
Pasadena, which also has its own health agency, has not aligned with the county and will continue to recommend only masking indoors. But the city is monitoring “rates of COVID cases in Pasadena and examining options for a warrant.”
City News Service contributed to this report.
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