Public Health Topics
COVID-19 Updates

LA County:

  • New Los Angeles County COVID-19 Community Guidelines:

    The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the guidelines for what to do when you feel sick, if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you are a close contact. Read more here.  

  • Masking Update for Licensed Healthcare Facilities:

    February 2, 2024 Update: Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has remained in the Low Level. On February 2, the CDC reported 6.7 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people for the week ending Jan. 27. As a result, Public Health is modifying the Health Officer Order that currently requires healthcare personnel and visitors to wear a mask while in contact with patients or working in patient-care areas in licensed healthcare facilities that provide inpatient care. Masking is no longer mandated for all staff and visitors at these facilities. Healthcare personnel in licensed healthcare facilities who have not received both the updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines must continue to wear a mask while in contact with patients or working in patient-care areas for the duration of the respiratory virus season, which ends April 30 for the purposes of this the Health Officer Order. Public Health continues to strongly recommend that all visitors to and staff working in licensed healthcare facilities wear a mask while in contact with patients or working in patient care areas.

  • Masking Requirement in Licensed Healthcare Facilities

    Dec. 27, 2023 Update: Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last week reached Medium Level. Based on the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order posted on December 27, 2023, when the COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level in Los Angeles County meets or exceeds the CDC’s Medium Level, all healthcare personnel, regardless of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status, in Licensed Healthcare Facilities that provide Inpatient Care are required to mask while in contact with patients or working in patient-care areas. In addition, all persons visiting a Licensed Healthcare Facility that provides Inpatient Care are required to mask when around patients and while in patient-care areas. Licensed Healthcare Facilities that provide Inpatient Care are defined as:

    Masking in these facilities will remain in effect until the COVID-19 Hospital Admission Level in Los Angeles County is below the CDC’s Medium Level for at least 14 consecutive days.

    • General Acute Care Hospitals
    • Skilled Nursing Facilities (including Subacute Facilities)
    • Intermediate Care Facilities
    • Congregate Living Health Facilities
    • Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospitals
    • Acute Psychiatric Hospitals
    • Hospice Facilities
  • COVID-19 Vaccine for 2023 Fall/Winter Virus Season: Everyone 6 months and older recommended to get an updated vaccine

    Following federal approval of the updated COVID-19 vaccine and recommendations for the upcoming winter respiratory virus season, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is recommending all Californians stay up to date on the vaccine and get the updated shot when available.

    Vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your chance of suffering the effects of Long COVID, which can develop during or following acute infection and last for an extended duration.  

    WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED:

    WHEN & HOW TO SCHEDULE YOUR UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE: Initial supplies of updated COVID-19 vaccine are expected in California in the coming weeks. For added convenience, COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines can all be administered in the same visit. Schedule a vaccine appointment by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov or contacting your local pharmacy or health care provider.

    HOW TO PAY FOR A COVID-19 VACCINE: COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be free for most Americans through their health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal and regular health care providers.

    • Everyone Age 5 and Up: Everyone 5 years of age and older, regardless of previous vaccination, is eligible to receive a single dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine as long as it’s been at least 2 months since the last dose.
    • Younger Children and Infants: Infants and younger children, 6 months through 4 years of age, who have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 are eligible to receive one or two doses of the updated vaccine. The timing and number of doses depends on the previous COVID-19 vaccine received.
    • Unvaccinated Younger Children and Infants: Unvaccinated infants and younger children, 6 months through 4 years of age, are eligible to receive three doses of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the updated Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

California:

  • With COVID-19 Conditions Improving, State Public Health Leaders Modify Omicron Surge Policies

    As COVID-19 conditions continue to improve across California and the Omicron surge subsides, temporary measures the state had put in place will expire in the coming weeks.

    Additional visitation requirements that took effect on January 7 for long-term care facilities expired February 7. Definitions for indoor and outdoor mega events will return to pre-surge guidance (from 500 to 1,000 attendees for indoor events, and 5,000 to 10,000 attendees for outdoor events) after February 15. The indoor masking requirement will expire after February 15 reverting to the previous guidance which requires masking for unvaccinated individuals in all indoor public settings and required masking for all individuals regardless of vaccination status in higher risk settings like public transit and congregate living. Workplaces will continue to follow the COVID-19 prevention standards set by CalOSHA.

  • The State of California lowered the threshold for what is considered a Mega Event:

    • Events including 500 participants or more are considered Indoor Mega Events (prior threshold was 1,000)
    • Events including 5,000 participants or more are considered Outdoor Mega Events (prior threshold was 10,000)
      This means that all the state requirements for Mega Events now apply to these smaller events, such as checking for proof of full vaccination or recent negative test. Please review the state requirements. The State asks venues to comply immediately, but must be in full compliance by no later than January 15, 2022
  • California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Requires Masking for All Public Indoor Settings
    Beginning December 15, CDPH will require masks to be worn in all indoor public settings irrespective of vaccine status through January 15, 2022, at which point California will make further recommendations as needed in response to the pandemic. 
    Additionally, CDPH updated requirements for attending mega events, like concerts and sporting events. Prior to attending an event, attendees will now require either proof of vaccination, a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event, or a negative PCR test within two days of the event.
    CDPH also issued a new travel advisory effective immediately to recommend that all travelers arriving in California test for COVID-19 within three to five days after arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.  


    United States:

    • COVID-19 Treatment Options: Several free treatment options are available and can be used to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Treatments are available for those who are at increased risk of severe disease, test positive for COVID-19 and have any symptoms, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough). Five therapeutic options have been authorized by the FDA for the treatment of COVID-19 in individuals ages 12 and over who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness:

      Oral Therapeutics (Pills)

      Paxlovid (must be taken within five days of first COVID-19 symptom)

      Molnupiravir (must be taken within five days of first COVID-19 symptom)

      **Oral therapeutic treatments require a prescription from a healthcare provider.

      Monoclonal Antibody Intravenous (IV) and Antiviral Infusions

      Sotrovimab (must be administered within 10 days of first COVID-19 symptom)

      Remdesivir (must be given within seven days of first COVID-19 symptom)

      Evusheld available for people who can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons, or who may not respond well to a vaccine because they have a weak immune system due to a medical condition or treatment. (Must be administered before a person is exposed to COVID-19 to prevent them from getting infected.)

      Los Angeles County residents who would like to access these medicines or have questions on which treatment is right for them should contact their medical provider or call the COVID-19 information line at 833-540-0473, 8 a.m. - 8:30 pm daily.

    • Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

      Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. LEARN MORE

    • Path Out of the Pandemic: President Biden’s COVID-19 Action Plan

      President Biden is implementing a six-pronged, comprehensive national strategy that employs the same science-based approach that was used to successfully combat previous variants of COVID-19 earlier this year. This plan will ensure that we are using every available tool to combat COVID-19 and save even more lives in the months ahead, while also keeping schools open and safe, and protecting our economy from lockdowns and damage. Learn more here.

    Past Updates
    LA County
    • As U.S. Emergency Declarations End, Access to COVID-19 Protections Continues for Los Angeles County Residents

      As the U.S. Public Health Emergency and the National Emergency Declaration for COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023, following the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that COVID-19 is no longer considered a global public health emergency, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) remains committed to ensuring all residents have access to the tools they need to keep community transmission low.

      While the end of the federal states of emergency signals a new phase in the pandemic, COVID-19 continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Los Angeles County, requiring ongoing efforts to reduce severe illness through readily available vaccinations, testing and treatment.

      Fortunately, Los Angeles County residents will see few immediate changes in their access to preventative resources. The federal government will continue to make its supply of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, available to residents at no cost regardless of a person’s insurance coverage.

      In California, new laws require insurance plans, including Medicare or Medi-Cal, to cover the cost of vaccines, testing and Paxlovid for COVID-19 treatment through Nov. 11, 2023. Exact coverage may vary depending on an individual's insurance plan.

      Residents without insurance may receive free at-home test kits or PCR tests for COVID-19 at public health clinics and vaccination sites, at community health centers or purchase tests from a local retailer. People who are uninsured can visit coveredca.com to see if they qualify for Medi-Cal or Covered California coverage.

    • A New COVID-19 Strain has Arrived in Los Angeles County

      The first cases of the newest Omicron strain have been confirmed in Los Angeles County and residents are being asked to watch out for possible new symptoms and take precautions. Reports of conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye,” are being attributed to XBB.1.16, also known as “Arcturus.” People infected with XBB.1.16 may also experience more traditional COVID symptoms, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

      The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts XBB.1.16 accounts for 8% of COVID-19 cases in California and 10% nationally right now.

      Older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions may want to take extra precautions like getting a second bivalent booster, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching their eyes and face, staying home when sick and testing. Those at higher risk of severe illness may also want to consider masking in crowded places.

      Because XBB.1.16 is a descendant of the Omicron variant, current vaccines and therapeutics are highly likely to remain protective and able to ward off severe illness.

      Public Health is offering bivalent vaccines and boosters to eligible residents at no cost, regardless of their insurance or immigration status, at hundreds of locations throughout Los Angeles County. Vaccination locations and appointments can be found at VaccinateLACounty.com or VacunateLosAngeles.com (en español) or by calling 1-833-540-0473.

    • With New COVID-19 Strain Confirmed in Los Angeles County, Residents Advised to Be Aware of Symptoms, Take Precautions

      Update as of April 27, 2023: With the first cases of the newest Omicron strain confirmed in Los Angeles County, residents are being asked to be aware of possible new COVID-19 symptoms, which include conjunctivitis, more commonly known as “pink eye,” and take the same sensible COVID precautions to help avoid infection from the new and likely more communicable XBB.1.16 strain, also known as “Arcturus.”

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed three reported cases of the new strain. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that XBB.1.16 currently accounts for 8% of COVID-19 cases in California and 10% nationally.

      Observational data suggests that people infected with XBB.1.16 may be more likely to experience conjunctivitis as a symptom of their COVID-19 infection, along with more traditional COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Conjunctivitis can be painful and itchy, highly contagious and, if left untreated, can cause damage to the cornea. Historically, conjunctivitis was reported in 1-3% of COVID-19 cases.

      Given limited data, it is too early to know with certainty if XBB.1.16 is truly associated with higher rates of conjunctivitis, amid an already active allergy season in Southern California. However, residents should be aware that itchy, watery or red eyes may be a sign of a COVID-19 infection and these symptoms should not be simply dismissed as a result of pollen or seasonal allergies, especially if someone more vulnerable to severe illness could be exposed. At-home COVID-19 testing is an important tool to use to rule out possible COVID-19. And because untreated conjunctivitis can cause eye damage, those who suspect conjunctivitis should speak with their health care provider.  

    • With New Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance, Public Health Encourages Eligible Residents to Get Bivalent Vaccines, Boosters

      Everyone Ages 6 Months and Older Should Have At Least One Bivalent Vaccine Dose

      Update as of April 21, 2023: Two days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is asking residents, especially older people, to check and make sure they have the most up-to-date protection available, which includes at least one bivalent booster.

      On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the CDC gave adults 65 years and older the option to get a second bivalent booster at least four months after their first dose, resulting in new eligibility for more than 335,000 Los Angeles County residents. They also made a second bivalent booster available to people who are immunocompromised at least two months after their first bivalent booster.

      In addition, the CDC replaced the original monovalent vaccines, formulated for the original COVID-19 strain, an action that took effect this week in Los Angeles County. Anyone not yet vaccinated can now get a single dose of the bivalent booster in place of the multi-dose series for the most up-to-date protection against COVID-19 infection.

    • Effective at 12:01 a.m on Monday, April 03, 2023, the orders of the Health Officer of the County of Los Angeles listed here are rescinded in full:

      1. Responding Together at Work and in the Community Order (Revised order issued September 22, 2022)
      2. Health Care Worker Vaccination Requirement Order (Revised order September 16, 2022)
      3. Access to Diagnostic Testing through Healthcare Facilities Order (Revised August 8, 2020)

      There are two new Health Officer Orders for Reporting Requirements and Masking: 

      The Masking Guidelines HOO becomes effective at 12:01 a.m on Monday, April 03, 2023. 
      This order requires employees who work in Healthcare Facilities and with individuals who are at high-risk to wear a well-fitting mas when providing care to or working in-person with patients, clients, and residents and when in patient care areas in healthcare and direct care settings.  A well-fitting mask is not required to be worn when no patient, client, or resident is present.  

      The Reporting Requirement HOO becomes effective at 12:01 a.m on Monday, April 03, 2023. 
      It continues the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) requirements for the reporting of COVID-19 test results, hospitalizations, deaths, and clusters to LACDPH to allow for ongoing public health surveillance.

    • Los Angeles County Promotes Sensible Strategies to Reduce Dangers Associated with COVID-19

      With the lifting of county, state and federal COVID-19 emergency orders, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) continues to ensure easy access to free vaccines, boosters, tests and therapeutics. With changes in federal and state guidance, Los Angeles County urges residents to maintain sensible precautions to minimize disruptions at worksites, schools and health care facilities caused by COVID-19 outbreaks.

      Most worksites across the county (including schools) must adhere to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CAL/OSHA) requirements which state employers must:

      • Ensure employees that test positive are not at the worksite for at least five days. Employees can return to work between days six through 10 after testing positive if they have not had a fever for a 24-hour period without using fever-reducing medication and other symptoms are resolved or improving. They must wear a mask around others for a total of 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
      • Identify and notify employees who were exposed to someone with COVID-19 during the virus’s infectious period.
      • Make testing available to all employees at no cost who had close contact with an infected person at the workplace.
      • Ensure all employees who had close contact with a known COVID-19 case, and remain at work, take a COVID-19 test within 3-5 days after the close contact in the event of an outbreak.
    • With new COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance in place, the following steps are strongly recommended by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to keep residents who are most at-risk safe:

      • Test to leave isolation. If you have COVID-19, it remains very important to minimize the risk of passing along an infection. This includes testing negative if leaving isolation between days 5 to 10 of your infection (and only if you’re improving and you’ve been fever free for 24-hours without fever-reducing medicine). Testing before leaving isolation before day 10 will make you significantly less likely to infect others.
        • Mask up to leave isolation. After you test negative and leave isolation, please wear a well-fitting mask around others indoors, especially those at higher risk, until day 10. People can be infectious for up to 10 days, and sometimes longer in more severe cases.
      • Mask up and test if exposed. If you are a close contact to someone who tests positive, take steps to prevent exposing others. Test as soon as possible. If negative, test again between 3 and 5 days after your known exposure. While symptoms usually appear in the first 3 to 5 days, they can take up to 10 days to appear, so it is recommended close contacts wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after their last exposure.
      • Know your COVID-19 status. Take an at-home COVID-19 test before gatherings, especially if those at higher risk will be in attendance, so you don’t unknowingly infect others. Free tests can be found at Public Health vaccination sites and clinics, many libraries and schools. Health insurance policies, including Medi-Cal are still required to reimburse each member for up to eight tests a month.

      In addition to taking these sensible steps, everyone who is eligible should receive the updated bivalent booster. This booster, available to ages 6 months and older, has been shown to provide significant protection against hospitalization and death even when compared to individuals who have been fully vaccinated but had not received the updated booster.

    • Los Angeles County Aligns with State on New COVID-19 Guidelines; Local Orders Will Address Enhanced Protections in High-Risk Settings

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced on March 10, 2023 that the County will align with the following new guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH):

      • Masking – With current COVID-19 case and hospitalization levels, masking for the general public is based on individual preference. Vulnerable populations, including people who are elderly, immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions, and those who have contact with them should consider masking in indoor public spaces.
      • Vaccination – On April 3, CDPH will rescind COVID-19 vaccination orders for workers at correctional, detention and adult care facilities.
      • Isolation – Starting March 13, individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should continue to isolate (stay home) for 5 days and may leave isolation after day 5, as long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicines) and they either have no symptoms or their symptoms are mild and improving. A negative COVID-19 test is no longer required to leave isolation between days 6-10. The Department of Public Health strongly recommends that people test negative prior to leaving isolation between days 6-10.

      Infected people should wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days. People may now discontinue wearing a mask around others between days 6-10 if they have two sequential negative tests taken at least one day apart.

      • Quarantine – Starting March 13, it is strongly recommended but not required that a person who is a close contact to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 wears a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings or when near those who are at high risk for severe illness. It is recommended that close contact tests as soon as possible to determine infection status and then, if negative, test again within 3-5 days after the last known exposure.

      The Department of Public Health will continue to assess the impact of COVID-19 and to protect the county’s most vulnerable residents by continuing to require robust COVID-19 case and cluster reporting by worksites, schools and healthcare facilities to the Department of Public Health. The ongoing case and cluster reporting requirements are intended to help Public Health officials quickly identify sectors where there may be increased COVID-19 transmissions and take action to prevent unmitigated spread.

      Public Health will also continue enhanced protective measures in healthcare settings. Specifically, Public Health will continue to require:

      • Healthcare workers to be vaccinated and boosted and wear a mask during patient care or working in patient care areas. This requirement will be re-assessed by the end of September 2023.

      Even with less stringent guidelines, Los Angeles County residents are strongly recommended to stay up to date on vaccines and boosters, test before gatherings, and get treatment and stay home when sick. The updated bivalent booster has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths when compared to individuals who had been vaccinated but had not received the updated booster.

    • As Emergency Orders End, Lifesaving COVID-19 Tools Remain Readily Accessible Throughout Los Angeles County 

      With recent decisions to end federal, state and local emergency orders related to COVID-19, Los Angeles County residents are reminded to continue taking sensible steps to protect themselves and others against severe illness and help keep hospitalization and death rates low.

      During this new phase, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is committed to ensuring easy access to free lifesaving preventative services, including testing, vaccinations and boosters, and treatment.

      One of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness is to get the updated bivalent booster, which has been shown to offer boosted individuals increased protection against hospitalizations and deaths when compared to individuals who were vaccinated but had not received the updated booster.

      To keep the community in the Low COVID-19 Level, residents, workers and businesses are asked to continue to take sensible steps to protect themselves and those most vulnerable. This includes staying up-to-date on vaccines and boosters, testing before gatherings, seeking therapeutics, and staying home when sick. Los Angeles County residents who have not had a COVID-19 booster since August 2022 or earlier, should consider getting up-to-date as soon as possible, especially those who may be at higher risk.

    • With new COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance in place, the following steps are strongly recommended by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to keep residents who are most at-risk safe:

      • Test to leave isolation. If you have COVID-19, it remains very important to minimize the risk of passing along an infection. This includes testing negative if leaving isolation between days 5 to 10 of your infection (and only if you’re improving and you’ve been fever free for 24-hours without fever-reducing medicine). Testing before leaving isolation before day 10 will make you significantly less likely to infect others.
        • Mask up to leave isolation. After you test negative and leave isolation, please wear a well-fitting mask around others indoors, especially those at higher risk, until day 10. People can be infectious for up to 10 days, and sometimes longer in more severe cases.
      • Mask up and test if exposed. If you are a close contact to someone who tests positive, take steps to prevent exposing others. Test as soon as possible. If negative, test again between 3 and 5 days after your known exposure. While symptoms usually appear in the first 3 to 5 days, they can take up to 10 days to appear, so it is recommended close contacts wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after their last exposure.
      • Know your COVID-19 status. Take an at-home COVID-19 test before gatherings, especially if those at higher risk will be in attendance, so you don’t unknowingly infect others. Free tests can be found at Public Health vaccination sites and clinics, many libraries and schools. Health insurance policies, including Medi-Cal are still required to reimburse each member for up to eight tests a month.

      In addition to taking these sensible steps, everyone who is eligible should receive the updated bivalent booster. This booster, available to ages 6 months and older, has been shown to provide significant protection against hospitalization and death even when compared to individuals who have been fully vaccinated but had not received the updated booster.

    • Los Angeles County Enters Low Community Level as COVID-19 Case, Hospitalization Rates Decline (January 20, 2023)

      Los Angeles County has made good progress in reducing COVID-19 transmission and hospitalizations, returning to the CDC designated Low Community Level this week on January 20, 2023 for the first time since November 2022. The 7-day average case rate has dropped to 71 new cases per 100,000 people. The 7-day total for new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people is 9.5 and the 7-day average of the proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients is 5.8%.

      In the Low Community Level, masking for many people at many indoor sites is an individual preference with these exceptions:

      • Masking is still always required in healthcare and congregate care settings, per the state health officer order.
      • Indoor masking is required for anyone exposed to COVID-19 for 10 days after their last exposure to a confirmed case.
      • Everyone should mask where it is required by the site, including businesses, schools and workplaces.

      Masking remains strongly recommended on public transit, and in all indoor spaces for people who are at elevated risk for severe illness or death from COVID-19, and those who may be exposed to large numbers of people in their job or work in very crowded places. A high quality, well-fitting, respirator mask, such as an N95, KN95 or KF94, provides the best protection.

      However, with elevated risks of severe illness, hospitalization and death for people who are more vulnerable, and to remain at the lower community level, residents should continue to consider using appropriate protective measures including masking when indoors, seeking treatment when ill and getting the updated bivalent booster.

      As New Year Begins, LA County Remains in Medium Community Level; Steps Suggested to Prevent Post-Holiday Surge (December 30, 2022) 

      To Help Reduce Post-Holiday Surge, Follow Three Simple Steps: Test, Mask, and Stay Home When Sick 

      As people prepare for New Year’s celebrations, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urges everyone to practice three simple steps: testing before gathering, masking while indoors or in very crowded outdoor spaces, and staying home when sick. Although this week, Los Angeles County remains in Medium Community Level, based on its case rate and hospitalization numbers, winter holiday travel and celebrations could lead to a rise in COVID-19 cases, similar to what was experienced after Thanksgiving.

       

      LA County Back in Medium Community Level for COVID-19; Residents asked to take Measures to Slow Rate of Transmission (December 22, 2022) 

      On Thursday, Dec. 22, Los Angeles County moved from the High Community Level into the Medium Community Level, after two weeks at High Community Level, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designation. The case rate is now 177 new cases per 100,000 people. 

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is asking residents to layer protections this holiday season to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmissions, especially for older people, and to limit additional stress on health care providers and hospitals.

       

      LA County Returns to High Community Level for COVID-19; Residents Urged to Utilize Safety Measures to Further Reduce Rate of Transmission (December 8, 2022)

      Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Asks Residents to Mask, Get Boosted

      With a rise in COVID-19 cases, Los Angeles County moved into the CDC High Community Level this week, prompting Public Health officials to ask all residents to layer in sensible health protections including indoor masking and getting vaccinated and boosted.

      With the COVID-19 case rate reaching 258 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people this week, and almost 15 hospital admissions per 100,000 people, the CDC High Community Level designation reflects both high transmission and increased stress on hospitals.  The stress on the healthcare system is compounded by high rates of influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

       

      County Moves back to Medium (December 6, 2022)

      Los Angeles County continues to experience large increases in the number of reported COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The 7-day average case count in the county was reported Dec. 2 at 3,053, a nearly 44% increase from a week prior, when a 7-day average of 2,121 cases was reported. And over the past week, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in LA County hospitals was 1,056, an increase of 39% from last week when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 760. 

      As of last Friday, the county’s case rate was 185 new cases per 100,000 people, and the COVID-19 hospital admission rate stood at 11.9 per 100,000 people, moving the CDC community level designation from low to medium. While moving into the Medium Community Level will not change required mitigation strategies in LA County, it does signal that case rates and hospitalizations are elevated and the county could be in the High Community Level as soon as this Thursday if the case rate reaches 200 cases per 100,000 people. 

      Newer Strains the Likely Culprit 

      Emerging strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are likely contributing to higher COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations across the county. With high prevalence of the new dominant strains BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 (descendant of BA.5), all residents should follow common sense precautions that work to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses, including wearing a high-quality mask that fits well in indoor public spaces and getting the new, updated COVID-19 booster.  

      Current county data shows that the subvariant Omicron BA.5 is rapidly losing dominance. The subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. now account for the second and third greatest number of sequenced specimens respectively, and combined, the BQ strains make up 38% of specimens (up from 26% as of Nov. 18) and have surpassed BA.5, which is at about 36%. 

      Indoor Masking now “Strongly Recommended” 

      Taking proactive measures can reduce the risk of transmission during holiday gatherings. Public Health recommends masking and testing when traveling, testing before a gathering, particularly if gathering with those more vulnerable for serious illness. Other possible steps include increasing ventilation by staying outdoors or, if indoors, opening windows and doors and using an air purifying system, and staying home if sick. 

      Indoor masking in all indoor public spaces is now strongly recommended, in accordance with the LA County COVID Response Plan. The recommendation covers indoor spaces at schools, retail establishments, entertainment venues, public transit, correctional and detention facilities, and at homeless and emergency shelters. Masking continues to be required for people who have been exposed to COVID during the past 10 days, in healthcare settings and congregate care facilities, and anywhere where it is required by the site.  

       

      Los Angeles County - Revised Health Officer Order (September 22, 2022)

      Please see the revised Health Officer Order: Responding Together at Work and in the Community - Community Monitoring of COVID-19 and Continued Response Measures, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, September 23, 2022. 

    • Revised to strongly recommend, but no longer require, masking for all persons using public transit or at indoor transportation hubs. Transit agencies may elect to continue requiring masking.
    • Revised to align with the State Public Health Officer's September 20, 2022 guidance regarding masking in the following high-risk settings: correctional facilities, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling and heating centers.
    • Continues to require masking at all indoor healthcare settings.
    • Revised to update Appendix T1: Protocols for K-12 Schools to align with the State and retire the requirement for schools to conduct routine testing of unvaccinated school staff.
    • 2022.09.22_BeyondTheBlueprint_ShiftToLow_Masking.pdf

      Other pertinent information and resources can be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/ 

       

      Public Health Aligns with Updated Masking Guidance from State (September 21, 2022)

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will be aligning with the changes to the state health officer order that allow correctional facilities and shelters to make masks optional when the county’s CDC COVID-19 Community Level is low, provided that there have been no recent outbreaks in the facility.

      Universal masking continues to be required, per the state, at all health care and long-term care facilities.

      The County’s current mask guidance for the general public, as outlined in the recently updated COVID-19 Response Plan, will continue to guide Public Health’s masking, testing, and vaccination recommendations and requirements. Given that the State will be implementing changes on Friday, September 23, and since LA County is very close to reaching the weekly case rate of under 100 new cases per 100,000 residents, Public Health will shift from strongly recommending indoor masking for the general public to individual preference unless required by the site on the same day, September 23. 

       

      As LA County Enters Low Community Level, Residents Should Continue Safety Measures to Further Reduce Rate of Transmission (September 2, 2022)

      With continued declines in hospitalizations and a lower case rate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has moved Los Angeles County into the Low Community Level, reflecting minimal stress on the hospital system in LA County associated with COVID-19. However, viral transmission, with a case rate just below 200, is still high, as it represents about 2500 new cases a day. Residents are therefore asked to continue following sensible safety measures including indoor masking and staying home and away from others if sick to help reduce the rate of transmission.

      The 7-day average case count is 2,438, an 18% decline from one week ago when an average of 2,976 cases were reported.

      Over the past seven days, the average number of daily COVID-positive patients in LA County hospitals was 813, about a 10% decline from one week ago when the average number of daily COVID-positive patients per day was 900.

      Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks, remain relatively stable at an average of 14 reported deaths daily.

    • FDA Authorization of Bivalent Boosters (August 31, 2022)

      On August 31, the Federal Drug and Food Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent Vaccines for a single additional booster dose given 2 months after completion of the primary series or the most recent booster dose of an approved or authorized monovalent (original) COVID-19 vaccine. 

      - Moderna Bivalent Booster is authorized for those 18 years and older.

      - Pfizer Bivalent Booster is authorized for those 12 years and older.

      The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will meet on recommendations for the use of Bivalent Boosters on September 1st and possibly September 2nd. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup (WSSSRW) will meet immediately afterwards. 

    • Residents Encouraged to Take Safety Precautions Over Labor Day Weekend to Avoid Infecting Others  (August 30, 2022)

      With many people traveling or gathering over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, there are a number of safety measures residents should take to protect themselves and their community from COVID-19. With the continued high rate of transmission, the likelihood that residents will encounter someone with COVID during the holiday weekend remains elevated. At the county’s current COVID-19 case rate of roughly 200 weekly cases per 100,000 residents, there is about a 30% chance that at least one person is infected in a gathering of 50 people. Testing before and after traveling and before gathering with people, especially indoors with others who are at higher risk, are important safety measures to take to reduce a cycle of transmission.

      Residents are encouraged to use over-the-counter (OTC) FDA-approved tests. OTC antigen tests provide results in a few minutes, as opposed to laboratory-based PCR tests that may take several days to process. Free OTC tests can be picked up at Department of Public Health vaccination sites, the seven Public Health Points of Dispensing (PODs), schools, community partners in areas hard hit by the pandemic, skilled nursing facilities, community clinics, pharmacies, and LA County libraries. 

      Additionally, at-home tests can be ordered at no charge from the federal government until Sept. 2 at www.covidtests.gov. Note that the free program is being suspended due to lack of funding to replenish the nation’s stockpile of tests. Residents who have health insurance can also receive eight free at-home tests each month for each insured member in their household.

      If residents purchase an OTC test from a pharmacy, store, or online retailer and are charged for their test, they should keep their receipt, and submit a claim to their insurance company for reimbursement.

      Individuals with any questions should talk with their health care provider to make sure they understand their viral test results and any next steps. Those without easy access to a health care provider who have questions about their test result and what to do next, can call the Public Health COVID-19 information line at 1-833-540-0473, seven days a week, 8:00 am to 8:30 pm.

    • Los Angeles County Remains in High Community Level (As of August 5, 2022)

      Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 cases continue their recent decline, while hospitalization and hospital admissions appear to have plateaued. Los Angeles County remains at the high community level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 framework this week, but the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is monitoring metrics that may move the County to the medium community level.

      Los Angeles County’s 7-day case rate, which while still appreciably elevated at 376 cases per week per 100,000 people, represents a considerable decline from the case rate of 426 a week ago.

      According to the Los Angeles County hospital metrics data CDC reported out on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the County’s hospital admission rate declined enough to move the County back down into the medium community level. However, the preliminary data that CDC posted yesterday, calculated the hospital admission rate at 10.1 keeping the County in the high community level. Additionally, the 7-day average for the proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients is 7.0%, a small decline from the 7.2% CDC reported last Wednesday.

      Given declining cases and continued efforts to slow the spread, it is possible for the County to quickly move and remain in the medium community level in the weeks ahead. This is especially important with schools opening soon across the County. 

    • As CDC Community Level Data Improves, Indoor Masking Strongly Advised to Protect Most Vulnerable Residents

      Using the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels framework, Los Angeles County remains at the high community level this week (as of July 29, 2022). However, there are indications that Los Angeles County may very soon be moving to the medium community level. Given the latest trends in cases and hospitalizations, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is not instituting universal indoor masking at this time.

      Los Angeles County’s 7-day case rate, while still elevated at 426 weekly cases per 100,000 people, declined from 481 weekly cases per 100,000 people last week. Using the most recent hospitalization data, Los Angeles County is experiencing a rate of 9.7 new hospitalizations, which suggests that by next Thursday, assuming rates stay stable or decline, CDC will designate Los Angeles County at the medium community level.

      Although Public Health did not issue a new health officer order to require universal indoor masking because of the improvements in our hospital metrics, given the continued high rate of transmission, wearing masks indoors in public spaces, will reduce risk and limit spread.

      As a reminder, masking is still required in many settings throughout the County under the existing state and Los Angeles County Health Officer orders. Masks are required in all health care settings, on public transportation, such as buses and trains, and transit hubs, as well as at long-term care settings, shelters, cooling centers, and correctional facilities. Masks are required for 10 days for anyone recently diagnosed with, or exposed to, COVID-19, when they are around other people.

      And while Los Angeles County still is in this surge, indoor masking is very strongly advised everywhere else: in shared office spaces, in other work settings like manufacturing, in retail settings (whether you work there or are shopping), indoors at schools, and when you are in any indoor space, unless you are actively eating or drinking. As a reminder, businesses and institutions are permitted to require indoor masking while people are on their premises, and this remains a sensible action to take during times of high transmission.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of July 19, 2022):

      In Los Angeles County, the Omicron variant continues to account for 100% of the county’s sequenced specimens, with BA.5 dominating, representing 48% of all sequenced specimens.

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also estimates that, across the country, as of the week ending July 9, the BA.5 subvariants of Omicron accounted for nearly 70% of specimens, a considerable increase from the 40% just two weeks prior. In both the national and Los Angeles County data, BA.5 continues to outcompete the BA.2 subvariant and its sublineages and is increasing at a faster rate than the BA.4 subvariant.

      With the highly infectious BA.5 subvariant increasing in Los Angeles County, the number of daily new cases continues to rise. Over the last seven days, the average number of daily new cases reported was 6,742, a 24% increase from two weeks ago when the average number of daily new cases reported was 5,425. Additionally, the test positivity rate has now increased to 16.5%.

      After weeks of high case numbers fueled by this highly infectious COVID-19 strain, the number of people severely ill and needing to be hospitalized is also increasing. Over the last seven days, the average number of COVID-positive patients per day in LA County hospitals was 1,243, a 52% increase from two weeks ago when the 7-day average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 820. The hospital admission rate has also increased over the last two weeks. On July 13, the weekly hospital admission rate was 10.5 residents per 100,000 people, a 50% increase from two weeks prior when the rate was seven residents per 100,000 people on June 29. Of those hospitalized, on average, 42% are hospitalized with COVID-related illness.

      Deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks are also increasing, with an average of 14 deaths reported per day this past week, compared to an average of eight deaths two weeks ago.

    • Los Angeles County Enters High COVID-19 Community Level (as of July 14, 2022): 

      On July 14, 2022, Los Angeles County entered the High Covid Community Level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Levels framework after hospital admissions exceeded 10 new hospital admissions per 100,000 people. The county’s admission rate, at 10.5 hospital admissions per 100,000 people, is an 88% increase when compared to one month ago.

      If Los Angeles County remains in the High COVID-19 Community Level for two consecutive weeks, universal indoor masking will be implemented on July 29 to help slow the rate of transmission and protect those most vulnerable.

      It is important to note that indoor masking is already a required safety measure in many places, including at all healthcare settings, public transit and transit hubs, long-term care settings, shelters and cooling centers, and correctional facilities. Indoor masking also continues to be required at worksites with outbreaks and is required for all individuals during the 10 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure when they are around others.

      Businesses and employers are allowed to require masks at work, and many have done just that, either by maintaining an indoor masking requirement throughout the pandemic or reinstating one as cases began increasing.

      If the county implements universal indoor masking, residents and workers need to wear masks in all indoor public spaces, including shared office spaces, manufacturing facilities, retail stores, and at indoor events. Indoor areas of restaurants and bars, children’s programs and educational settings, would need to institute universal masking as well.  

      Masking and testing are both powerful tools that can interrupt transmission thereby reducing risk. Masking lowers risk in two ways: It provides what some call “source control” meaning controlling the amount of virus entering the environment right at the source. When people who are infected wear a mask, they exhale far less virus into the air than infected people who do not mask. Masks also provide protection to the individual wearing a mask, by filtering virus from the air they are breathing. When everyone in a room is masked, safety is enhanced, as there is less virus circulating, and less likelihood that any virus circulating will penetrate the physical barrier of a well-fitting, high filtration mask.

      Masks that offer beneficial protection provide both good filtration AND a good fit or seal around the edges. Well-fitting respirator-type masks such as N95s, KN95s and KN94s offer the most protection because they are made with thicker materials that do the best job filtering out the virus. Note that individuals should not double mask with a respirator.

      Testing to know your status is strongly recommended if exposed, if symptomatic, and right before gathering with others, especially if indoors and when gathering with anyone at higher risk of severe illness should they get infected. If attendees at a gathering have all tested negative prior to getting together, it is much less likely that anyone will be exhaling virus particles into the air. As a reminder, individuals can be contagious for COVID-19 and not have symptoms – that can happen very early in their infection, before symptoms start, or it can happen if an individual has an asymptomatic case of COVID-19.

    • Los Angeles County Remains at Medium Community Level (as of July 1, 2022):

      Currently, Los Angeles County remains at the CDC designated COVID-19 Medium Community Level. However, there are increasing concerns about the impact of new Omicron subvariants on transmission and hospitalizations that could result in the County moving into the High Community Level designation sometime later this summer.

      The seven-day case rate is currently at 326 cases per week per 100,000 people, an increase from last week when the case rate was 307. The first of two hospital metrics in the CDC Community Levels Framework is the seven-day total of new hospital admissions per 100,000, which rose this past week to 8.1 admissions per 100,000 people. This is a 56% increase compared to one month ago. The second hospital metric, the seven-day average for the proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, also increased this past week to 4.2%.

      If the county moves into the CDC designated High Community Level and remains there for two consecutive weeks, the county would implement a universal indoor masking requirement for everyone age 2 and older in Los Angeles County as a safety measure aligned with the CDC framework. The safety measure would remain in effect until the county returned to the CDC Medium Community Level designation, or lower, for two consecutive weeks.

      It’s important to note that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health can’t predict with certainty what the future hospitalization trend will look like. Hospitalizations could level off or begin to decline. With the continued proliferation of new Omicron subvariants, it is very difficult to accurately predict the rate of hospitalizations, so Public Health will continue to closely monitor the CDC metrics.

    •  
    • Los Angeles County Remains at Medium Community Level (as of July 1, 2022):

      Currently, Los Angeles County remains at the CDC designated COVID-19 Medium Community Level. However, there are increasing concerns about the impact of new Omicron subvariants on transmission and hospitalizations that could result in the County moving into the High Community Level designation sometime later this summer.

      The seven-day case rate is currently at 326 cases per week per 100,000 people, an increase from last week when the case rate was 307. The first of two hospital metrics in the CDC Community Levels Framework is the seven-day total of new hospital admissions per 100,000, which rose this past week to 8.1 admissions per 100,000 people. This is a 56% increase compared to one month ago. The second hospital metric, the seven-day average for the proportion of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, also increased this past week to 4.2%.

      If the county moves into the CDC designated High Community Level and remains there for two consecutive weeks, the county would implement a universal indoor masking requirement for everyone age 2 and older in Los Angeles County as a safety measure aligned with the CDC framework. The safety measure would remain in effect until the county returned to the CDC Medium Community Level designation, or lower, for two consecutive weeks.

      It’s important to note that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health can’t predict with certainty what the future hospitalization trend will look like. Hospitalizations could level off or begin to decline. With the continued proliferation of new Omicron subvariants, it is very difficult to accurately predict the rate of hospitalizations, so Public Health will continue to closely monitor the CDC metrics.
       

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of June 28, 2022):

      Omicron continues to be the dominant variant, accounting for 100% of the sequenced specimens this week and in recent past weeks. To date, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has detected a total of 167 positive, sequenced specimens of these two subvariants – 86 of BA.4 and 81 of BA.5. For the week ending June 4, these two subvariants combined accounted for 9.1% of positive specimens, an increase over the 6.5% from the week prior and 4.6% from the week before that.

      The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that across the country, for the week of June 18, the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron combined accounted for just under 35% of specimens, a large increase from under 5% from a month ago. BA.4 and BA.5 continue to appear to be able to outcompete the BA.2 subvariant and its sublineages.

      These BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron are of special concern because of their apparent ability to cause re-infections in people who were infected with other Omicron subvariants.

    • Los Angeles County Remains at Medium Community Level (as of June 24, 2022):

      Los Angeles County remains at the medium community level on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community Level framework as of June 24, 2022. The CDC Community Level framework contains three elements: the weekly cumulative case rate per 100,000 people, and two hospital metrics, the seven-day cumulative rate of COVID-19 hospital admissions, and the percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients.

      This medium level is based on a very high case rate of 307 cases per 100,000 residents, well above the CDC’s 200 cases per 100,000 threshold for the low community level.

      The county’s hospital admission rate is at 7.3 per 100,000 people, unchanged from last week. The percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients is at 3.6%, slightly up from 3.5% last week. If the county reaches 10 for either of these two metrics, it will move into the “high” community level.

      If the county continues its current rate of increase over the coming weeks, it may reach the COVID-19 hospital admission rate of 10 per 100,000 people threshold in mid-July, which is the high community level. However, the future hospitalization trend cannot be predicted with certainty. Hospitalizations could level off and begin to decline—this would be a great relief, or they could again begin to increase more rapidly. The data will need to be monitored closely.

      If the county does move into the high level and remain there for two consecutive weeks, Public Health will implement a universal indoor masking requirement for everyone age 2 and older in Los Angeles County as a safety measure recommended by the CDC. If it were to be implemented, it would remain in effect until the county returns to the medium level for two consecutive weeks.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of June 21, 2022):

      Although cases appear to stabilize, COVID-19 transmission in Los Angeles County remains high due to highly infectious Omicron variant sublineages. With high transmission, Public Health continues to encourage caution and the layering of protections, such as masking, testing and staying away from others if you are sick. These safety measures remain essential to slowing the spread.

      The Omicron variant continued to account for all positive cases for sequenced specimens collected through the week ending May 28, as 90% of specimens testing positive were the BA.2 subvariant of Omicron, and its sublineages. The original BA.2 subvariant, and the BA.2.3 sublineage, continued to decrease. The BA.2.12.1 sublineage remains, by far, the predominant sublineage of BA.2, accounting for over 58% of positive sequenced specimens for the week ending May 28.

      While the highly infectious BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron continue to remain at low levels in Los Angeles County, increased numbers of new cases are detected every week. To date, Public Health has detected a total of 98 positive, sequenced specimens of these two subvariants - 57 of BA.4 and 41 of BA.5. For the week ending May 28, these two subvariants combined accounted for 7.5% of positive specimens, with BA.4 accounting for 3.5%, and BA.5 accounting for 4%.

      The CDC estimates that across the country, as of the week of June 11, the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron combined accounted for just under 22% of specimens, a large increase from 1% a month ago. They appear increasingly able to outcompete the BA.2 subvariant and its sublineages.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of June 13, 2022):

      Increases in new Omicron variants continue to fuel high transmission in Los Angeles County, with cases and hospitalizations currently much higher than they were this time last year, showing just how infectious the current Omicron variants and sub-lineages are. 

      For specimens collected for the week ending May 21, 98% of specimens continue to be BA.2 and its sub-lineages. However, the proportion of the BA.2 Omicron variant itself, excluding its sub-lineages, appears to be plateauing, and continues to account for about half of the specimens sequenced in the County. The BA.2.3 Omicron sub-lineage has decreased, accounting for only about 3% of specimens in the most recent week. In contrast, BA.2.12.1 sub-lineage accounted for 42% of positive sequenced specimens, a small increase from the previous week. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that BA.2.12.1 will account for 62% of specimens collected the week ending June 4.

      The BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants continue to remain rare in Los Angeles County, but a few cases are being detected every week. To date we have detected a total of 49 positive, sequenced specimens of these two subvariants - 27 of BA.4 and 22 of BA.5. The CDC estimated that, across the country, these two variants combined may have increased from about 1% to 13% of specimens collected in the past month. This suggests they may have the ability to outcompete other circulating variants. There is also concern that they may be able to cause re-infections in people who have already been infected by other Omicron subvariants.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of June 3, 2022):

      The BA.2 Omicron variant, excluding BA.2 sub-lineages, continues to decrease, and now accounts for only about half of the variants sequenced in the County. In contrast, the even more transmissible BA.2.12.1 sub-lineage accounts for 40% of positive sequenced specimens. Modeling estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict that BA.2.12.1 is now the predominant variant in the U.S., accounting for 59% of sequenced specimens across the country for the week ending May 28.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of May 23, 2022):

      Omicron, which is known to be 20-30% more easily transmitted than previous strains, accounted for 100% of all positive cases for sequenced specimens collected in the week ending April 30. While the BA.2 Omicron variant remains the predominant variant in LA County, BA.2.12.1, is becoming more common in LA County, which is of concern since it is more transmissible that BA.2. The BA.2.12.1 sub-lineage accounted for 27% of positive sequenced specimens for the period ending April 30, compared to 3% about one month before. This rate of increase is similar to what is seen nationally, where for the week ending May 14, BA.2.12.1 accounted for 48% of positive sequences specimens vs. 19% about one month before. For the week ending April 30, the BA.2.3 and its sub-lineages accounted for 12% of positive sequenced specimens.

      With these highly infectious subvariants and sub-lineages in circulation, cases continue to increase in LA County. The average number of daily new cases reported over the last seven days increased to 3,843 compared to the 1,436 reported one month ago, an increase of 168%.

      The seven-day average test positivity rate also increased when compared to one month ago. The rate today is 3%, double from what it was one month ago on April 23 when the seven-day average test positivity rate was 1.5%.

      The higher case numbers have translated to an increased number of people getting severely ill and needing to be hospitalized. Over the last seven days, the average number of COVID-positive patients per day in LA County hospitals was 378, an increase of 72% from one month ago when the average number of COVID-positive patients per day was 220.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of May 16, 2022): 

      With the highly infectious BA.2 subvariant and sub-lineages fueling case and hospitalization increases, residents are encouraged to layer safety protections such as masking, testing and staying away from others when sick.

      For the week ending April 23, Omicron once again accounted for 100% of all positive cases that were sequenced, with the BA.2 lineage and sub-lineages accounting for about 97% of these positive sequenced specimens in Los Angeles County. While BA.2, excluding BA.2.12.1, continues to be the predominant subvariant, accounting for about 85% of positive sequenced specimens, Los Angeles County is seeing slight upticks in the more transmissible sub-lineage, BA.2.12.1, with about 12% of positive sequenced samples identified as BA.2.12.1 for the week ending April 23. For the week ending April 23, 9.1% of sequenced samples were identified as sub-lineages, BA.2.3 or BA.2.3x, thought to be more infectious than BA.2. The CDC estimated that, for the week ending May 7, BA.2 accounted for 56% of sequenced samples and BA.2.12.1 accounted for an increasing proportion of sequenced specimens in the U.S.: 43%, compared to 37% for the prior week.

      With these highly infectious subvariants and sub-lineages in circulation, cases continue to increase in Los Angeles County. The average number of daily new cases reported over the last seven days increased to 2,944 compared to the 1,071 reported one month ago, an increase of 175%.

      The higher case numbers are beginning to translate to small increases in hospitalizations, as they typically follow case increases. Over the last seven days, the average number of hospitalized cases per day was 288, an increase of 14% from one month ago when the average number of hospitalized cases per day was 253.

      Fortunately, deaths, which typically lag hospitalizations by several weeks, remain stable and decreased from one month ago. Deaths decreased to an average of six deaths reported per day this past week, a 45% decrease from one month ago when an average of 11 deaths were reported per day.

    • Update on the Omicron Variant in Los Angeles County (as of May 9, 2022):

      For the week ending April 16, Omicron accounted for 100% of all positive cases that were sequenced, with the BA.2 lineage and sub-lineages accounting for 96% of these positive sequenced specimens in Los Angeles County. For the week ending April 30, the CDC estimates that BA.2 accounted for 62% of sequenced specimens and BA.2.12.1 accounted for 37% of positive sequenced samples in the U.S.

      The CDC estimates that BA.2.12.1 may be 25% more transmissible than BA.2. In Los Angeles County, for the week ending April 16, 8% of positive sequenced specimens were identified as BA.2.12.1.

      With these highly infectious subvariants and sub-lineages in circulation, cases are increasing in the County. The average number of daily new cases reported over the last seven days increased to 2,532 compared to the 905 reported one month ago, an increase of 180%.

      To date, the increases in case numbers have not translated to increases in severe illness, with hospitalizations and deaths remaining low and decreasing. Over the last seven days, the average number of hospitalized cases per day was 245, similar to hospitalization numbers one month ago. Deaths decreased to an average of four daily deaths a day this past week, a 72% decrease from one month ago when the average number of daily reported deaths over the previous seven days was 14.

      The lower numbers of hospitalizations and deaths reflect, in large part, the protection provided by the vaccines against the variants. For the week ending April 22, unvaccinated people were four times more likely to be hospitalized compared to residents who were fully vaccinated, but not boosted, and five times more likely to be hospitalized than those fully vaccinated and boosted. And the likelihood of dying was also five times higher for unvaccinated residents compared to residents who were fully vaccinated, but not boosted, and 12 times higher compared to residents who were fully vaccinated and boosted for the week ending April 15.

    • Update on the BA.2 Variant in Los Angeles County (as of April 29, 2022):

      The highly contagious Omicron BA.2 subvariant is now identified in 88% of recent Los Angeles County samples – a slight increase from the prior week. Nationally, the BA.2 subvariant is the predominant lineage, although there is increasing circulation of a newly identified sub-lineage strain: BA.2.12.1. For the week ending April 2, the CDC estimates that BA.2 accounted for 68% of sequenced specimens in the U.S., with BA.2.12.1 accounting for approximately 29% of sequenced samples for that week. The BA.2.12.1 sublineage is also estimated to be 20-30% more transmissible than BA.2, and it could quickly become the nation’s dominant strain.

      In Los Angeles County, 7% of sequenced specimens were identified as BA.2.12.1 for the week ending April 9, up from 3% for the prior seven-day period. The California Department of Public Health, through modeling estimates, anticipates that BA.2.12.1 will account for 50% of positive cases in California within a few days. 

    • Update on the BA.2 Variant in Los Angeles County (as of April 25, 2022):

      With cases rising in Los Angeles County and across the country associated with the highly infectious BA.2 subvariant, getting vaccinated and boosted is an important strategy to prevent serious illness.

      The BA.2 subvariant now accounts for 84% of sequenced specimens in the County for the week ending April 2. This increase mirrors what we are seeing across the country, as this highly infectious subvariant has also been identified in 93% of cases across the U.S., according to the CDC. The average number of daily new cases reported over the last seven days increased to 1,553 compared to the 960 reported two weeks ago, an increase of 62%. The seven-day case rate for Los Angeles County has now surpassed 100 new cases per 100,000 residents, indicating, once again, high rates of transmission.

      To date, the increases in case numbers have not translated to increases in severe illness, with hospitalizations and deaths remaining low and slightly decreasing. The lower numbers of hospitalizations and deaths reflect, in part, the continued strong protection provided by the vaccines against BA.2. 

    • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Continues to Require Masks in All Public Transit and Indoor Transportation Hubs Within Los Angeles County

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a revised Health Officer Order to note that masking in all public transit within Los Angeles County and in Los Angeles County indoor transportation hubs continues to be required.

      Per the revised Order, masking continues to be required to be worn by everyone, 2 years of age and older, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status, on public transit within the County. This includes wearing masks on commuter trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares. Masking continues to be also required in indoor transportation hubs including airport and bus terminals, train and subway stations, seaport or other indoor port terminals, or any other indoor area that serves as a transportation hub.

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will reassess the indoor masking requirement when COVID-19 community transmission in Los Angeles County drops to the Moderate level, OR the CDC’s assessment is that an order requiring masking in the transportation corridor is no longer necessary for protection of the public’s health, OR within 30 days of this Order, whichever occurs first.

    • Update on the BA.2 Variant in Los Angeles County (as of April 15, 2022):

      As BA.2 is now the predominant subvariant in Los Angeles County and across the world, getting boosted and following all safety measures are critical to protecting residents at elevated risk. The BA.2 subvariant now accounts for 67% of sequenced specimens in the County for the week ending March 26. This highly infectious subvariant has also been identified in 86% of cases across the U.S., according to the CDC, and it accounts for 92% of global cases.

      With BA.2 now the predominant subvariant, over the past week, Los Angeles County continued to see the same pattern as last week, with cases increasing, and hospitalizations and deaths remaining stable.

    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County: For the week ending March 19, BA.2 accounted for 47% of sequenced specimens. One month prior, the week ending February 19, BA.2 accounted for only 5% of specimens sequenced. The increase in Los Angeles County mirrors what we are seeing nationally and internationally. Worldwide, BA.2 accounts for the vast majority of sequenced cases, and in the U.S., the CDC estimates that as of April 2, BA.2 accounted for 72% of sequenced specimens in the preceding week.

    • Highly Infectious BA.2 Subvariant Increasing in Los Angeles County

      As the highly infectious BA.2 subvariant increases in Los Angeles County and other parts of the world, residents should continue to follow all safety protections, especially residents and workers at elevated risk of severe illness.

      For the latest measurement period, the week ending March 12, 32% of all sequenced specimens in the County were identified as the BA.2 subvariant, double the percentage identified for the week prior ending March 5.

      Increases in the County reflect patterns seen around the world, with the World Health Organization announcing last week that worldwide, BA.2 accounted for 86% of sequenced cases from the prior four weeks. And on Tuesday, the CDC estimated that BA.2 is now the dominant variant in the U.S., accounting for approximately 55% of sequenced cases for the week ending March 26.

      While there are not yet increases in cases or hospitalizations in Los Angeles County, given the increased risk for spread of BA.2, it’s important to take steps to maximize protection against spread, including increasing vaccination and booster rates for residents, as these gaps in vaccination coverage create significant risk.

    • Updated Health Officer Order (Issue Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022; Effective at 12:01am on Friday, April 01, 2022)

      Revised to align with the March 17, 2022 State Public Health Officer Guidance for Mega Events. Effective April 1, 2022, the requirement for pre-entry vaccine verification or proof of a recent negative test result for attendees of Indoor Mega Events will be lifted and moved to a strong recommendation.

      Read Health Officer Order here.

    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County:

      Although the current sequencing sample represents a small fraction of all cases, it indicates that between February 27 – March 5, 14.7% of sequenced cases were the BA.2 Omicron sub-lineage in Los Angeles County. This is an increase from 6.4% of sequenced cases in the prior week. 

      The increase of the Omicron sub-variant BA.2 in sequenced samples parallels trends nationally and in Europe. This variant is known to be more highly contagious than earlier variants, though it does not appear to be more severe. 

    • Gradual Increase of Omicron Subvariant BA.2 in Los Angeles County

      While we’re encouraged with the progress made, as the BA.2 subvariant gradually increases in Los Angeles County, layering in safety measures remains important for protecting residents and workers at elevated risk of severe illness. 

      For the latest measurement period, the week ending February 26, 6.4% of all sequenced specimens in Los Angeles County were identified as the BA.2 subvariant, an increase from the week prior when 4.5% of specimens were identified as BA.2. 

      According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the BA.2 subvariant now accounts for 23% of all sequenced specimens nationally, with the Northeast region seeing higher percentages than other regions. For example, New York City reported that the Omicron subvariant BA.2 accounts for nearly 30% of cases. The BA.2 subvariant also accounts for more than 20% of the cases in the Midwest, with 20% identified as BA.2 in Chicago.

      Although Los Angeles County has identified a lower percentage of cases to date associated with BA.2 when compared to some other cities, this is a similar pattern as seen with previous new virus strains and residents should be prepared to mitigate the risk of increased transmission associated with this more infectious subvariant. 

    • LA County Department of Public Health to Align with State on School Masking: LA County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) will align school masking measures with the state and shift to strongly recommending indoor masking requirements at childcare sites and K-12 schools beginning March 12. School districts may continue to require masking at schools and during school activities and are encouraged to consult with teachers, staff, parents and students as they consider the appropriate safety protections for their school community, recognizing that many individuals may want to continue additional protections. LACDPH will review any additional state guidance changes and provide an update on additional modifications to LA County safety measures during the 3/1/22 Board of Supervisors meeting.

    • Updated Health Officer Order (Issue Date: Thursday, March 03, 2022; Effective at 12:01am on Friday, March 04, 2022)

      RESPONDING TOGETHER AT WORK AND IN THE COMMUNITY
      POST WINTER SURGE COMMUNITY MONITORING AND CONTINUED RESPONSE MEASURES

      • Revised to align with the February 28, 2022 State Public Health Officer Guidance on Masking.
      • After March 11, the universal masking requirement of K-12 Schools and Childcare settings will terminate.
      • Both CDPH and County Public Health continue to strongly recommend that individuals in these settings continue to mask while indoors until transmission rates are much lower.
      • Masks continue to be required for indoor settings with higher risks for transmission: Public Transit, Transportation Hubs, All Healthcare Settings, including Long Term Care and Adult and Senior Care Facilities, Correctional Facilities and Detention Centers, Homeless Shelters, and Emergency Shelters.
      • Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in other indoor public settings and businesses. Well-fitting medical masks or respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, and KF94s) are highly recommended.
      • In settings where masks are strongly recommended, businesses, venue operators, and hosts may choose to require masking, regardless of vaccination status, by patrons, visitors, attendees, and workers as a strategy to reduce the risk of transmission at their site(s).
      • Pre-entry vaccination or recent negative test verification for attendees is recommended, but not required, for Outdoor Mega Event operators.
      • Pre-entry vaccination verification or recent negative test verification for patrons and employees is recommended, but not required, for Bars, Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, Nightclubs and Lounges.
      • Employers are required to offer medical grade masks or respirators to employees who work indoors and in contact with other workers, customers, or members of the public in settings where there is optional masking.
      • In settings where pre-entry verification of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 viral test result is not required, businesses, venue operators, and hosts may choose to require pre-entry verification of COVID-19 vaccination, pre-entry verification of a negative COVID-19 viral test result, or both as an additional, important strategy to reduce transmission at their site(s), regardless of masking.
      • As a reminder, no person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.
      • Local government entities and businesses may continue to have additional and more protective infection control requirements.
      • Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • LA County to Modify Health Officer Order to Allow Establishments, Businesses, and Venues Verifying Vaccination Status to Make Masking Indoors Optional for Fully Vaccinated Individuals Beginning Friday, February 25
      • As the county continues to experience reduced COVID-19 spread, it is appropriate to consider fewer required safety measures, noting that vulnerable individuals should continue to layer in all protections possible. Given decreased risk, Public Health is modifying the Health Officer Order to allow establishments, businesses, and venues verifying vaccination status to offer optional masking for fully vaccinated individuals. The modified Health Officer Order will be posted today and will go into effect at 12:01am on Friday, February 25.
      • Given lower hospital admissions and the effectiveness of the vaccines in reducing severe illness, changes have been made in the Health Officer Order that allow establishments, businesses, or venues two options for removing masking requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.
      • Option 1: Starting this Friday, establishments, businesses, or venues that want to allow fully vaccinated customers and workers to unmask while indoors must:
        • Verify that 100% of customers (5 and older) and workers prior to, or upon, entry to indoor spaces:
          • Provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or 
          • Provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result.  Tests for customers must be taken within two days of entry if a PCR test, or one day if an antigen test.  Employees will be allowed to submit a negative test result every three days. 
      • Those who are not fully vaccinated or do not show proof of vaccination, are required to provide a negative test, and continue wearing a well-fitting mask while indoors (as required by the state), except when actively eating or drinking.
      • Option 2: Starting this Friday, establishments, businesses, or venues that want to allow their fully vaccinated customers to unmask indoors while all onsite workers remain masked, must:  
        • Verify that 100% of customers (5 and older) prior to, or upon, entry to indoor spaces
          • Provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or
          • Provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result.  Tests for customers must have been taken within two days of entry if a PCR test or one day if an antigen test.
        • Adhere to the following regarding customers and masking:
          • Fully vaccinated customers may be unmasked in the indoor setting.
          • Customers that are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a well-fitting mask while indoors (as required by the state), except when actively eating or drinking.
      • Any individual showing proof of full vaccination prior to entering can still choose to wear a mask indoors.
      • For more information, please visit the Toolkit for Lifting of Indoor Masking Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Customers and Fully Vaccinated Workers.
    • Updated Post Winter Surge Health Officer Order

      Issued Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022. To be effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.

      Los Angeles County will enter into a post-surge period tomorrow, Feb. 16, as daily COVID-19 hospitalizations remain below 2,500 for the seventh consecutive day.  

      Brief Highlights of the Post Winter Surge Health Officer Order: 

      • On Feb. 16, 2022, the attendance thresholds at Mega Events are returned to 1,000 attendees for Indoor Mega Events and 10,000 attendees for Outdoor Mega Events.
      • This Order recommends, but no longer requires, masking for attendees at Outdoor Mega Events.
      • This Order no longer requires masking while outdoors at K-12 Schools, Youth Sports or Childcare settings. Masking is still recommended at crowded outdoor events.
    • COVID-19 is the Leading Cause of Death across Los Angeles County

      More Los Angeles County residents passed away from COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 than those who passed away from coronary heart diseases (21,513), which is historically the leading cause of death across the County. Over the same 22 months, there were 3,422 pneumonia and influenza deaths recorded, a far lower number of deaths when compared to COVID-19 deaths. For the month of December, there were 396 deaths from COVID-19 compared to 163 deaths from pneumonia or influenza based on death certificate data. Unfortunately, despite the availability of vaccines and the dominance of Omicron, which generally causes less severe disease than prior variants, COVID-19 deaths continue to far outstrip deaths due to other respiratory illness.

    • Updated Health Officer Order (Issued Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. Effective as of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022)

      The Los Angeles County Responding Together at Work and In the Community Health Officer Order has been updated.  Please note that the updated definitions for mega events were effective as of 1/15/22 and the masking requirement is effective no later than 1/17/22.  

      Brief Highlight:

    • Updated Health Officer Order (Issued Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022)

      Brief Highlights:

      • Masks must be worn at all times while indoors at Cardrooms. Patrons may remove masks only when actively eating or drinking in designated dining areas and may not consume food or beverage while playing or gaming.
      • As soon as possible, but no later than January 17, 2022, employers are required to provide their employees, who work indoors and in close contact with other workers or the public, with and require them to wear a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask or higher-level respirator, such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator or KN95, at all times while indoors at the worksite or facility.
      • In alignment with the State Public Health Officer’s December 31, 2021 Orderbeginning January 15, 2022, attendance thresholds are lowered to 500 attendees for Indoor Mega Events and lowered to 5,000 attendees for Outdoor Mega Events.
      • Recognizing the protection provided by masking while indoors and in crowded settings, there is a strong recommendation that at Mega Events, Performance Venues, Movie Theatres and Entertainment Venues, food and drink only be consumed, where possible, in designated dining areas.
      • Mega Events, Performance Venues, Movie Theatres and Entertainment Venues are responsible for messaging, signage and compliance with masking requirement unless spectators/customers are actively eating or drinking.
    • Although beginning Feb. 16, 2022, the State Public Health Officer recommends that fully vaccinated individuals to continue indoor masking and continues to require masking indoors for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses, this Los Angeles County Order continues to require indoor masking regardless of vaccination status.

      Read the Health Officer Order here.  

       

    • Updated LA County Health Officer Order (Issued December 31, 2021)
      In light of the drastic increases in cases and resultant hospitalizations, and to lessen the severity of the Omicron and Delta variant surge in Los Angeles County and protect against overwhelming the health care delivery system, the following changes are being made to this Order:

    • Revised Isolation Order issued: December 31, 2021:

      • WHO IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THIS HEALTH OFFICER ORDER
        All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection or lack of symptoms, who reside in the Los Angeles County Health Jurisdiction who have tested positive for or been diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to isolate themselves and follow all instructions in this Order. A person is considered to be diagnosed with COVID-19 based on one or both of the following criteria:

        • They received a positive viral test for COVID-19 and/or
        • A healthcare provider clinically suspects that they have COVID-19
      • WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO IF YOU HAVE COVID-19
        To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the County of Los Angeles Health Officer (“Health Officer”) hereby requires you to immediately:

        • Self-isolate for at least 5 days or longer, see “Duration of Self-Isolation”, and
        • Identify your close contacts to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (“Public Health”) when interviewed by Public Health for purposes of contact tracing; and
        • Tell your close contacts that they have been exposed and need to follow the Instructions for Close Contacts to COVID-19 (if you have a positive viral test for COVID-19) and
        • Contact Public Health at (833) 540-0473 within 24 hours of receiving this Order, unless you have already completed a contact tracing interview and
        • Follow all instructions in this Order.
    • Revised Quarantine Order Issued: December 31, 2021:

      • WHO IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THIS HEALTH OFFICER ORDER
        All individuals who reside in the Los Angeles County Health Jurisdiction who have been in close contact with a person who was diagnosed with COVID-19 (based on a positive viral COVID-19 test result) are required to quarantine themselves and follow the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s instructions for self-quarantine, unless they meet exemption criteria, as specified in this Order.

      • WHAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO HAS COVID-19
        To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the County of Los Angeles Health Officer (“Health Officer”) hereby requires you to immediately:

        • Self-quarantine if you are not exempt (Exemptions are listed below. Also, review the County Instructions for Close Contacts to COVID-19), and
        • Monitor your health for 10 days, and
        • Contact the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (“Public Health”) at (833) 540-0473 within 24 hours of receiving this Order, unless you have already completed a contact tracing interview, and
        • Follow all other instructions in this Order.

          Note: If you are a TK-12 student and you were exposed to a person with COVID-19 in a school setting where students are supervised by school staff (indoors, outdoors, or on a school bus), contact your school to learn whether you meet the criteria for modified quarantine. If you do, you may be allowed to follow modified quarantine requirements to continue in-person academic activities that are part of the regular school curriculum and are provided during school hours. You must still follow this Quarantine Order and must stay at home for the duration of quarantine, except for in-person academic activities as described above.

      • CLOSE CONTACTS WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM QUARANTINE

        You are not required to quarantine if you have no symptoms AND you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, as per the Appendix below:

        • You are "fully vaccinated and boosted", receiving all recommended doses of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series and a vaccine booster dose.
          OR
        • You are “fully vaccinated but not yet booster-eligible”.

          Note: Having recovered from laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 within last 90 days no longer excludes you from quarantine.

        • While you are not required to quarantine, you are required to:

          • Test for COVID-19 immediately and test again on Day 5 after your last exposure. (Please note that Day 0 is the day of your last exposure. Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure.)
          • Wear a well-fitted, non-cloth mask, both indoors and outdoors, for a total 10 days while you are around others. Adults need to wear a medical grade mask (surgical or respirator), and children should wear a non-cloth mask of multiple layers of non-woven material with a nose wire.
          • Monitor yourself for symptoms for 10 days following your exposure.
          • If you test positive or if COVID-19 symptoms develop, stay home and follow Isolation requirements.
          • Follow all other instructions for fully vaccinated and boosted and fully vaccinated, but not yet booster eligible close contacts in the Instructions for Close Contacts to COVID-19, which are available in English, Spanish, and other languages at http://ph.lacounty.gov/covidquarantine.
    • Updated LA County Health Officer Order (Issued December 16, 2021. Effective as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021). 

      • Updated to align with the State Public Health Officer's requirement that beginning December 15, 2021, all persons attending an Indoor or Outdoor Mega Event, who cannot provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, must present proof of a pre-entry negative COVID-19 test result from either an antigen test within one day or a PCR test conducted two days prior to entry. For Indoor Mega Events children under 2 years of age are exempt from the pre-entry testing requirement for entry. For Outdoor Mega Events children under 5 years of age are exempt from the pre-entry testing requirement for entry.
      • Continues to require that masks be worn in all public indoor settings, irrespective of vaccination status.
      • Encourages everyone ages 16 and older to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination dose as soon as they are eligible.
    • Update on Variants:
      As of December 25, the CDC revised estimates on variant prevalence, with Omicron now estimated to account for 59% of all U.S. infections and Delta for 41% of infections. In the week ending December 18, 54% of Los Angeles County sequenced positive cases were Omicron variants. 

    • December 2: Los Angeles County Reports First Case of the Omicron Variant
      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has received confirmation of its first case of COVID-19 with mutations consistent with the new Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). The individual returned to Los Angeles County after travel to South Africa via London on 11/22/2021. This infection is most likely travel-related.

    • Omicron, A New Variant of Concern

      While the Delta variant remains the dominate variant detected among Los Angeles County residents and continues to account for 100% of cases sequenced, the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) identified by the World Health Organization in South Africa as a “variant of concern” on November 26 and by the Centers for Disease Control on November 30 is being closely monitored. The first confirmed case of the Omicron variant was detected in California on December 1 and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported the first case in the County on December 2.

      Omicron has an unusual number of mutations, more than 30 of which are in the spike protein, which is the “door key” the virus uses to enter and infect humans. This could be concerning because mutations to the spike protein could increase how contagious the virus is or if it has the ability to escape from vaccine protection. Early signs indicate that Omicron spreads quickly, as it is now the dominate strain in South Africa, where it was originally identified.

      There are important steps we all need to take to protect ourselves from COVID-19 and from emerging variants of concern. The most important strategy remains making sure that everyone 5 years and older gets fully vaccinated or receives their booster dose as quickly as possible to reduce transmission of the virus currently dominating across the county. The vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and earlier strains of the virus which allows us to remain hopeful that the approved vaccines will also provide some protection against Omicron.

      However, given that there continues to be substantial transmission of COVID-19 and we have uncertainty about the level of vaccine efficacy against this new variant of concern, all residents across the County need to be sure to adhere to the masking requirements and wear a mask when indoors or at large outdoor mega events regardless of vaccination status. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) continues to strongly recommend that individuals wear a mask when at any crowded indoor or outdoor events. Residents are reminded that they are legally required to isolate if they have a positive COVID-19 test result and that vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to quarantine. Testing is an important tool in early detection of infection to reduce spread and Public Health encourages residents who have traveled for the holidays to get tested if they traveled internationally or to locations in this country with high transmission rates, or they participated at gatherings and events with large numbers of people, some of which may be unvaccinated.  

    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of November 18): The Delta variant emerged in late May, quickly dominated the scene and remains the predominate variant detected among our residents. It accounts for 100% of cases sequenced.

    • Beginning November 4, proof of full vaccination and photo ID for indoor entry into bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs, and lounges for all patrons and employees goes into effect. Patrons now need to be fully vaccinated to be indoors at any of these establishments.

      Next week, on November 8, the City of Los Angeles’ vaccine verification program, called SafePassLA, goes into effect, and will require proof of full vaccination for entry into the indoor portions of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, gyms, spas, nail salons, barbershops, movie theaters, shopping malls, and entertainment and recreation venues. This includes indoor portions of City facilities such as LA City Hall, senior centers, recreation centers, and service centers. 

      Public Health will be working closely with the City of LA to educate businesses and residents on the requirements of the SafePassLA program throughout the upcoming month and will unveil a virtual training and certificate program for LA City businesses next week. 

    • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Provides Framework for Lifting Masking Requirements at Events and Indoor Establishments 
      • For outdoor mega events involving more than 10,000 people, before masking requirements are lifted, all of the following criteria need to be met:
        • Los Angeles County case rates must demonstrate three consecutive weeks at or below moderate transmission as defined by the CDC – that is, less than 50 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents;
        • Hospitalizations remain low and stable at or below 600 daily COVID-19 hospitalizations for three consecutive weeks;
        • 80% or more of County residents 12 and older are fully vaccinated;
        • And there are no emerging reports of significantly circulating new variants of concern that threaten vaccine effectiveness.
      • For masking requirements to be lifted at indoor events or establishments involving fewer than 1,000 people, including indoor offices and worksites, sites must have a vaccination verification process in place, and all employees and customers must be fully vaccinated, accommodating with additional requirements those employees with approved exemptions. Additionally, Los Angeles County metrics must meet all of the same standards as for lifting masking requirements at outdoor mega events.
      • Indoor masking will remain mandatory due to federal and state requirements on public transit and transportation hubs (federal), and at TK-12 schools, childcare and youth settings; healthcare settings; correctional facilities; homeless and emergency shelters and cooling centers; and indoor mega events involving more than 1,000 people (state).
    • On September 28, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order, which goes into effect October 7. It clarifies that starting November 1, 2021, operators of Outdoor Mega Events are required to cross-check proof of full vaccination or negative COVID-19 viral test result against a photo identification for all attendees who are 18 years of age or older.

    • Indoor Large Events Required to Verify Vaccination or Negative Test for Entry
      As of September 20, the State requires that all attendees at indoor mega events show proof of full vaccination or a negative test result prior to entry. Self-attestation can no longer be used to verify an attendee's status as fully vaccinated or as proof of a negative COVID-19 test result.  

      ​Indoor mega events are events with 1,000 or more attendees indoors and include conventions, conferences, expos, concerts, shows, nightclubs, sporting events, live entertainment and festivals.

      • Acceptable proof of vaccination status includes a photo identification with any one of the following:
        • CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card (white card)
        • World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine record card (yellow card)
        • California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 digital vaccination record
        • Other COVID-19 digital vaccination record issued by an approved company
        • Documentation of vaccination from the healthcare provider or entity that provided the COVID-19 vaccines
        • California Immunization Registry (CAIR2) vaccination record
      • The vaccination proof should include the person’s name, type of COVID-19 vaccine and the date of the doses administered. The person can show the vaccination card, a photo of the card as a separate document or a photo of the card stored on a phone or electronic device.
      • ​Acceptable proof of a negative test includes a photo identification with testing results that must include the person’s name, type of COVID-19 viral test performed and negative test result. The date when the COVID-19 test was taken must be within the 72 hours prior to the event. The test results can be a printed copy or on a phone, including an email or text message results from the test provider or laboratory.
    • Updated Health Officer Order on Vaccination Verifications
      On September 17, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an updated Health Officer Order, which goes into effect on October 7.

      Brief Highlights:

      • Aligns with the State’s September 8, 2021, definition of Outdoor Mega Events
        • Beginning October 7, 2021, all attendees, ages 12 and over, at Outdoor Mega Events involving 10,000 or more persons must, prior to entry, show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a pre-entry negative COVID-19 (diagnostic) test result. Self-attestation is not a permitted method for verification of vaccination or test result.
        • Beginning October 7, 2021, requires bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs and lounges for indoor service and operations to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of their patrons and employees.
          • Requires that all customers and employees have at least one dose of the vaccine by October 7 and full vaccination by November 4.
          • These establishments primarily serve adults and already require patrons to show proof of age; and while children do not usually enter these establishments, children under 12 are exempt from these requirements.
        • The County Health Officer strongly recommends that beginning October 7, 2021, that the operators of all restaurants and food facilities reserve and prioritize indoor seating/service for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
          • Full vaccination verification for services in the indoor portions of restaurants is strongly recommended.
      • Verifying Proof of a Negative COVID-19 Test
      • Verifying Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
    • Modified Quarantine Option for K-12 Students Exposed to COVID-19 at School
      On September 16, after reviewing four weeks’ worth of data related to cases, close contacts and outbreaks at schools, and with relatively low transmission at schools, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is offering a modified quarantine option for K-12 students exposed to COVID-19 at school under certain circumstancesSchools and school districts are not required to offer a modified quarantine option to their students and may choose to continue with the customary quarantine requirements.  

      Modified quarantine allows, under certain conditions, an unvaccinated student with an exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case to continue in-person instruction at school during their quarantine, while restricting their activities outside of the classroom. Those who qualify for modified quarantine include close contacts whose exposure took place at school or a school supervised activity when both the contact and the case were masked during the entire exposure period and the close contacts are not part of a defined outbreak. The exposed student must remain asymptomatic for the duration of quarantine, stay home except for classroom and educational instruction activities and continue to wear a mask indoors, outdoors and on the school bus, except for when they are eating and drinking. While eating and drinking, they must maintain at least a six-foot distance from others; this should ideally take place outdoors. Students in modified quarantine must also be tested twice a week during their quarantine: the first test should be on day one through two after exposure, while the second test should be five days after exposure. Modified quarantine ends when a second test done at least five days after exposure is negative. In this scenario, the exposed student can end modified quarantine after day seven.

    • Los Angeles County to Modify Health Officer Order Adding Vaccination Verification Requirements at Select High-Risk Settings
      With the urgent need to reduce transmission risk and increase vaccination coverage in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will begin requiring verification of vaccination in select high-risk settings by October 7, 2021.

      The Department of Public Health will issue a modified Health Officer Order later this week that would align with President Biden and require vaccination verification or a negative test within 72 hours prior to attending outdoor mega events. Attendees at indoor mega events are already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result prior to entry. Many mega event venues already established verification systems during the spring in response to previous capacity restrictions, and the Department of Public Health is prepared to offer all large venues and organizers of mega events technical assistance to assist with implementation. 

      Vaccine verification will also be required for customers and employees at indoor portions of bars, wineries, breweries, night clubs and lounges. These establishments are primarily attended by adults and already require patrons to show identification. The Department of Public Health will prepare a toolkit to assist businesses in confirming vaccinations and will provide education and support to those establishments requesting assistance. While not required, vaccine verification at indoor portions of restaurants are also recommended.

      The modified Health Officer Order would require customers and employees at bars, breweries, wineries, night clubs and lounges to have at least one dose of the vaccine by October 7 and both doses by November 4.

    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of September 10): The Delta variant now accounts for 100% of the COVID-19 strains seen among samples sequenced in the Los Angeles County area. This variant is more infectious and more efficiently transmitted between people compared with earlier COVID-19 strains. While emerging data affirms that fully vaccinated people are well protected from severe infections with Delta variants, it now is clear that fully vaccinated people can become infected, and if infected with Delta, can infect others.

      As a result of re-analyzing many samples with an updated version of the genetic library used to identify variants, a lab that performs much of the variant sequencing reclassified many older specimens as Mu or Lambda variants, resulting in an increase in the total number of these variants reported linked to County residents. To date, 232 cases linked to Mu variants and 28 cases linked to Lambda variants have been identified. Most of those specimens were collected earlier in the summer.

    • September 7, 2021: COVID-19 Cases Among Healthcare Workers Decline: Reflecting the recent overall trend in Los Angeles County, cases among healthcare workers increased in early June through early August and have begun to decline over the past several weeks. During the week ending August 7, there were 534 new cases of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. During the week ending September 2, there were 291 new cases among healthcare workers reported across the county; 178 cases were reported among vaccinated healthcare workers and 113 among unvaccinated workers. 

    • September 4, 2021: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Drop Under 1,600: There are 1,593 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, a decrease of 115 people over the past week and the first time daily hospitalizations dropped under 1,600 since August 11. These declines are welcomed news and may reflect both the decline in new cases and the likelihood that cases among fully vaccinated individuals are not as likely as cases among unvaccinated individuals to require hospitalization.

    • September 2, 2021 Update: While transmission in L.A. County remains at a high level, the 7-day cumulative case rate decreased 16% from last week to 159 new cases per 100,000 residents. This is the second week in a row with small decreases in the County’s case rate. Overall, the County has seen a 22% decrease from the peak of 204 cases per 100,000 on August 19. Ensuring vaccine access to vulnerable residents is one of Public Health’s highest priorities, and the County’s in-home vaccination program offers home visits to provide vaccines to those unable to leave their homes. The County has so far vaccinated 2,000 homebound residents through this program to date, and the County is also offering additional doses for immunocompromised residents through this program. Residents who are homebound can refer themselves to this program. Caregivers, family members and loved ones, healthcare providers, organizations, and others can also make referrals. On the vaccine website, residents who are homebound can click “In-home vaccination” in the menu to submit a request, or call us at 1-833-540-0473 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. seven days a week. Public Health is able to take calls in multiple languages.

    • Los Angeles County to Modify Health Officer Order on Youth Sports
      Los Angeles County will modify the Health Officer Order to update youth sports testing requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated athletes, staff, coaches and volunteers.

      The County continues to recommend weekly testing for unvaccinated participants in youth sports. The following applies to teams and sport activities based in Los Angeles County and relaxes some screening testing:

      • Indoor Moderate or High Risk Sports for children of all ages, staff, coaches and volunteers. A weekly negative test result is required for all participants who are not fully vaccinated, including children who are playing, staff, coaches and volunteers; weekly school testing fulfills this obligation.
      • Outdoor Moderate or High Risk Sports for youth 12 and older, staff, coaches and volunteers. A weekly negative test result is required for all participants 12 and older who are not fully vaccinated, including children who are playing, staff, coaches and volunteers; weekly school testing fulfills this obligation.
      • No screening testing required for children under 12 playing Outdoor Sports; weekly school testing fulfills this recommendation.
      • These requirements may be modified based on the availability of and access to testing and will be reassessed when community transmission is no longer high. The youth sports guidelines will be posted here.

      • Fully vaccinated youth participating in outdoor sports are not required to test weekly unless there is a positive case among players, coaches and/or staff.  If there is a positive case, all players, coaches, staff and volunteers (regardless of vaccination status) are required to have a weekly negative test result for two weeks from exposure to the case and must test negative prior to competitions.

        These requirements may be modified based on the availability of and access to testing and will be reassessed when community transmission is no longer high. The youth sports guidelines will be posted here.

    • On August 23, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an updated Health Officer Order with the following changes:

      • Aligns with the State Public Health Officer’s August 18, 2021 Order Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors regarding Indoor Mega Events.
        • Beginning September 20, 2021, all attendees at Indoor Mega Events involving 1,000 or more persons must, prior to entry, show verification of COVID-19 vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 (diagnostic) test result. This is a lower attendance threshold than the previous requirement of 5,000 participants.
        • Clarifies that for all Indoor Mega Events scheduled on or after September 20, 2021, self-attestation is no longer a permitted method for vaccine verification or verification of negative COVID-19 test.
      • Requires specific infection control protocols for Youth Sports effective September 1, 2021, attached to this Order as Appendix S.
    • On August 16, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an updated Health Officer Order with the following changes effective as of 11:59 p.m. on August 19 for Outdoor Mega Events.

      • Requires all persons at an Outdoor Mega Event to wear a face mask, except when actively eating or drinking.
      • Clarifies that “actively eating or drinking” is the limited time during which the mask can be removed briefly to eat or drink, and that it must be immediately put back on afterward.
      • Outdoor mega events are outdoor events with crowds greater than 10,000 attendees and include music or food festivals, car shows, large endurance events, marathons, parades, sporting events and concerts.
    • On August 13, 2021

      Following the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approval of an additional dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people, Los Angeles County has begun administering third doses to those who qualify. The FDA has amended the Emergency Use Authorization for these vaccines to allow for a third dose which can be administered at least 28 days following the second dose of the vaccine.

      Ideally, individuals should be vaccinated with the same vaccine they received for the first and second dose, but if that is not possible, receiving a third dose with another mRNA vaccine is acceptable.

      Although the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines work very well in the majority of individuals, there is evidence that individuals who are severely immunocompromised are not fully protected after receiving two doses and this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose. Certain medical conditions or the treatments used for specific conditions may prevent the immune system from responding adequately to two doses of the vaccine and therefore require an additional dose to provide adequate protection from COVID-19. Individuals who qualify for a third dose include organ transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment, people with advanced or untreated HIV and those on certain immunosuppressive medications.

      The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) encourages individuals who qualify for a third dose to speak to their healthcare provider to confirm their eligibility and get vaccinated. Third doses of the vaccines will be accessible through vaccination sites that currently offer Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.  Eligible individuals will be able to provide a self-attestation that they have a qualifying medical condition at these sites.

      A follow-up dose is not currently recommended for those who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  The FDA is still evaluating data on the effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in immunocompromised individuals.  COVID-19 vaccine booster doses are also not recommended for the general public at this time. CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.

    • Update on the Delta Variant in Los Angeles County (as of September 3): The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) continues to track variant cases in Los Angeles County. While the most dominant circulating variant in L.A. County continues to be the highly transmissible Delta variant, a variant of concern, the Mu variant, a variant of interest, is being closely monitored.  To date, Public Health has identified 167 Mu variants in L.A. County; these specimens were sequenced between June 19 and Augusts 21, with the majority of Mu specimens sequenced in July.

      Mu was first identified in Colombia in January 2021 and has since been reported in 39 countries. The World Health Organization labelled variant Mu, lineage B.1.621, as a variant of interest on August 30, 2021. The Mu variant is found to have key mutations linked to greater transmissibility and the potential to evade antibodies.  More studies are needed to determine whether Mu variant is more contagious, more deadly or more resistant to vaccine and treatments than other COVID-19 strains.

    • Healthcare workers have been among Los Angeles County’s highest-risk populations for COVID-19 infections since the beginning of the pandemic. As PPE became more widely available and vaccinations increased among healthcare workers, their infection rates declined earlier this year. However, the County is now seeing transmission rise in this group. Between July 25-31, 268 healthcare workers and first responders tested positive for COVID-19. 

      Healthcare workers are not uniformly vaccinated, and while consistent use of respirators and PPE reduces the likelihood of transmission within healthcare settings, unvaccinated workers are still at higher risk for being infected in their communities when community transmission is high. Because many healthcare workers have close contact with very vulnerable patients, it is therefore of particular importance to prevent infection in healthcare workers: the better protected they are, the safer it is for the vulnerable people they care for and the easier it is to ensure that healthcare facilities are able to remain fully staffed during the pandemic.

      Given the need to protect healthcare workers and the populations they care for, on August 12, Los Angeles County issued a Health Officer Order (click for link) to align with State Orders that mandate vaccinations for healthcare workers by September 30. The County Order also includes three additional groups of healthcare workers: emergency medical technicians and paramedics, home healthcare workers, and dental practice employees. This Order applies to volunteers, contractors and students, in addition to part- and full-time employees and health care facilities. Exemptions to this requirement will be allowed only for qualifying medical or religious reasons, and exempt workers must be tested one to two times a week depending on the type of facility in which they work. Additionally, exempt workers must wear respiratory protection at all times. This can be in the form of medical grade masks or respirators such as N95s.

      The State also requires visitors to healthcare facilities, including visiting staff, to show proof of full vaccination or a negative test in the prior 72 hours upon visitation. The Order also mandates masking regardless of vaccination status and recommends a medical-grade mask or double masking. Additional restrictions may apply, so visitors should consult with the facility in advance for further instructions.

    • On July 30, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order with the following changes effective as of 11:59 p.m. on July 31:

      • Incorporates by reference, the July 26, 2021 State Public Health Officer Order that mandates specific public health requirements regarding worker vaccine status, respirators or masks and testing requirements for Acute Health Care and Long-Term Care settings, High-Risk Congregate Settings and Other Health Care Settings.
      • Reiterates that because the County is currently experiencing high rates of COVID-19 community transmission, all persons, in indoor public and business settings, must wear a face mask regardless of vaccination status.
    • Update on the Delta Variant in Los Angeles County (as of July 29): Specimens sequenced by several labs serving Southern California, including the Los Angeles County Public Health lab show the Delta variant is on the rise. Sequences collected between July 18-24 show that the Delta variant was isolated in 96% of the 675 specimens sequenced that week. This is consistent with the rise of Delta nationwide and CDC estimates. This now-predominant strain is more efficiently transmitted between people, likely due to its faster replication, higher viral load and greater affinity for lower respiratory tract cells compared with earlier COVID-19 strains.

      The science on this variant shows that it is different from earlier variants of COVID-19: it replicates faster and more efficiently in respiratory tract cells, which means that infected people may now spread up to 1,000 times more virus particles with every cough, sneeze or shout than they did a year ago. They may also spread the virus efficiently 2 days earlier in their illness course than did people who were infected a year ago. A more infectious variant indicates infected people have more opportunities to transmit the virus and can do so more efficiently before they realize they were even exposed. And while vaccinated people are extremely unlikely to get severely ill from COVID-19, there is a small risk of getting infected and transmitting the virus. This is why the Department of Public Health is asking everyone to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

    • On July 22, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order with the following changes:
      • Clarifies that customers, guests and patrons are not required to wear a face mask indoors while actively eating or drinking in a stationary place, receiving a personal care services that requires the removal of their mask, or when alone in a room or office.
      • Strongly recommends that all persons at Outdoor Mega-Events wear a face mask at all times when not seated in their ticketed seat.
      • Clarifies that persons in indoor private office settings need to wear a face mask. 
    • Update on the Delta Variant in Los Angeles County (as of July 22): While emerging data affirms that fully vaccinated people are well protected from severe infections with Delta variants, people with only one vaccine are not as well-protected, and there is increased evidence that a small number of fully vaccinated individuals can become infected and may be able to infect others. From July 11-17, the number of sequenced Delta variants was 201, 84% of all sequences collected that week. This is consistent with the rise of Delta nationwide: earlier this week, the CDC estimated that Delta strains accounted for 83% of circulating COVID-19. Given that about 4 million residents in the County are not yet vaccinated, the risk of increased spread of this variant within the County remains high.

    • Due to increased transmission, masks are required indoors at public settings and businesses regardless of vaccination status starting 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, July 17.  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health expects to keep this order in place until we begin to see improvements in our community transmission of COVID-19. Read the Health Officer Order HERE.

      When people wear a mask correctly, they protect others as well as themselves. Consistent and correct mask use is especially important indoors and outdoors when in close contact with (less than six feet from) others who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or whose vaccination status is unknown.
       
      Masks are required for everyone, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, in the following settings:
      • On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares)
      • In transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation),
      • Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings. (Note: This may change as updated State K-12 school guidance is forthcoming, pending updates for K-12 operational guidance from the CDC.),
      • Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities),
      • State and local correctional facilities and detention centers,
      • Homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers, and
      • All indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and businesses (examples:offices, retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, and state and local government offices serving the public, among others.)
       
      Recommendation: In indoor public and private settings where there is close contact with other people who may not be fully vaccinated, individuals should consider wearing a highler level of protection, such as wearing two masks ("double masking") or a wearing a respirator (e.g., KN95 or N95). This is particularly important if an individual is not fully vaccinated and is in an indoor or crowded outdoor setting.

      Individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts of public indoor settings must:

      • Require all patrons to wear masks for all indoor settings, regardless of their vaccination status; and
      • Post clearly visible and easy to read signage, with or without having an employee present, at all entry points for indoor and outdoor settings to communicate the masking requirements for patrons.

      Special considerations are made for people with communication difficulties or certain disabilities. Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel that fit well are an alternative type of mask for people who interact with: people who are deaf or hard of hearing, children or students learning to read, people learning a new language, and people with disabilities.

      All businesses, venue operators or hosts must implement measures to clearly communicate to non-employees the masking requirements on their premises.

      • No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.
      • The categories of persons who are exempt from mask requirements remain unchanged at this time and can be found at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/masks/#notwear. In workplaces, certain employees may be exempt from wearing a mask when performing specific tasks which cannot feasibly be performed while wearing a mask. This exception is limited to the period of time in which such tasks are actually being performed. Workers who cannot feasibly wear a mask while performing their work must be tested for COVID-19 at least twice per week, unless the employer is provided proof against COVID-19 or proof of recovery from laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days against COVID-19.
      • In workplaces, most employers and businesses are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and some to the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standards, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements. The ETS allow local health jurisdictions to require more protective mandates. This County Health Officer Order, which requires masking of all individuals at indoor public settings and businesses, regardless of vaccination status, is a such a mandate in Los Angeles County, and overrides the more permissive ETS regarding employee masking.
      • All employers and businesses subject to Cal/OSHA must review and comply with the active Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS). As approved and effective, the full text of the COVID-19 Prevention emergency standards will be listed under Title 8, Subchapter 7, sections 3205-3205.4 of the California Code of Regulations. All businesses or employers with independent contractors should also review the State Labor Office webpage entitled, "Independent Contractor Versus Employee."
    • Update on the Delta Variant in Los Angeles County (as of July 15): Tracking the proliferation of the Delta variant is a priority because the Delta variant is more easily spread between people – more than other variants of concern. And while emerging data affirms that fully vaccinated people are well protected from severe infections with Delta variants, people with only one vaccine are not as well-protected, and there is evidence that a very small number of fully vaccinated individuals can become infected and may be able to infect others. From June 27-July 3, the number of sequenced Delta variants was 124, 71% of all sequences collected that week. Given that slightly under 4 million residents in the County are not yet vaccinated, the risk of increased spread of this variant within the County remains high. 

    • Update on the Delta Variant in Los Angeles County (as of July 8): With the recent rise in cases, tracking the proliferation of variants of concern remains a priority to better understand the factors that may be contributing to increased community transmission. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is closely watching for Delta variants which were first detected in India, and are now estimated to comprise about half of U.S. cases.
      The Delta variant has been the most commonly sequenced variant in Los Angeles County since the beginning of June, now accounting for the majority of variants of concern identified by labs. From June 20-26, the number of sequenced Delta variants was 63, 54% of all sequences collected that week. The rising proportion of Delta among sequenced variants of concern is consistent with what other parts of the U.S. are seeing, and represents increased circulation of the variant. Given that slightly under 4 million residents in the County are not yet vaccinated, the risk of increased spread remains high. The data to date suggests fully vaccinated people are well protected from severe infections with the Delta variant. 

    • On June 28, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order for a Safer Return Together at Work and in the Community to require masks for everyone, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, at an additional setting – any business or government office serving the public that requires everyone to wear a mask.

    • Fully vaccinated people appear to be well protected from infections with Delta variants, however people with only one vaccine dose of Pfizer or Moderna are not as well-protected. The smaller number of COVID-19 infections identified in people who are fully vaccinated have been mild illnesses. Until the Department of Public Health better understands how and to who the Delta variant is spreading, everyone should focus on maximum protection with minimum interruption to routine as all businesses operate without other restrictions, like physical distancing and capacity limits. The CDC noted that Delta variants are now responsible for about one in every five new infections across the country, up from approximately one in every 10 the week before.

    • Nearly All Cases, Hospitalizations and Deaths in Los Angeles County Occurring in those Unvaccinated: From December 7, 2020, when vaccinations first became available, to June 7, 2021, 99.6% of the County’s nearly 437,000 COVID-19 cases were individuals who were unvaccinated. There were nearly 12,900 COVID-19 hospitalizations over this time period, 98.7% occurred among people who were unvaccinated.  Among the 12,234 COVID-19 deaths across L.A. County during this period, 99.8% were among unvaccinated people.

      After a period of persistent declines in many metrics, L.A. County is starting to see small increases in cases, hospitalizations, and daily test positivity. This is a signal that the virus is still here and that even now everyone needs to be careful to mask and maintain a distance from people outside your households, if not yet vaccinated. The County’s recovery is best supported by continuing to take sensible safety precautions that prevent increases in community transmission.

    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of June 24): Although transmission rates remain relatively low, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) continues to track the proliferation of variants of concern, because where there are pockets of unvaccinated individuals, these variants can proliferate. In the United States, the Delta variants have become increasingly prevalent among the strains sequenced: the CDC notes that Delta variants account for almost 21% of cases across the country.  LACDPH is especially concerned about this variant because it appears to be highly transmissible – that is, it is more contagious even than other highly contagious COVID-19 variants.

      In the week ending June 12, Delta variants comprised of nearly 48% of all variants sequenced in Los Angeles County.  The 123 Delta variants collected between April 21 and June 12 are geographically clustered. Forty-nine of these cases were isolated from residents of Palmdale and Lancaster, and 14 of these cases are associated with one household. About half of the people with a Delta variant lived in a household with at least one other Delta variant case.  While fully vaccinated people appear to be well protected from infections with Delta variants, people with only one vaccine are not as well-protected.

    • On June 15, the County modified their travel guidance to align with State and CDC guidance on travel. Please do not travel if you are sick, you have a recent positive COVID-19 test result or you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test after being exposed to the virus. You could spread COVID-19 to others. 

    • On June 14, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new Health Officer Order for a Safer Return Together at Work and in the Community effective as of 12:01 a.m. on June 15.

      Brief Highlights:

      • Rescinds most LACDPH sector-specific protocols and aligns with the State Beyond the Blueprint for Industry and Business Sectors and the accompanying memoranda and orders of the State Public Health Officer.
      • Urges everyone, especially those who are not or cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19, to continue to exercise caution and good judgment as physical distancing requirements and capacity limitations are removed.
    • On June 2, the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order was revised to permit the operation of Overnight Organized / Children’s Camps in compliance with the requirements of Appendix K-1. Owners and operators must give prior notice of intended operation to County Environmental Health to allow sufficient time for an inspection of the premises before reopening.
    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of May 22): Variant cases of COVID-19 continue to be identified in Los Angeles County. The most common circulating variant of concern in the County is now the UK variant (B.1.1.7); in the past, the California (B.1.427/429) variants have been dominant. Of the 40 specimens analyzed by the Public Health Laboratory in the past week, 53% were the UK variant and none were the California variant. The lab also detected six Brazil (P.1) variants last week and one South African variant (B.1.351). 
      The identification of these variants and the news of spreading variants from across the globe highlights the need for residents to continue to take measures to protect themselves and others: this is particularly true for those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 who can end up unknowingly being incubators of variants of concern. If you are not yet vaccinated or unable to get vaccinated, it is very important that you continue to wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of distance when around others not in your household and consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. 
    • On May 14, the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order was updated to clarify that professional services businesses, including residential and commercial real estate, should operate in compliance with Appendix A: Social Distancing.
    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of May 14): The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continues to track and study variants of COVID-19 in the County. Like all viruses, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, changes constantly through mutation, and the more transmission there is of the virus, the more mutations there will be. The two most commonly circulating variants of concern in the County have been, and remain, the UK (B.1.1.7) and California (B.1.427/429) variants. Of the 79 specimens analyzed by the Public Health Laboratory in the past week, 35% were the UK variant and 6% were the California variant. The lab also detected 11 Brazil (P.1) variants last week, a significant increase from prior sequencing results. All of the information currently available indicates that vaccines appear to be highly effective in preventing transmission, hospitalizations and deaths, even with the increased presence of variants.
    • On May 5, the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order was updated to reflect newly permitted activities allowed in the yellow tier, beginning Thursday, May 6 at 12:01 a.m. Additional safety modifications are required or recommended for some sectors.
      • The modifications to the Health Officer Order include the following:
        • Amusement/Theme Parks/Fairs can increase capacity to 35%.  Fully vaccinated out of state visitors are permitted.
        • Bars that do not provide meals can operate indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer. Masking always required, except when eating or drinking; drinking and eating only while seated. Tables must be at least 6 feet apart and no counter seating/service. Maximum of 6 people from one household per table; if everyone in a group is vaccinated, 6 people can sit together from up to 6 different households. TV viewing is permitted. No live entertainment permitted indoors. Outdoors tables can have a maximum 8 persons per table from up to 3 different households; if everyone in a group is vaccinated, 8 people sit together from up to 8 different households. Live entertainment and TV viewing permitted outdoors. No counter seating/service.
        • Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries that do not serve meals can increase indoors capacity to 50% or 200 people, whichever is fewer. No live entertainment permitted indoors. These establishments will follow the same public health directives as bars for their outdoor areas.
        • Restaurants can increase capacity for indoor dining to 50% capacity with continued safety modifications. There must be 6 feet distancing between tables. Maximum of 6 people from one household per table; if everyone in a group is vaccinated, 6 people can sit together from up to 6 different households.
        • Cardrooms/Racetracks/Satellite Wagering Facilities can operate indoors at 50% capacity. There must be 6-feet of distancing between tables and masks are always required. Food and beverages remain banned at the tables.
        • Fitness Centers can operate indoors at 50% capacity. Masks are always required unless swimming.
        • Movie Theatres can operate at 50% capacity. Reserved seating only where each group is seated with at least 6 feet of distance between any other groups (in all directions); capacity is limited to ensure that there is at least 6 feet of distance between groups. Seating sections can be established for fully vaccinated people without 6 feet distancing requirements provided there is 3 feet of distance between these sections and other seats in the theatre. Eating is allowed in only designated areas or in your reserved seat.
        • Family Entertainment Centers can operate at 50% capacity, 75% if all guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. Masks are required.
        • Grocery and Retail Stores capacity remains limited to 75% with continued requirement for distancing of at least 6 feet between customers.
        • Hair Salons, Barbershops and Personal Care Services can operate at 75% capacity with masks required, except for services where customers need to remove their masks. For services where customers must remove their face coverings, staff must wear a fitted N95 mask or a face covering with a face shield.
        • Museums, Zoos and Aquariums can be open indoors at 75% capacity with safety modifications.
        • Waterparks can operate at 40% capacity with safety modifications.
        • Youth and Adult Recreational Sports and Community Sporting Events can apply to Public Health for approval for athletic events, tournaments or competitions that involve more than two teams or multiple individuals.  Indoor moderate and high contact sports are permitted following Collegiate Sports Protocols, which includes regular testing.
        • Live Event and Performance Indoor venues up to 1,500 guests can operate at a maximum of 25% capacity or 50% if guests are tested or show proof of full vaccination. Venues with 1,501 guests and above can operate at 10% capacity of 2,000 people; whichever is fewer or 50% capacity for tested or fully vaccinated guests.
        • Live Event and Performance Outdoor venues can expand to 67% capacity with safety modifications.
    • Los Angeles County Meets Yellow Tier Threshold: Los Angeles County has met the threshold for the least restrictive yellow tier in the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. On May 4, the State released updated blueprint tier numbers; Los Angeles County's adjusted case rate dropped from 1.9 new cases per 100,000 people to 1.6 new cases per 100,000. The overall test positivity rate dropped from 0.9% to 0.7%, and in areas with the fewest health affirming resources, the County’s test positivity rate dropped from 1.0% to 0.8%.
      A revised Health Officer Order will go into effect on Thursday, May 6, to reflect newly permitted activities. Moving into the yellow tier allows, on Thursday, for increases in capacity in many sectors and allows bars to begin providing indoor service at 25% capacity. All of these changes will still require safety modifications, including masking, distancing and infection control to reduce the risk of transmission. The sectors with increases in capacity limits include amusement parks and fairs, gyms and fitness centers, yoga studios, private events, bars, hotels and short-term lodging rentals, private gatherings, breweries, indoor playgrounds, restaurants, cardrooms and racetracks, indoor and outdoor live events and performances, wineries and tasting rooms, family entertainment centers, and museums, zoos, and aquariums. The modified Health Officer Order will be posted on Wednesday, May 5 with an effective date of Thursday, May 6.
    • On April 29, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health posted the revised Health Officer Order (HOO): Reopening Safer at Work and in the Community For Control of COVID-19, dated April 29, 2021, effective as of 12:01 AM on Friday, April 30, 2021.
      • The following updates were included:
        The Health Officer Order aligns with the change in CDC recommendations around masking for fully vaccinated people. 
        Indoor arcades and indoor playgrounds (bounce centers, ball pits, laser tag) are allowed to open at 25% maximum indoor capacity with safety modifications. 
        Bars, breweries and wineries hours of operation limitations due to the pandemic have been removed.
        Employees who are fully vaccinated at food service facilities have the option of wearing a face shield in addition to a face mask when in close contact with customers; wearing a mask is still required. Employers must verify and document an employee's full vaccination status if a fully vaccinated employee chooses not to wear a face shield.  
        In-person behavioral health (mental health and substance use) therapeutic and educational support groups, such as Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous or Patient Education groups, may return to typical participant levels with specified safety modifications.
    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of April 21): The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continues to identify variant cases in Los Angeles County. The two most commonly circulating variants of concern in the County have been and remain the UK (B.1.1.7) and California (B.1.427/429) variants. Of the 59 specimens analyzed by the Public Health Laboratory in the past week, 50% were the UK variant and 10% were the California variant. Most of the specimens analyzed were associated with clusters of cases, and where specimens were sequenced from larger outbreaks, the UK variant is currently identified more often than other virus variants. The Public Health Laboratory did not detect any additional Brazil (P.1) variants last week, although it is likely there are undetected cases of this variant circulating in our region.
    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of April 14): The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continues to identify variant cases in the County. The two most commonly circulating variants of concern in have been the UK (B.1.1.7) and California (B.1.427/429) variants. Of the 40 specimens analyzed by the Public Health Laboratory in the past week, 55% were the UK variant and 28% were the California variant. The Public Health Laboratory also detected three Brazil (P.1) variants last week. Although these are the first confirmed Brazil variant cases in the County, it is likely there are other undetected cases of this variant circulating in our region.
    • The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is making several changes to the Health Officer Order that will take effect on Thursday, April 15. These changes align with the State changes to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy regarding indoor live events and performances, private events such as conferences, receptions and meetings, and private informal gatherings. The updated Health Officer Order reflecting these modifications will be posted online on Wednesday, April 14 along with changes to the protocols for each of these sectors.
      • Starting this Thursday, indoor live events and performances will be permitted in Los Angeles County with the following safety measures:
        • Indoor live events and performances are able to open for in-state visitors only, who must pre-purchase tickets.
        • Eating or drinking is not permitted anywhere except pre-designated eating areas.
        • Masks must be worn at all times except when in designated eating areas.
        • There must be 6-feet of distance between different households unless people are fully vaccinated.
        • As with outdoor live events, employers must offer a weekly worker testing program.
      • For venues that hold up to 1,500 people, there is a maximum capacity limit of 15% or 200 people, whichever is fewer. However, the capacity limit can increase to 35% if all guests are tested or vaccinated. For venues holding more than 1,500 people, there is a capacity limit of 10% or 2,000 people, whichever is fewer, although the capacity limit can increase to 25% if all guests are tested or vaccinated.
      • Private meetings such as conferences, receptions and meetings will be permitted starting on Thursday, April 15 with the following safety measures:
        • There must be a defined guest list or tickets must be purchased.
        • Masks must be worn at all times unless attendees are eating or drinking.
        • There must be 6-feet of distance between tables and chairs for guests not vaccinated.
        • There must be assigned seating or a seating chart with a max of 6 people per table for guests not vaccinated.
        • And there can be no intermingling of multiple private events.
      • For outdoor private events, a maximum of 100 people is allowed, but that limit can increase to 300 people if all guests are tested or vaccinated. Tables are also limited to 6 people from a maximum of 3 households unless everyone at the table is vaccinated. Indoor private events are only allowed if all guests are tested or vaccinated with a limit of 150 guests.
      • The County is also modifying the protocols for private social or informal gatherings. Outdoor gatherings can have up to a maximum of 50 people. Masks will be required at all times unless people are eating or drinking. There must be 6-feet of distance between tables and chairs. Seating at tables is restricted to 6 people from up to three households. If everyone is vaccinated, the capacity limit at tables are not necessary. 
      • Indoor private gatherings are permitted, but strongly discouraged. If you choose to hold an indoor private gathering, the following are required safety modifications:
        • A max of 25 people or a 25% capacity limit where capacity limits exist.
        • Masks must be worn at all times, unless everyone is full vaccinated.
        • And there can be no eating or drinking unless everyone attending is fully vaccinated or everyone attending is fully vaccinated except for members of 1 household that does not have any high-risk individuals.
    • Update on Variants in Los Angeles County (as of April 7): The Department of Public Health has identified one case of the South African variant, B.1.351, and three cases of the Brazilian P.1 variant, both variants of concern. The CDC classified the South African and Brazilian variants as variants of concern because they are potentially associated with increased transmissibility and reduced susceptibility to certain therapeutics. Although these are the first reported cases of the South African and Brazilian variant in the County, it is likely there are additional undetected/undiagnosed cases. 
      Among 70 specimens analyzed at the Public Health Laboratory this past week, 64% of the specimens analyzed were the UK variant of concern, B.1.1.7 and 20% were the California variant of concern identified as B.1.427 or 429. This means 84% of the variants identified this past week are variants of concern with the probability of increased transmissibility and more severe disease. Three cases of the New York variant were also detected this week, which is a variant of interest. There were no cases of the Brazilian P.2 variant identified this week.
    • Los Angeles County Travel Advisory and Guidance:
      • On April 5, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated their travel advisory:
        • All individuals should continue to avoid non-essential travel
        • Fully vaccinated persons are at lower risk and may travel taking public health precautions
          • If asymptomatic, no quarantine or testing is needed upon return
      • All non-essential travelers who are not fully vaccinated must:
        • Quarantine for 7 full days after travel if they get tested and get a negative COVID-19 viral test result from a specimen collected 3-5 days after their arrival
        • Quarantine for 10 full days after travel if they did not get tested with a COVID-19 viral test after their arrival
      • All travelers must:
        • Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days, and avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness
        • Isolate and should get tested if symptoms develop
      • To view the full travel advisory and guidance, visit the County’s website here.
    • On April 2, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order; it will take effect on April 5. Updates include:
      • Revisions reflecting the County’s move into the Orange Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy
      • New protocols for Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances, Amusement Parks and Theme Parks, and Bars with a low-risk public health food facility permit
      • Increased capacity limits while maintaining Physical Distancing and masking requirements for the following sectors: Restaurants, Breweries and Wineries, Cardrooms, Places of Worship, Family Entertainment Centers, Shopping Malls, Retail, Fitness Centers, Personal Care Establishments, Limited Services, Movie Theaters, Museums, and Institutes of Higher Education​
    • As of March 30, Los Angeles County has met the threshold for the less restrictive orange tier in the State's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
      • A revised Los Angeles County Health Officer Order will go into effect on Monday, April 5 at 12:01 a.m. to reflect newly permitted activities. This allows the County to follow the state guidelines and wait until three weeks are completed in the red tier to be sure that case numbers do not rise this third week since the County’s earlier re-openings. The Health Officer Order and modified directives for businesses will be posted on Friday, April 2, with an effective date of April 5.
      • On April 5, assuming County case numbers do not increase, the following changes will be made to the Health Officer Order:
        • Bars that do not provide meals will be allowed to open outdoors with distancing, masking and infection control safety measures. Indoor operations are not permitted. Masks are required except when people are eating or drinking. There can be no counter seating and people can eat or drink only when they are seated. Tables must be 8 feet apart, with a maximum of 6 people from up to 3 different households. There can be no live entertainment, television is permitted, and hours of operations are from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
        • Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries that do not serve meals can remain open outdoors and can also open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer. These establishments will follow the same public health directives as bars for their outdoor areas, however, there are additional requirements for indoor spaces: reservations are required for indoor seating, there is a maximum of 6 people per table and they must be from the same household, and there is no live entertainment or television viewing indoors.
        • Restaurants can increase capacity for indoor dining to 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is less with continued safety modifications.
        • Cardrooms can operate indoors at 25% capacity. There must be 8-feet of distancing between tables and masks are always required. Food and beverages remain banned from card tables.
        • Places of Worship can hold services indoors at 50% capacity.
        • Fitness Centers can operate indoors at 25% capacity and indoor pools can now re-open. Masks are always required unless swimming.
        • Movie Theatres can increase capacity to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less. Seats must be reserved, and each group must have 6 feet of distance from other groups in all directions. Eating is allowed in only designated areas or in your reserved seat.
        • Family Entertainment Centers can open indoors at 25% capacity for distanced activities, such as bowling or escape rooms. Masks remain required.
        • Grocery and Retail Stores can increase capacity to 75%, although Public Health strongly recommends grocery stores remain at 50% capacity until April 15 to allow as many grocery store workers as possible get vaccinated.
        • Hair Salons, Barbershops and Personal Care Services can increase capacity to 75% with masks required, except for services where customers need to remove their masks. For services where customers must remove their face coverings, staff must wear a fitted N95 or a mask with a face shield.
        • Museums, Zoos and Aquariums can be open indoors at 50% capacity.
        • Youth and Adult Recreational Sports can apply to Public Health for approval for athletic events, tournaments or competitions that involve more than two teams or multiple individuals.
    • On March 19, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order. The following changes took effect on March 20:
      • Breweries, Wineries and Craft Distilleries that do not provide a meal may open for outdoor service only with certain restrictions, including: 
        • All guests must have reservations;
        • Guests are limited to a 90-minute time limit for their visit;
        • Guests must be seated at tables before they place their order, and are not permitted to stand or congregate with others;
        • And hours are limited with service for on-site consumption closing by 8:00 pm.
      • Breweries, Wineries and Craft Distilleries that serve a bona fide meal can be open for indoor dining operations at 25% of indoor capacity and must follow the same modifications required of restaurants.
      • Clarity for certain types of businesses that serve the public but are not typical retail establishments, such as non-school learning centers, bank and credit union branches, check cashing services, tax preparation, auto repair, auto dealerships and dry cleaners. These types of limited services businesses are now permitted for indoor operations with modifications at 50% capacity.
      • For mental health, support groups and spiritual counseling, the number of in-person participants increases from 10 to 12 participants to make this type of support more accessible to those in the community. Public Health still encourages services to be provided remotely when at all possible.
      • For office-based worksites, businesses that must open indoors for essential operations that cannot be done remotely must also limit indoor capacity to 50% of maximum occupancy.
      • For youth and adult recreational sports, the County is aligning with State to allow for indoor sports to engage in indoor activities, including training, conditioning, contact practice and competition if they adhere to State requirements. 
        • Limiting any indoor sports activities to 10% of indoor occupancy; observers are not permitted for any youth or adult indoor sports activities, including competitions;
        • Regular testing of players, coaches and staff;
        • Development and implementation of a Return to Play Safety Plan and a Site-Specific Safety Plan. Plans must be filed with Public Health 14-days prior to indoor activity.
    • On March 12, the State announced 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to people in the most under-resourced communities across the state which now allows Los Angeles County to move to the less restrictive red tier.

      The Health Officer Order has been updated and aligns closely with the State’s re-opening framework allowed in the red tier. Additional safety modifications are required or recommended for certain sectors. 

      Effective Monday, March 15 at 12:01 a.m., the following are permitted:​

      • Museum, Zoos and Aquariums can open indoors at 25% capacity.
      • Gyms, Fitness Centers, Yoga and Dance Studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with masking requirement for all indoor activities.
      • Movie Theatres can open indoors at 25% capacity with reserved seating only where each group is seated with at least 6 feet of distance in all directions between any other groups.
      • Retail and Personal Care Services can increase capacity to 50% with masking required at all times and for all services.
      • Restaurants can open indoors at 25% max capacity under the following conditions: eight feet distancing between tables; one household per indoor table with a limit of six people; the HVAC system is in good working order and has been evaluated, and to the maximum extent possible ventilation has been increased. Public Health strongly recommends that all restaurant employees interacting with customers indoors are provided with additional masking protection (above the currently required face shield over face masks); this can be fit tested N95 masks, KN95 masks, or double masks, in addition to the required face shield. Public Health also strongly recommends that all employees working indoors are informed about and offered opportunities to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Outdoor dining can accommodate up to six people per table from three different households.
      • Indoor Shopping Malls can increase capacity to 50% with common areas remaining closed; food courts can open at 25% capacity adhering to the restaurant guidance for indoor dining.
      • Institutes of Higher Education can re-open all permitted activities with required safety modifications except for residential housing which remains under current restrictions for the Spring semester.
      • Schools are permitted to re-open for in-person instruction for students in grades 7-12 adhering to all state and county directives.
      • Private gatherings can occur indoors with up to three separate households, with masking and distancing required at all times.  People who are fully vaccinated can gather in small numbers indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated without required masking and distancing. 
    • On March 10, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order to include the CDC Interim Public Health Guidance for fully vaccinated people and visits or small private gatherings.
    • On February 20, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 14 total cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 (U.K. variant) in Los Angeles County. This variant is known to spread more easily and quickly than other variants and is circulating in the state and county. In January 2021, scientists from U.K. reported evidence that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.
    • On February 18, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order to note that per the State Consolidated Framework and Guidance, when the County adjusted daily case rate has been less than 25 per 100,000 population for five consecutive days and the school has met all the state and county requirements for reopening, schools may open for in-person instruction for students in grades TK-6. Schools in California may not reopen for in-person instruction for grades 7-12 if the county is in Tier 1 (Purple, Widespread).
    • On February 10, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated the Health Officer Order. In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and the subsequent change made by the State related to Places of Worship in Tier 1, Places of Worship can open for indoor services limited to 25% of indoor capacity and must continue to comply with the required modifications provided by Appendix A.
    • On February 3, Los Angeles County updated the Travel Advisory and Guidance. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 during this pandemic. Please do NOT travel if you are sick. To read the full Travel Advisory and Guidance, click here. 
      • Non-Essential Travel
        1. Los Angeles County residents should continue to avoid all non-essential travel and stay within 120 miles from their place of residence, unless they are traveling for essential purposes. "Non-essential travel" includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. 
        2. All non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering the County of Los Angeles and need to self-quarantine. 
        3. All persons arriving in or returning to the County of Los Angeles from other states or countries, must self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders solely for the purpose of essential travel.
      • Quarantine Requirements

        If you do travel into Los Angeles County from outside of California, you need to self-quarantine for 10 days after you arrive and must limit your interactions to people in your household/people with whom you live. If you travel into Los Angeles County solely for essential work purposes, you need to still self-quarantine outside of your work for 10 days and ensure you do not mix with others outside of those necessary to conduct your essential work.

      • People at high-risk of severe COVID-19 should be particularly careful about traveling, including:
        People who are older, smoke or are overweight
        Pregnant women
        People with certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart problems, COPD, cancer, weakened immune systems, and sickle cell disease.
    • On January 29, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a revised Health Officer Order to allow reopening of some additional businesses with updated protocols and to remove the closure of Lower-Risk Retail Businesses between 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. Read the Health Officer Order here.

      Outdoor dining allowable with physical distancing and new infection control protocols in place

      • Employees that may come in contact with customers must wear both a face mask and a face shield at all times when interacting with customers and when in customer service areas.
      • Outdoor dining table seating must be limited to no more than 6 people per table, all of whom must be from the same household.
      • Outdoor tables must be repositioned or removed so that all tables are at least 8 feet apart.
      • Televisions or other screens that broadcast programming must remain off.
    • On January 25, the California Department of Public Health ended the Regional Stay Home Order across California. This action comes as the four-week ICU capacity projections are above 15%. Counties will return to their assigned Blueprint for a Safer Economy tiers. LA County is in the purple or widespread tier, the most restrictive tier. With the cancellation of the Regional Stay Home Order, the LA County Health Officer Order issued on Nov. 25 is now in effect until a new Health Officer Order is issued on Friday, allowing restaurants to reopen for outdoor dining with occupancy limits and masking requirements.
       
      Allowable starting, January 25, 2021
      • Private Gatherings: Limited to 3 households & total of 15 people outdoors only
      • Family Entertainment Centers: Open for outdoor operations (50%)
      • Museums, zoos and aquariums: Open for outdoor operations
      • Cardrooms: Open for outdoor operations (50%)
      • Miniature golf, go karts, batting cages: Open for outdoor operations (50%)
      • Outdoor recreational activity: Open
      • Hotel, motels: Tourism and individual travel allowed
      • Fitness facilities: Open for outdoor operations
      • Personal care: Open at 25% indoor capacity
      • Indoor malls, shopping centers, lower-risk retail: Open at 25% indoor capacity, food courts and common areas closed
      Allowable Starting January 29, 2021
      • Restaurants: Outdoor Only
    • On January 22, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported they are monitoring another variant known as the Denmark variant, or what experts have labeled as L452R. What is not known at this point is whether it is more transmissible, but there is concern about its mutations. This variant is in California and is beginning to show up in a lot more samples, according to one independent analysis.
    • On January 16, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that it confirmed the first case of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the United Kingdom (U.K.), in an individual who recently spent time in Los Angeles County.
      Although this is the first confirmed case of the U.K. variant in Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health believes that it is already spreading in the community. Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and persist. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
      The variant B.1.1.7 spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. Currently, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. This variant was first detected in September 2020 and is now highly prevalent in London and Southeast England. It has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the United States and Canada. The Centers for Disease Control conducts routine analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequence data to support public health response. The Department of Public Health lab is also regularly analyzing specimens for variants, including the U.K. variant, and, to date, has not identified other cases linked to this specific variant.
    • On December 30, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order to include a Mandatory Directive on Travel (Appendix W). Persons arriving in Los Angeles County from anywhere outside of the Southern California Region on or from non-essential travel, including returning Los Angeles County residents, must self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Quarantine may end after Day 10 if travelers never had any symptoms and they continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after arrival. If they develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 during the quarantine period, they must isolate as required. The Southern California Region is defined as the counties of Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.  
    • On December 27, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order. It will remain in effect for as long as the State Public Health Officer’s Regional Stay at Home remains in effect in the Southern California Region.
    • On December 19, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order to align with recent Supreme Court rulings for places of worship. Places of worship are permitted to offer faith-based services both indoors and outdoors with mandatory physical distancing and face masks over both the nose and mouth that must be worn at all times while on site. Places of worship must also assure that attendance does not exceed the number of people who can be accommodated while maintaining a physical distance of six feet between separate households. It is strongly recommended that places of worship continue to hold services outdoors, with physical distancing and the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to congregants and to the entire community.
    • On December 9, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order to fully align with the State Regional Stay at Home Order. The Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations and requires 100% masking and physical distancing.  
      • Under the order, the following sectors are allowed to remain open with safety precautions: 
        • Critical infrastructure (when remote option is not possible)
        • Schools
        • Non-urgent medical and dental care
        • Child care and pre-K
      • The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:
        • Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only for the purpose of facilitating physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise, without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
        • Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity, and 35% of capacity for standalone grocery stores, with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. 
        • Shopping centers: Allow indoor access at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
        • Hotels and lodging: Allow for COVID-19 mitigation and containment measures, treatment measures, provide accommodation for essential workers, or providing housing solutions, including measures to protect homeless populations.
        • Restaurants: Allow only for take out or delivery.
        • Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible. 
        • Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor activities only.
        • Entertainment production: Industries, studios, and other related establishments such as establishments that provide content for professional broadcast can operate without live audiences.
      • The following sectors must be closed (except to the extent that their operations fall within critical infrastructure):
        • Hair salons and barbershops
        • Personal care services
        • Museums, zoos and aquariums
        • Movie theaters (except drive-in)
        • Wineries, bars, breweries and distilleries
        • Family entertainment centers
        • Cardrooms and satellite wagering
        • Limited services
        • Live audience sports
        • Amusement parks
    • On December 6, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order to fully align with the State Regional Stay at Home Order. The Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes sector operations and requires 100% masking and physical distancing.
      • The following sectors are required to close or remain closed for all operations: 
        • Amusement parks
        • Live audience sports
        • Cardrooms and satellite wagering
        • Family entertainment centers
        • Bars, breweries and distilleries
        • Wineries
        • Movie theaters
        • Museums, zoos and aquariums
        • Personal care services
        • Hair salons and barbershops
        • Indoor recreational facilities
        • Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
      • The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:
        • Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays for recreational visits at campgrounds will not be permitted.
        • Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. 
        • Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores and all common areas closed. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
        • Hotels and lodging: Allow to open for critical infrastructure support only.
        • Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up or delivery.
        • Offices: Allow remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible. 
        • Places of worship and political expression: Allow outdoor services only.
        • Entertainment production including professional sports: Allow operation without live audiences. Additionally, testing protocol and “bubbles” are highly encouraged.
      • The Order does not modify existing school guidance. Schools that are open under County protocols can continue to provide in-person instruction as permitted.
      • The following sectors are allowed to remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures including 100% masking and physical distancing:
        • Critical infrastructure
        • Non-urgent medical and dental care
        • Childcare
    • On Saturday, November 28, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Temporary, Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order for Control of COVID-19, effective from 12:01 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time) November 30, 2020 to 11:59 p.m. (PST) December 20, 2020. 

      This Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Order for Control of COVID-19: Tier 1 Substantial Surge Response is issued to temporarily replace the most recently issued Reopening Safer at Work and in the Community for Control of COVID-19 Order issued by the County of Los Angeles Health Officer. Click here for a summary document of the changes. 

      This Temporary Order is issued as a response to the recent substantial rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Over the last five calendar days, the County of Los Angeles is averaging more than 4,500 newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases per day. Between November 13-27, 2020, hospitalizations of confirmed COVID-19 patients have increased by 101% to 1,893. The Health Officer expects both the number of new cases and hospitalizations to continue to rapidly increase over the next 21 days. Without rapid public health interventions, continued and substantial increases in both cases and hospitalizations will stress the health care system. This stress will limit the availability of Intensive Care Unit beds for non-COVID-19 hospitalizations.

      This Temporary Order’s intent is to continue to ensure that County residents remain in their residences as much as practicable, to limit close contact with others outside their household in both indoor and outdoor spaces and to further reduce the increased risk of community transmission of COVID-19 resulting from the unprecedented surge of new daily cases.

      All public and private gatherings and events with people from more than one household are not permitted except for outdoor faith-based services and outdoor protests.

      People leaving their residences must strictly comply with the Social (Physical) Distancing, as specified in guidance or protocols established by the County Department of Public Health. This Temporary Order requires all persons wear a face mask over both the nose and mouth whenever they leave their place of residence and are or can be in contact with non-household members in public or private places, both indoors and outdoors.

      The Temporary Targeted Safer at Home Health Officer Order is available by clicking here.

    • On Wednesday, November 25, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated its Reopening Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order to better align with the State Public Health Officer's Order of November 19. The new Health Officer Order:
      • Align(s) this Order with the State Public Health Officer's November 19, 2020 "Limited Stay at Home Order," effective in counties under Tier One (Purple) of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, requiring that all gatherings with members of other households and all activities conducted outside the residence, lodging or temporary accommodation with members of other households cease between 10:00 p.m. PST and 5:00 a.m. PST, except for those activities permitted in this order or required by law, which took effect on November 21, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. PST. This State "Limited Stay at Home Order" remains in effect until 5:00 a.m. PST on December 21, 2020 and may be extended or revised as needed.
      • Require(s) restaurants, breweries and wineries to only offer food and beverage via take-out, drive thru or delivery. Wineries and breweries may continue their retail operations. These limitations are effective November 25 through December 17, 2020.
      • You can read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On Thursday, November 19, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a revised "Reopening Safer at Work and in the Community for Control of COVID-19" Health Officer Order. Effective as of November 20, the Health Officer Order has been updated to do the following:
      • Limit number of persons at private outdoor gatherings to 15 persons, all from a maximum of three different "households," which includes the host "household." Clarify steps someone should take to notify attendees and contact Public Health if they develop COVID-19 within 48 hours after attending a private gathering.
      • Limit number of customers at outdoor restaurants, breweries and wineries to 50% of the establishment's outdoor capacity. Restaurants, breweries and wineries may not be open for in-person outdoor dining and wine services, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., but may continue to serve food for delivery, drive-thru and carry out during the time closed for in-person dining.
      • Limit number of customers at outdoor cardrooms, miniature golf, batting cages and go-kart racing to 50% of the establishment's outdoor capacity.
      • Limit the number of persons at indoor operations for retail, office and personal care to 25% capacity. Require face masks to be worn by customers at all times while at Personal Care Establishments.
      • Clarify that an essential business must comply with the Social (Physical) Distancing Protocol and all other applicable protocols for its business sector.
      • Specify the type of retail food markets that must comply with the new Protocols for Grocery Stores and Retail Food Markets.
      • You can read the revised Health Officer Order here.
    • On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced that effective Friday, November 20, Los Angeles County will tighten pandemic safeguards and restrictions as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to increase significantly. These safeguards and restrictions protect the public health and safety of our residents, and their ability to be served in our hospitals. COVID-19 cases have more than doubled since the beginning of November and hospitalizations have increased from an average of about 900 a day to well over 1,000 a day in same time period.
    • On October 23, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to allow the following activities:
      • Permit batting cages, miniature golf and go-cart racing to operate outside only. Arcades and other indoor family entertainment operations remain closed.
      • Permit personal care establishments to offer services indoors with modifications.
      • Clarify permitted food services at indoor malls and shopping centers.
      • Increase the percentage of students with IEPs and Els, and other high-need students allowed at any one time on a K-12 campus from 10% to 25%.
      • Permit schools to reopen TK-2nd grades for classroom instruction only with a waiver application approved by the Department of Public Health.
      • Wineries that do not serve food may serve wine to customers outdoors with modifications. Bars and craft distilleries remain closed. Read more.
      • Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On October 14, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to more closely align with California Department of Public Health Guidance for the Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission for Gatherings. The Health Officer Order allows private gatherings of three or fewer households, as long as the private gathering is outdoors, everyone wears a face mask and keeps at least six feet of physical distance, food is in single-serve disposable containers and the duration of the gathering is two hours or less. Private gatherings with people from different households increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the risk increasing the longer the gathering. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends if you do gather with two other households, that you do so with the same households each time, to create a quasi-bubble that can reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Large public events and gatherings remain prohibited, even if held outdoors. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On October 6, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to allow outdoor dining at non-restaurant breweries and wineries. Read the Health Officer Order here and view reopening chart.
    • On October 5, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to allow the following sectors to reopen on the following dates under the following restrictions. Read the Health Officer Order here and view reopening chart. Public Health is consulting with County Counsel to determine the process and date for re-opening outdoor operations at breweries and wineries serving a meal.
    • On September 29, after a motion was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will plan to open the school waiver program for in-person instruction for grades TK-2. The program will begin accepting applications in early October for 30 schools per week and prioritize the issuance of waivers to schools with higher percentages of students qualified for free/reduced meals. Superintendents must submit school district waiver requests to re-open for approval by the local Health Officer.
    • On September 2, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health revised the Health Officer Order to allow for limited, on-campus operation for schools as well as limited in-door operations of hair salons and barbershops. Read the Health Officer Order here.
      • Schools: Beginning Monday, September 14, schools K-12 may offer in-school services for small cohorts of (up to 12) students as long as the school is able to fully implement the Health Officer’s reopening protocols. These students include:
        • Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP)
        • Students requiring instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) 
        • Students needing assessments or specialized in-school services
        • The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will not be opening the waiver program for instruction of students in grades TK-6.
      • Hair Salons and Barbershops: Hair salons and barbershops can re-open for indoor services at 25% occupancy provided they are in full compliance with the Health Officer’s protocols. If your hair salon or barbershop has been operating outdoors, please continue to do so and use your 25% occupancy for those services you are not able to provide outdoors. 
    • On August 28, the State revised their recovery roadmap and created an updated, color-coded Tier Framework that classifies each county based on their daily case rate and positivity rate. This tiered system will guide possible sector reopenings for each county to consider. View the new Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Although the State lists permitted activities in each Tier, it is important to note that the County may be more restrictive than State guidance. The ultimate decisions about sector reopenings will remain under the purview of the local Health Officer Orders that are developed in consultation with the Board of Supervisors. 
    • Los Angeles County is currently in Tier 1 (Purple) - meaning that there continues to be widespread transmission of the virus in the county. The current number of new cases per day per 100,000 people is 13.1, nearly double the threshold for this tier which is less than 7 new cases per day per 100,000 population. And even though the County’s current test positivity rate of 5% puts us in Tier 2 (Red) for this metric, when the two metrics fall in different tiers the state places counties in the most restrictive tier. Therefore, the County, like most counties in California, has been placed in Tier 1.
    • On August 12, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a revised Health Officer Order to clarify when elementary schools may seek a waiver for in-person instruction for grades TK-6, update operations for childcare facilities to specify childcare be carried out in groups of 12 or fewer children, and align with new guidance for Institutes of Higher Education. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On July 18, to slow the spread of the COVID-19 and protect students, teachers and the school community, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new Health Officer Order that adheres to California Department of Public Health’s directive that schools in Los Angeles County and 31 other counties on the State’s monitoring list, cannot resume in-person learning next month. Read the Health Officer Order here. 
    • The state order allows superintendents to submit school district waiver requests to re-open elementary schools for approval by the local health officer only after review of local epidemiological data and intervention strategies, and in consultation with CDPH. In order for schools to re-open their campuses, Los Angeles County will have to remain off the monitoring list for 14 consecutive days. Counties are on the monitoring list because they have not achieved more than 150 tests per day per 100,000 people, or have more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents, or have case positivity rates greater than 8%, or have a 10% or more increase in hospitalizations over the past 3 days compared to the prior three days, or less than 20% of ICU beds are open, or less than 25% of ventilators are available.
    • On July 14, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health modified the Health Officer Order to align with Governor Gavin Newsom’s directives to prevent more cases, more serious illnesses, increased hospitalizations and more deaths. Read the Health Officer Order here. The Health Officer Order requires the closure of additional indoor operations for certain sectors which promote the mixing of populations beyond households and make adherence to physical distancing with face masks difficult:
      • Gyms and Fitness Centers
      • Places of Worship
      • Indoor Protests
      • Offices for Non-Critical Infrastructure Sectors as identified at covid19.ca.gov
      • Personal Care Services (including nail salons, massage parlors and tattoo parlors)
      • Hair Salons and Barbershops
      • Indoor Malls
    • On July 8, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new Health Officer Order: Access to Diagnostic Testing through Healthcare Facilities. Healthcare facilities must provide diagnostic testing to symptomatic persons regardless of age, hospitalization status, co-morbidities or other risk factors for COVID-19 and persons with or without symptoms who were a close contact of a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. The Health Officer Order is effective July 31. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On July 1, a revised Health Officer Order aligned with Governor Newsom’s directives and required the closure of the following for at least 21 days: indoor, in-person dining at restaurants, indoor museums, indoor children’s museums, and indoor operations at zoos and aquariums, and cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities. The Health Officer Order also requires businesses with three or more known cases of COVID-19 within the workplace over the span of 14 days, to report the outbreak to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Employers who have one known case within the workplace must have a protocol that requires that person to self-isolate at home and anyone exposed to self-quarantine. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On June 29, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released a Health Officer Order for the temporary closure of public beaches and prohibition of fireworks shows to prevent dangerous crowding over the Fourth of July weekend. Read the Health Officer Order here. All public beaches, piers, public beach parking lots, beach bike paths that traverse that sanded portion of the beach and beach access points will be temporarily closed to the public as of 12:01 a.m. on July 3 until 5 a.m. on July 6. Please note, surfing is not permitted.
    • •On June 28, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health amended the Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order in response to Governor Newsom's directive to require all bars, breweries, brew pubs, pubs, wineries and tasting rooms in the county to close unless they are offering sit-down dine-in meals. This includes closing bar areas in restaurants. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On June 18, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an updated Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order to allow the following sectors to reopen as early as June 19: Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks with no spectators, personal care services including: esthetician, skin care and cosmetology services; electrology; nail salons; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, microblading and permanent make-up; and piercing shops; and massage therapy, and bars, wineries, breweries and tasting rooms. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On June 11, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an updated Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order to allow music, film and television production, day camps, fitness facilities, museums, zoos, aquariums, professional sports without audiences, campgrounds, RV parks, outdoor recreation, and hotels for leisure travel to reopen. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On May 29, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an updated Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order to allow hair salons, barbershops and restaurants for in-person dining to reopen. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On May 26, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order which allows the following activities to resume or reopen: faith-based services with capacity limited to less than 25% or maximum of 100 people (whichever is lower), office worksites, all indoor and outdoor retail at 50% capacity, flea markets, swap meets and drive-in movie theaters, pools, hot tubs and saunas that are in a multi-unit resident or part of a homeowners association, and public protests with attendance limited to 25% occupancy or a maximum of 100 attendees (whichever is lower). Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On May 22, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an addendum to the Safer at Home Order to allow for the reopening of beach bike paths and parking lots, indoor mall curbside service and select vehicle parades. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On May 13, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an addendum to the Safer at Home Order to allow all retailers that are not located in an indoor mall or shopping center to reopen for pickup and delivery only. Manufacturing, warehouses and logistic businesses that supply retail can reopen. Beaches can reopen for active recreation in addition to select recreational facilities. Local jurisdictions may also close streets to allow for greater physical distancing. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On May 8, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an addendum to the Safer at Home Order to allow the following non-essential business to reopen for curbside pick-up with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols: bookstores, clothing stores, florists, music stores, sporting goods stores, toy stores and car dealership showrooms (open for sales with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols). The following outdoor parks and recreational facilities can reopen provided all activities adhere to distancing and infection control protocols: golf courses (not including pro-shops or dine-in restaurants), trails, trailheads and parks. Read the Health Officer Order here.​
    • On April 24, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new Health Officer Order to prevent COVID-19 transmission in licensed congregate health care facilities. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On April 10, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health extended the Safer at Home Order through May 15. The Health Officer Order continues to prohibit all indoor and outdoor public and private gatherings and events, and continues the closure of all indoor malls and shopping centers, all swap meets and flea markets, all indoor and outdoor playgrounds, beaches, trails and trailheads, and in-person operations of all non-essential businesses. Read the Health Officer Order here.
      • Also on April 10, it includes the following:
        • Essential businesses are required to provide face masks to all employees, to wear while performing duties which involve contact w/other employees and/or the public; 
        • Essential businesses are required to post their physical distancing plans; and
        • The public is required to wear a face mask to enter essential businesses
    • On March 27, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an addendum to the Safer at Home Order to include the temporary closure of public trails and trailheads, beaches, piers, beach bike paths and beach access points. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On March 25, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued two new Health Officer Orders: Home Isolation and Home Quarantine. The Isolation Order states that all individuals who have been diagnosed with or who are likely to have COVID-19 must isolate themselves in their home for a period of 7 days, and 3 days of being symptom-free. The Quarantine Order states that all household contacts, intimate partners, caregivers and close contacts who have been in close contact with a person diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19 while that person was symptomatic must quarantine themselves for 14 days.
    • On March 21, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued an enhanced Health Officer Order to reconcile elements in the March 19 Health Officer Order necessary to be consistent with the Governor’s Order. The enhanced Order prohibits all gatherings and events, and clarifies that golf courses and personal grooming services (including hair and nail salons) are non-essential services that are closed. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On March 19, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Safer at Home order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The Order further restricts and limits gatherings and requires the closure of malls, shopping centers, children's playgrounds and nonessential retail businesses. Essential businesses like grocery stores, gas stations, hospitals and pharmacies are open. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On March 16, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Health Officer Order to prohibit group events and gatherings, require social distancing measures and the closure of certain businesses, including bars, gyms, movie theaters and entertainment centers. Read the Health Officer Order here.
    • On March 9, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported it was investigating two additional cases of COVID-19. One case traveled through Japan. One case has an unidentified source of exposure, therefore LACDPH has determined this is the first possible case of community transmission in LA County.
    • On March 4, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Health declared a local and public health emergency in response to increased spread of coronavirus across the country and six additional cases in LA County. LACDPH stated that none of the new cases are from community spread, and all of these new cases were exposed to COVID-19 through close contacts. None of these cases were linked to the first case reported in LA County in January.
    • LA County officials recommend reviewing emergency supplies such as extra food, water and medications. For more emergency preparedness tips, visit ready.gov or bchd.org/emergency-preparedness.
    California
    • Los Angeles County Post Surge Response Plan

      The Los Angeles County Post Surge Response Plan, which aims to protect the most vulnerable residents, keep hospitals and the healthcare system functioning, prevent unconstrained spread and significant illness, and prepare for future challenges presented by the evolving conditions of the virus, uses several metrics to assess risk. These metrics are tied to associated community prevention strategies and early alert signals that trigger a review of contributing factors and potential changes to community and sector-specific prevention strategies.

      While the County welcomes the recovery from the dangerous Omicron variant surge, they recognize that post-surge does not imply that the pandemic is over or that there will not be additional unpredictable waves of surges that will require different monitoring metrics and approaches to meet changing mitigation needs. 

      Los Angeles County’s Early Alert Signals allow the County to quickly determine any concerning trends that can result in future higher rates of transmission and/or increased illness severity. 

      These signals include three community-wide measures: variants of concern (or VOCs), Emergency Department COVID-19 visits and cumulative crude case rate in high poverty communities. The signals also include four sector-specific measures, which are: new outbreaks at Skilled Nursing Facilities, new outbreaks at TK-12 schools, new outbreaks at settings with Persons Experiencing Homelessness and clusters at worksites.

      If there are alerts in two or more sectors, which reach the threshold for moderate or high concern, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will conduct an in-depth review of contributing factors and consider changes to community prevention strategies. Sector-specific alerts that reach the threshold for moderate or high concern will result in mitigation measures that are tailored to that setting.

    • State Vaccine Mandate for Schools
      Under a state order, K-12 school staff across the county are required to be vaccinated by October 15 or test weekly. Governor Newsom announced the state’s plan to require COVID-19 vaccination of all students and staff at private and public schools statewide as a condition of in-person attendance. The requirement will be effective for each student beginning the term following full FDA approval of the vaccine for their grade span, beginning with students in grades 7-12, followed by students in grades K- 6. Depending on the timing of approvals, this likely means the requirement will go into effect beginning either January 1 or July 1 of 2022.

    • On August 5, 2021, the California Department of Public Health issued a State Public Health Officer Order requiring everyone who works in a health care facility to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Workers must have received their final dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or the single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine by September 30, 2021. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement are permitted only for religious beliefs or qualifying medical conditions. Additional guidance from the Department is anticipated. The full Health Officer Order can be found here.

    • Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Guidelines
      Updated March 25, 2021 to reflect:
      • Beginning April 1, 2021, individuals age 50-64 years old will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
      • Beginning April 15, 2021, every Californian age 16 and older will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
      • COVID-19 vaccine clinic volunteers are eligible for vaccination if they complete at least one clinic shift and are approved by the clinic’s organizer.
      • Based on available supply, individuals described below are or will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines:
        • Phase 1A* (healthcare workers and LTC residents): 3,142,166 Californians
        • Phase 1B
          • Food/Agriculture***, Education/Childcare**, and Emergency Services***:  5,960,528 Californians
          • 65+: 6,254,300 Californians
        • Individuals age 16-64 who are deemed to be at the very highest risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 as a direct result of one or more of the severe health conditions included in this provider bulletin.
        • Beginning April 1, 2021, individuals age 50-64 years old will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
        • Beginning April 15, 2021, every Californian age 16 and older will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines.
        • COVID-19 vaccine clinic volunteers are eligible for vaccination if they complete at least one clinic shift and are approved by the clinic’s organizer.
          Learn More
    • Blueprint Tier Framework Thresholds Upon Meeting Statewide Vaccine Equity Metric Goals


      Click here to view image larger.

      On March 5, the State announced updates to their Blueprint for a Safer Economy. In addition to assessing County case rates, positivity rates and positivity rates in neighborhoods with the lowest scores in the Healthy Places Index, the State is now taking into consideration the number of vaccinations that have been administered in the lowest resourced neighborhoods statewide. Unlike the other 3 metrics, vaccination numbers will be calculated statewide and used to change the case rate thresholds for counties to move from one tier to another.

      Goal #1: Once 2 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state to the communities with the lowest score in the Healthy Places Index, the threshold to move from the purple tier to the red tier will go from 7 new cases per 100,000 people to 10 new cases per 100,000 people. To move to the orange tier, the threshold will remain at 4 cases per 100,000 people, and to move to the yellow tier, the threshold will remain at 1.

      Goal #2: Once 4 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state to the communities with the lowest score in the Healthy Places Index, the threshold to move from the purple tier to the red tier will remain at 10 per 100,000 people, but the threshold will change for moving to the orange tier, from 4 new cases per 100,0000 residents to 6 cases per 100,000 people, and to move to the yellow tier, the threshold will change from 1 new case per 100,000 residents to 2 cases per 100,000 people.

    • On January 25, the California Department of Public Health ended the Regional Stay Home Order across California. This action comes as the four-week ICU capacity projections are above 15%. Counties will return to their assigned Blueprint for a Safer Economy tiers. LA County is in the purple or widespread tier, the most restrictive tier.
    • On January 6, 2021, California updated the Travel Advisory:

      Except in connection with essential travel, Californians should avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California.

      All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries, should self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or to otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this recommendation does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders for essential travel.

    • On December 5, the California Department of Public Health announced data on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity across the state. Two regions, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, have dropped below 15% capacity. ICU capacity in the 11 counties of the Southern California Region dropped to 12.5%. The Regional Stay at Home Order will take effect in those two regions at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 6, and will remain in effect for at least three weeks. Regions will be eligible to exit from the order and return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on December 28 if ICU capacity projections for the following month are above or equal to 15%.
      Under the terms of the order, when ICU capacity drops below 15% in a region, a list of sectors must close by 11:59 p.m. the next day, including bars, breweries, distilleries, and wineries (except for production, manufacturing, and retail), hair salons and barbershops, and personal care services. In addition, a number of sectors in these regions, including restaurants, retail and shopping centers and hotels and lodging, will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing. Critical infrastructure, schools and non-urgent medical and dental care can remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures.
    • California’s Regional Stay at Home Order: On December 3, California health officials announced the Regional Stay at Home Order that will be triggered if Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity drops below 15% in a given region. The order would prohibit private gatherings of any size, close sector operations except for critical infrastructure and retail and require 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. 
      The order takes effect at 12:59 p.m. on December 5. Thereafter, if a region falls below the 15% ICU threshold, it will have 24 hours to implement the Stay at Home Order. The order would remain in effect for at least 3 weeks and, after that period, will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. 
      State health officials are tracking the state by five regions: Northern California, Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. No regions currently meet this threshold, but some are projected to within the next week. The Southern California region includes the following counties: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura. Actual ICU capacity remaining as of December 3, 2020 for the Southern California region is 20.6%. 
      Read more here. 
    • On November 19, the State issued a Limited Stay at Home order, effective in counties under Tier One (Purple) of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, requiring that all gatherings with members of other households and all activities conducted outside the residence, lodging, or temporary accommodation with members of other households cease between 10 p.m. PST and 5 a.m. PST, except for those activities associated with the operation, maintenance, or usage of critical infrastructure or required by law. This order shall take effect on November 21, 2020, at 10 p.m. PST and remains in effect until 5 a.m. PST on December 21, 2020. Read the full order here. 
    • California Issues Travel Advisory: The state issued a travel advisory on Friday, November 13, in advance of the holiday season. As COVID-19 transmission is increasing in many states and countries, those arriving, or returning to California, from other states or countries should self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. During this time, people should limit their interactions to their immediate household. All Californians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. Read the travel advisory here.
    • On August 28, the State revised their recovery roadmap and created an updated, color-coded Tier Framework that classifies each county based on their daily case rate and positivity rate. This tiered system will guide possible sector reopenings for each county to consider. View the new Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Although the State lists permitted activities in each Tier, it is important to note that the County may be more restrictive than State guidance. The ultimate decisions about sector reopenings will remain under the purview of the local Health Officer Orders that are developed in consultation with the Board of Supervisors.
    • Los Angeles County is currently in Tier 1 (Purple) - meaning that there continues to be widespread transmission of the virus in the county. The current number of new cases per day per 100,000 people is 13.1, nearly double the threshold for this tier which is less than 7 new cases per day per 100,000 population. And even though the County’s current test positivity rate of 5% puts us in Tier 2 (Red) for this metric, when the two metrics fall in different tiers the state places counties in the most restrictive tier. Therefore, the County, like most counties in California, has been placed in Tier 1.
    • Starting June 18, Governor Gavin Newsom is requiring Californians to wear face masks in public. View the full guidance. 
    • On May 4, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California will be prepared to move into the early phase of Stage 2 of reopening on Friday, May 8 based on the state’s progress in meeting metrics tied to indicators. Stage 2 allows gradual reopening of lower-risk workplaces with adaptations including bookstores, clothing stores, florists and sporting goods stores, with modifications. Other Stage 2 sectors such as offices, dine-in restaurants and shopping malls will be part of a later Stage 2 opening. View the State Reopening Roadmap Report Card here.
    • On April 14, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined six critical indicators the state will consider before modifying the Stay at Home Order. Learn more about the six indicators here.
    • On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a Stay at Home Order for the state of California: All individuals living in the State of California are to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction. More information here.
    • On March 15, Governor Gavin Newsom directed closure of California's bars, brewpubs, wineries and nightclubs, and called on people over 65 and others at higher risk of serious complications from exposure to the virus to stay at home.
    • On March 11, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California public health officials this evening issued an updated policy on gatherings to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. The state’s public health experts have determined that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines. Read more here.
    United States
    • Federal Health Officials Plan for Booster Shot This Fall

      Federal health officials have developed a plan to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots this fall, pending final FDA evaluation of third doses of the Moderna mRNA vaccine and formal recommendations from CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The Pfizer mRNA vaccine is already approved and being offered as a third dose in LA county to qualifying groups. 

      Highlights of the plan:

      • They are prepared to offer booster shots for all Americans beginning the week of September 20 and starting 8 months after an individual’s second dose.
      • At that time, the individuals who were fully vaccinated earliest in the vaccination rollout, including many health care providers, nursing home residents, and other seniors, will likely be eligible for a booster.
      • They would also begin efforts to deliver booster shots directly to residents of long-term care facilities at that time, given the distribution of vaccines to this population early in the vaccine rollout and the continued increased risk that COVID-19 poses to them.
      • They also anticipate booster shots will likely be needed for people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Administration of this vaccine did not begin in the United States until March 2021, and they expect more data on it in the next few weeks.
        Read the joint statement here.
    • On August 13, 2021:CDC now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses. Widespread vaccination is a critical tool to help stop the pandemic. Read CDC’s statement.

      • People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because they are more at risk of serious, prolonged illness.
      • People who have compromised immune systems may benefit from an additional dose to make sure they have enough protection against COVID-19.
      • CDC recommends people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.
      • CDC recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccineCDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.
    • On August 12, 202: FDA Authorized Additional Vaccine Dose for Certain Immunocompromised Individuals. Read the press release.
    • On July 27, the CDC updated its masking guidance in response to new science related to the Delta variant. In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in public, indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant and protect others. The agency is also recommending that everyone in grade schools wear masks indoors, including teachers, staff, students and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
    • On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance indicating that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely resume activities that were done prior to the pandemic.
      • Updates as of May 13:
        • Update that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance
        • Update that fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter
      • L.A. County and the state will review the CDC recommendations in order to make sensible adjustments. In the interim, please note that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask when indoors around other fully vaccinated people, or outside in uncrowded areas. When at businesses and in crowded venues, both indoors and outdoors, masks are still required to be worn by everyone.
      • It remains important to protect workers at all worksites and all worksites must follow the requirements set forth by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Cal/OSHA. Everyone must continue to adhere to required distancing and masking at all workplaces. Until Cal/OSHA changes these requirements, the County cannot be less restrictive. Proposed changes to Cal/OSHA’s workplace safety standards were posted for consideration at the May 20 standards board meeting.
    • On April 2, the CDC updated their guidance related to travel for those who are fully vaccinated
      • Domestic Travel: 
        • Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.
        • People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States:
          • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get tested before or after travel unless their destination requires it
          • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need to self-quarantine
        • Fully vaccinated travelers should still follow CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely including:
          • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
          • Stay 6 feet from others and avoid crowds
          • Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer
      • International Travel: 
        • Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19. However, international travel poses additional risks and even fully vaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading new COVID-19 variants.
        • CDC recommends delaying international travel until you are fully vaccinated.
        • If you are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine:
          • You should continue to follow CDC’s recommendations for traveling safely and get tested 3-5 days after travel.
          • You do NOT need to get tested before leaving United States unless your destination requires it.
          • You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.
    • After You’ve Been Fully Vaccinated:
      • On March 8, the CDC released guidance for those who are fully vaccinated. People are considered fully vaccinated:
        • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or
        • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, like Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine
        • If it has been less than 2 weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second dose, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are fully vaccinated.
      • What’s Changed
        • If you’ve been fully vaccinated:
          • You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
          • You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
          • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
            • However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.
      • What Hasn’t Changed
        • For now, if you’ve been fully vaccinated:
          • You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Take these precautions whenever you are:
            • In public
            • Gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household
            • Visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk
            • You should still avoid medium or large-sized gatherings.
          • You should still delay domestic and international travel. If you do travel, you’ll still need to follow CDC requirements and recommendationsLos Angeles County’s Travel Advisory remains in effect.
          • You should still watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others.
          • You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace.
      • Learn more here.
    • On March 16, the White House released Coronavirus Guidelines for America:
      • If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work or school.
      • If someone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, keep the entire household home. Do not go to work or school. Contact your medical provider.
      • If you are an older adult or person with a serious underlying health condition, stay home and away from other people
      • Work or engage in schooling FROM HOME whenever possible
      • If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
      • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people
      • Avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts - use drive-thru, pick up or delivery options
      • Avoid nonessential travel and activities
      • Do not visit nursing homes, retirement or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance
      • Continue to practice good hygiene
    • On January 31, the Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency to aid the healthcare community in responding to the coronavirus.
    • The first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread was reported in the U.S. on January 30, 2020.