Los Angeles County to reinstate mask mandate amid rise in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations
The order will require masking indoors regardless of vaccination status, Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a news conference Thursday.
"We share our deepest condolences with those of you who have lost friends, loved ones, and family during this difficult time," Davis said in a news release from county health officials. "We expect to keep masking requirements in place until we begin to see improvements in our community transmission of COVID-19. But waiting for us to be at high community transmission level before making a change would be too late."
According to the news release, there were 210 new coronavirus cases reported June 15. On Thursday, more than 1,500 were reported, the highest total of new cases since mid-March, officials said.
The daily test positivity rate in Los Angeles County has risen to 3.7%, from around 0.5% on June 15, the news release said.
