Importance of Masking Indoors as COVID-19 Transmission Increases

Community transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County has increased to a moderate level and may continue to increase unless everyone consistently and proactively takes steps to reduce their risk of infection and the spread of COVID-19.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed 1,315 new cases of COVID-19. This is the sixth consecutive day where more than 1,000 new cases have been reported. Of the new cases reported today, 220 are from two days of reporting from the City of Long Beach.

There are 398 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized; an increase from the 275 hospitalizations reported last Wednesday.

Today’s test positivity rate is 3.7%, an increase from last week’s rate of 2.3%.

People are more likely to get infected and spread the virus when in indoors, where the virus is transmitted through the air and concentrates. Consistent and correct mask use by people indoors adds a layer of protection and can reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

At the current number of daily new cases and with continued circulation of the more easily spread Delta variant of this virus, Public Health strongly urges everyone, as a proactive and precautionary measure, to wear masks when in any indoor setting or business where vaccination verification is not required and the vaccination status of others is unknown.

As a reminder, people who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks at all indoor public settings and businesses.

Other proactive measures include washing your hands often, getting vaccinated if you can, and, if you are sick, stay away from others and get checked.

Due in part to their high COVID-19 vaccination rates, cases at skilled nursing facilities remain significantly lower than cases reported during late-December when more than 2,532 people tested positive for COVID-19 in a week; 1,423 cases among residents and 1,109 cases among staff. For the week ending July 4, nearly 25,000 COVID-19 tests were completed among skilled nursing facility staff and residents and 24 people tested positive for COVID-19; 5 new cases among residents and 19 new cases among staff. Currently, 84% of skilled nursing facility staff and 84% of skilled nursing facility residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

To date, Public Health identified 1,261,068 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,563 deaths. Of the nine new deaths reported today, three people that passed away were over the age of 80, two people who passed were between the ages of 65 and 79, one person who passed was between the ages of 50 and 64, and three people who passed were between the ages of 30 and 49. Testing results are available for more than 7,134,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive.

"We wish healing and peace to the families and friends grieving a loved one who passed away from or is hospitalized with COVID-19,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, County Health Officer. “While 61% of eligible County residents 16 and older are fully vaccinated, we have millions of L.A. County residents who have not been or are not eligible to be vaccinated, including 1.3 million children under 12 years of age. If you are not vaccinated, consider getting your vaccination now to increase protection for you and for those who can’t be vaccinated. Wearing a face mask when the vaccination status of the people you are around is unknown can help prevent transmission. The best way to reduce your risk of infection and, if infected, serious illness from COVID-19 is to be fully vaccinated against it.”

As the start of school year nears, Public Health encourages everyone unvaccinated against COVID-19 to get fully vaccinated. If you begin your two-dose series for the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines this week, it may allow enough time to be fully protected by the start of the school year depending on the school. For all of the COVID-19 vaccines, you are only considered fully protected two weeks after all doses are complete.

Through Thursday, at County-run vaccination sites, LA City sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites, everyone 18 and older coming to get a vaccine will have an opportunity to win one of seven packages of concert tickets. Prizes will include tickets to see Celine Dion, Grupo Firma, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, and Dan and Shay at Staples Center, and box seats to four classical concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Official rules and participating site locations are posted online on the Los Angeles Vaccination Sweepstakes page. Winners will be contacted by phone and/or email.

Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. To find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment, connecting to free transportation to and from a vaccination site, or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.

COVID-19 Sector Protocols, Best Practices, COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Recovery Dashboard, and additional actions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website, www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.