LA County Surpasses 30,000 COVID-19 Deaths; Hospitalizations Remain Below 2,500 for the Seventh Consecutive Day

As Los Angeles County surpassed the grim milestone of losing more than 30,000 residents to COVID-19, Public Health Feb. 16, reported an additional 102 additional daily deaths.  

While case and hospitalization numbers have declined, sadly, many residents continue to lose their lives to this dangerous virus.  

With hospitalizations under 2,500 for seven consecutive days, Public Health issued a modified LA County Health Officer Order Feb. 16, recommending, but no longer requiring, masking at outdoor mega events and outdoor spaces at K-12 schools and childcare centers. For the week ending Feb.13, the seven-day average of daily COVID hospital admissions decreased by 87 admissions from the prior week to 242 admissions this week, translating into a 26% decline in County hospital admissions. While the number of daily hospital admissions has continued to decrease, the number of hospitalized COVID patients in the ICU (21%) and those requiring ventilation (13%) has remained fairly stable compared to the previous week. Total hospital census for LA County hospitals also decreased to 13,971 as of Feb. 14, crossing below the 14,000 mark for the first time since Jan. 3.

While masking will no longer be required at outdoor Mega Events or in outdoor spaces at childcare facilities and K-12 schools, the masking requirement at indoor establishments will continue until:

• LA County has seven consecutive days at or below moderate transmission (10-49.99 new cases/100,000 persons in the past seven days), AND
• There are no emerging reports of significantly circulating new variants of concern that threaten vaccine effectiveness.

Per state regulations, indoor masking at K-12 schools, childcare facilities, youth settings, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless and emergency shelters, and cooling centers is still required. The state will provide an updated assessment on Feb. 28 on appropriate safety considerations for schools.

Additionally, per federal regulations, masking when riding public transit and in transportation hubs is still required.

Employers must also continue to provide high quality and well-fitting masks to workers who are in close contact with others until transmission is lower. Vaccination verification will also continue at mega events and indoor sections of bars, lounges, nightclubs, wineries, breweries, and distilleries.

Details: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov