Los Angeles County Revives Indoor Mask Mandate Regardless of COVID Vaccination Status

Los Angeles County will reimpose its indoor mask mandate for both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Fox News reported that Los Angeles County's health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, announced the plan during a virtual briefing with reporters on Thursday, July 15.

The reimposing of the indoor mask mandate came after Los Angeles County encouraged their residents in late June to wear face coverings, especially in public indoor places.

Indoor Mask Mandate Resumption in Los Angeles County

According to Davis, the requirement to wear face masks was scheduled to take effect on July 17 at 11:59 p.m. Davis noted that the order and its full guidance would be published not later than Friday, July 16.

NBC News reported that exceptions for the mask mandate would apply, but details were still not clear.

"We're requiring masking for everyone while indoors at public settings and businesses, regardless of vaccination status," LA Public Health said in a statement.

The agency further noted that the indoor masking would be reimposed to curb the increasing number of COVID transmissions.

Davis said the county became the "place of substantial transmission" based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria, as the county recorded more than 1,500 new infections on July 15, Reuters reported.

As of July 14, Los Angeles saw nearly 400 people hospitalized due to COVID-19, with nine new deaths related to the notorious disease.

"We're not where we need to be for the millions at risk of infection here in Los Angeles County, and waiting to do something will be too late, given what we're seeing," Davis said.

Davis further noted that the situation right now in the county was different from that of June 15. The county's health officer underscored that everything is "on the table" if things get worse.

Apart from Los Angeles, other California counties also reimposed their mask mandates, such as Sacramento and Yolo. Reuters reported that Fresno County also recommended wearing face masks indoors even by people who are vaccinated.

"Everyone, including those who are vaccinated, should be aware of the high-risk situation, including being indoors, in crowds, and around unvaccinated and unmasked individuals," said Dr. John Zweifler, a public health physician from Fresno.

Vaccine Hesitancy Exacerbates COVID Cases, Los Angeles County Health Officer Says

Davis said the pandemic was worsened by those who remained hesitant against the COVID-19 vaccine. In Los Angeles alone, Davis noted that under four million residents remain unvaccinated.

"It's just disappointing that overall vaccination numbers are lower than we need them to be," Davis said.

Across the country, NBC News cited health officials saying that young unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19 were showing in hospitals in disturbing numbers.

The outlet also reported that the CDC said that vaccination rates among younger people were lower than the older Americans.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written By: Joshua Summers

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