Compliance with Masking Critical to Prevent Delta Spread

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Aug 31 – As the highly transmissible Delta variant spreads, compliance with masking requirements at businesses is critical to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) prevention strategy. Masks are required in indoor public spaces and outdoor mega events, regardless of vaccination status.

Public Health inspectors continue to visit businesses across the county every day to ensure compliance with required safety measures and masking guidelines, provide technical assistance, and respond to complaints of non-compliance. Between July 1 and August 27, Public Health inspectors visited 7,833 restaurants, 102 bars, 1,895 food markets, 274 hotels, 282 gyms and fitness centers, 633 hair salons or barber shops, 353 food manufacturing plants, 1,522 personal care businesses, 20 shopping malls, 136 retail stores, 131 office sites, and 9 outdoor venues with a capacity for more than 10,000 people, among other businesses. Overall, the inspections revealed very good compliance with masking requirements and only 22 citations were issued to businesses, including gyms, restaurants, and office sites, for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders.

Non-compliance at businesses can contribute to increased risk of workplace outbreaks and community transmission when COVID-19 spreads among employees and customers. Violations of safety requirements and dangerous conditions can be reported anonymously to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Today, Public Health confirms 33 new deaths and 1,938 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 33 new deaths reported today, 10 people who passed away were over the age of 80, four people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 10 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and seven people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. Two deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach. To date, Public Health identified 1,407,317 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 25,284 deaths.

There are 1,709 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 26% of these people are in the ICU.

Testing results are available for more than 8,122,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 2.5%, a decrease from last week’s same-day rate of 2.8%. This likely reflects the increases in routine screening testing, which occurs primarily among asymptomatic people.

“I give my deepest condolences to those who are grieving the loss of a friend, neighbor, coworker, or loved one at this time. Our hearts are with you today and always,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “Over the last few weeks and months, as we have issued revisions and modifications to guidelines that affect so many aspects of our lives, we’ve heard from people all over our L.A. County community who are frustrated by the changes in our guidance, and sometimes confused by recommendations that seem to contradict their expectations, or interfere with what they were hoping would be a return to a more normal way of life. The reality is that the recent changes we make to our guidance are all tied to the Delta variant, which changed what we know about COVID-19. And as the science on COVID-19 has changed, we have been forced to adapt our guidance on how we keep each other safe. We will continue to follow the science and the data in the guidance we create to help keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, and when we need to make changes, we will do our best to explain why.”

Public Health encourages everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. Many vaccination sites across the county, including all the County-run sites, are also offering third doses of vaccine to eligible immunocompromised people.

Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and www.VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish) to find a vaccination site near you, make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more. 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.

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.