With increased respiratory illnesses, Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Health will now require visitors, patients and personnel to wear masks.

The mandate comes as Los Angeles County has gradually seen cases of COVID-19 dip into the “medium” threshold of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) metrics. L.A. Public Health officials recorded an average of 10.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 L.A. residents, so they believed additional measures needed to be taken in healthcare settings.

“During December 2023, the rate of new COVID-19 Hospital Admissions has steadily increased toward the CDC’s Medium Level,” the L.A. County order said. “For the previous 8 months, COVID-19 hospital admissions remained at the CDC’s Low Level. This current increase indicates a higher impact of serious illness from COVID-19 on the community.”

In its most recent COVID-19 update, posted on Jan. 4, L.A. Public Health reported an average of 542 positive cases throughout the county, with 3.4 deaths daily. The numbers only account for cases reported to the county and do not include results from at-home COVID-19 tests.

“Over the past week in Los Angeles County, there have been notable, yet not unexpected, increases in COVID-19 reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths,” L.A. Public Health said in a statement. “While recent increases are significant, they remain considerably below last winter’s peak and common-sense protections are strongly recommended to help curb transmission and severe illness as the new year begins.”

Since the 2020 pandemic, cases of COVID-19 have historically spiked over the winter months, primarily in January. With Angelenos gathering with family and friends during the winter, L.A. Public Health has asked Angelenos to take precautions, wear masks in public indoor areas, and be mindful of those with underlying health conditions.

“To help stem the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, residents should prioritize common-sense precautions to protect themselves and others,” L.A. Public Health said in a Dec. 28 news release. “Stay home if you are sick and test if you have symptoms or were exposed to COVID-19, especially when visiting with people who are more vulnerable to severe illness due to age or underlying health conditions. Wash your hands often and a well-fitted, high-quality mask can help protect against transmission in crowded indoor spaces, including airports, train stations or places with poor ventilation.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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