The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) modified masking requirements Wednesday, calling upon employers to provide medical grade masks to all indoor employees beginning mid January.
As cases continue to rise as a result of “highly transmissible” Omicron variant circulation, Public Health modified their Health Officer Order Wednesday to include higher grade masks for employees “knowing that vaccinations alone are not sufficient to prevent spread of Omicron,” according to the order.
“As soon as possible, but no later than January 17th, employers are required to provide their employees who work indoors in close contact with others with well-fitting medical grade masks, surgical masks, or higher-level respirators, such as N95 or KN95 masks,” read a statement from Public Health. “These upgraded masks are better at blocking virus particles from going through the mask.”
In addition, attendance thresholds at outdoor mega events have been lowered to 5,000 attendees, while indoor mega event attendance thresholds have been lowered to 500 attendees, aligning with the modified California Health Officer Order.
Audience members are encouraged to eat and drink only in designated dining areas provided by the venue, according to Public Health officials.
“Given the explosive spread of the virus, activities that put us in close contact with many other people now have an increased risk,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health. “At work, this means upgrading your mask if you work indoors and you are in contact with other workers or members of the public. At entertainment venues, this means limiting the time you spend without wearing your upgraded mask.”
See Related: Where To Get COVID-19 Tested Amid Highest Coronavirus Spike In Santa Clarita History
As of Wednesday, January 5, 46,380 cumulative cases have been reported in the Santa Clarita Valley since March of 2020, according to Public Health. These cases include:
- 35,552 in the City of Santa Clarita* (+753)
- 99 in the unincorporated areas of Bouquet Canyon (+0)
- 1,590 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country (+34)
- 5,273 in Castaic* (+72)
- 72 in the unincorporated areas of Newhall (+0)
- 7 in Placerita Canyon (+0)
- 27 in San Francisquito/Bouquet Canyon (+0)
- 28 in unincorporated Sand Canyon (+1)
- 213 in the unincorporated areas of Saugus (+4)
- 61 in the unincorporated areas of Saugus/Canyon Country (+2)
- 2,501 in Stevenson Ranch (+58)
- 537 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde (+6)
- 420 in the unincorporated areas of Valencia (+6)
Public Health confirmed 27 additional deaths and 26,754 new cases of COVID-19 across L.A. County, according to Public Health officials.
Of the 27 new deaths reported today, one person was between the ages of 18 and 29, three were between the ages of 30 and 49, six were between the ages of 50-64, seven were between the ages of 65-79, and six were over the age of 80 years old, according to Public Health data.
Of the 27 newly reported deaths, 18 had underlying conditions, according to Public Health data.
Testing results are available for more than 10,159,295 individuals, with 16 percent of people testing positive throughout the pandemic and 22.4 percent of people testing positive Wednesday, according to officials.
Public Health encourages everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. Anyone 5-years-old and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated against COVID-19. Many vaccination sites across the county, including all the County-run sites, are also offering third doses of vaccine to eligible immunocompromised people.
Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. To learn how to make a vaccine appointment, what verifications you will need to show at your vaccination appointment, and much more, visit the L.A. County Vaccination website (English) or Vacunate Los Angeles website (Spanish).
A wide range of data and dashboards on COVID-19 from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are available on the Public Health website:
See All Coronavirus Coverage: Coronavirus Coverage – COVID-19 Map
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