While the indoor mask mandate is coming to an end, students and school staff will still be required to wear their masks inside classrooms at least for now. April 21, 2023. For the PDF English version, click here. Chinsio-Kwong, the countys deputy health officer, said that its important that masks are worn at schools, noting that kids 5-11 years old are the least vaccinated group eligible for a shot.As of January 31, for ages five to 11, only 33% of that population received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, she said during last Wednesdays news briefing. "We've always followed the state guidelines and mandates," Arballo said. For those at the highest risk, there antiviral treatments available to prevent serious illness.". If fever is present, you should continue to isolate until 24 hours after fever resolves. Still, that mandate comes with a flip-side: School districts in California must offer students who refuse to wear a mask the opportunity to do an independent study program. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The county had 20.1% of its ICU beds available and 59.5% of its ventilators as of Monday. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Effective immediately: Physical distancing will be reduced from 6-feet to 3-feet in all settings, Fully vaccinated individuals should follow all updated guidelines for facial coverings that were announced by the CDC on Tuesday. In a teleconference Wednesday with reporters, Dr. Mark Ghaly, California's health and human services secretary, said the mask mandate was being extended through at least Feb. 15. Republican Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, who ran against Newsom for governor during a an unsuccessful recall election earlier this year, has routinely tried and failed to get the Democratic-dominated Legislature to end the states emergency declaration. Unfortunately, I dont know that people really see that direct correlation, she said. OC Health Care Agency Updates: State updates - Orange County Breeze [Read: Mask Mandate Returns to Orange County Wednesday]. The vast majority of admissions are unvaccinated. The hybrid schooling model, which last year had students many students around Orange County working partly from home, is not the same as being in the classroom and working collaboratively, Gallegos said. Some counties in state refuse to enforce new mask mandate in New York The mask mandate in Cumberland County ended Sunday night. We have safe, effective vaccines and boosters, and now we have treatments. The new statewide masking measure brings an added layer of protection against the fast-spreading Delta and Omicron variants of coronavirus. After COVID-19 cases continued to spike in Florida and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings recommended that indoor mask mandates return, Disney complied. Mask wearing is not required outdoors, Chau says. Gov. California has reported an average of 54,695 new cases per day over the last week, the highest rolling total in the nearly two-year pandemic, according to data compiled by The Los Angeles Times. At that time, we will again reevaluate across California our communitys health care delivery to make sure that we are taking the latest information to determine if there there would be another extension or if were prepared to lift that requirement, Ghaly said. Over the past week, Orange County has averaged 4,512 new cases and 1.4 new deaths per day, according to The Times tracker. She earned her journalism degree from Cal State Long Beach. The first mask mandate in OC went into effect in 2020 issued by former county health officer Nichole Quick which faced immediate backlash, with people protesting outside her house and Quick even receiving a death threat. If symptoms, other than fever, are not improving, you should continue to isolate through Day 10 or until symptoms are improving. Among the changes announced by the California Department of Public Health is the end of statewide mask requirements in healthcare and other indoor high-risk settings including correctional. We're all in this together.". California lifted its statewide mask mandate on June 15 for people who were vaccinated, a date Newsom heralded as the states grand reopening. Driver rescued after car plunges more than 500 feet off NorCal cliff, Authorities continue search for Texas man suspected of killing 5, Lakers, LeBron James to play Warriors, Steph Curry in NBA showdown. Quick ended up resigning in June 2020 and county Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau walked back the mandate. Some parents have even threatened to sue teachers over mask enforcement. Do I need the new COVID-19 booster? Orange County Announces Plan to Lift Indoor Mask Mandate Cases began rising over the holiday season and all ZIP Codes across the county have high case rates, mirroring a national trend. You can check the county's status on the CDC's site here. The county reported 28 more COVID-19-related deaths since Friday, with 24 of them occurring in January. For translation, please click on the black "Translate" button on the top right to translate the same order displayed below. Starting April 3, masks will no longer be required in indoor high-risk and health care settings. Schubert said educators focus a great deal of attention on students social emotional development, but that has seemed to go by the wayside when it comes to face masks. lawmakers champion bills raising penalties for fentanyl dealers and accountability from online platforms, Mallard, shot in neck and cheek, gets second chance at life, Boats set sail from Balboa Pier to Ensenada for 75th annual race. Law enforcement is there to help with enforcement, but again, its a very complex situation, she said at last Wednesdays news briefing. "Hopefully, it doesn't get much worse than this and it is fairly mild.". But Noymer pointed to the number of deaths so far in July and said, "That's a lot of deaths for a respiratory virus in the summertime.''. Here's what the end of COVID -19 emergency means in San Francisco. This article originally appeared on the Orange County Patch, Search for self managed wealth investment accounts, are exempt from wearing masks at all times. The board had filed the petition only eight days before the court ruled, according to the Voice of OC. The newest New York state mandate took effect Monday, with masks required in all indoor public places unless the businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. School district officials say one thing is certain they dont have the legal authority to unilaterally opt out of the mask mandate. Gavin Newsom's mask mandate goes back into play, Orange County's COVID-19 hospitalizations remained relatively stable. That doesnt mean we arent concerned, and we continue to strongly recommend that people mask when attending indoor gatherings, as we know they are a very effective means to prevent the spread," said Dr. Matt Zahn, M.D., Deputy Health Director, Medical Director of Communicable Disease Control Division. According to OC Health Care Dr. Clayton Chau, the indoor masking requirement will go into effect beginning December 15, 2021, and the State will make further recommendations after January 15. But later in the day, the agency issued a second statement that kept the mandate in place and gave individual districts leeway on how to enforce it but removed the words must exclude from its guideline. "It's fair to say we're all seeing this increase in cases. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer). [Read: Orange County Mixed on Enforcing Gov. Other parents are frustrated by the mandate, saying they believe masks pose a risk to their childs mental health and their ability to learn. (714) 966-4617. The move comes as the omicron-fueled winter surge rapidly. Noymer emphasized even with masks dropping, people can and should wear masks. While the CDPH plans to rescind the listed vaccination requirement orders on April 3, 2023, everyone is strongly advised to receive COVID-19 vaccines as per the most current CDC guidance. Roxana Kopetman is a staff writer at The Orange County Register. Los Alamitos Unified School District trustees have also enforced the state mask mandate at their meeting and ended up meeting in an alternate room in January when people at their meeting refused to comply with the requirement. More than 8,000 COVID-19 cases leading to more than 1,500 deaths have occurred in Orange County skilled nursing facility residents. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. School district officials, including Pulver, say the California Department of Health confused parents on July 13, when it issued two statements about masks at school. Health & Fitness CA Mask Mandate Ending Soon In Laguna Beach, Orange County After a masked-up start to the new year, vaccinated Laguna Beach residents will no longer have to wear masks come Feb. 15. A list of conditions that increase peoples risk for severe COVID-19 disease can be found here: PerCDPH masking guidance, infected persons should wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings. And at least three county school districts Capistrano, Placentia-Yorba Linda and Saddleback Valley have formally asked state health officials to kill the mandate and make face masks optional on campus. With COVID cases rising, will California resume mask rules? - Los Jared Polis of Colorado who told Colorado Public Radio last week that The emergency is over and public health (officials) dont get to tell people what to wear.. Officials in a couple of states including Oregon have announced plans to get rid of their own school mask mandates. The responsibility of enforcing the mandate was up to businesses and the community, Chinsio-Kwong said. If you test positive for COVID, you only have to isolate for five days, not ten, as long as you don't have a fever and your symptoms are improving. Its not like we have another choice., Life is full of chances. Mask Mandate to be amended March 7th, 2022 to No Longer Require Masks in Public, Indoor Spaces Orange County leaders say decision is contingent on COVID-19 Community Levels. San Bernardino and Riverside counties are currently in the "medium" category. They will also be required to be worn at homeless shelters, prisons, senior care facilities, health care settings and schools, Chinsio-Kwong said during last weeks press conference. Also, ifyou are only partially vaccinated, or not at all, masks are recommended for all situations where you are around others. Credit: ITM. The county has 22% of its ICU beds available and 69% of its ventilators. The California Health and Safety Code section 120130 (d) authorizes the County of Orange Health Officer to require strict or modified isolation, or quarantine, for any case of contagious, infectious, or communicable disease, when such action is necessary for the protection of the public health. The masks were given out during ceremonies at Bradford Stadium in Placentia, California on Thursday, June 17, 2021. On one side are parents who welcome the safety of masks, especially with COVID-19 spiking again in Southern California and around the country. Right now, health officials said anyone who feels safer wearing a mask should continue to do so especially in public places and indoors, and they encourage folks to get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster if eligible. It's a move residents in some neighboring counties should not expect to see. Newsoms Curfew and Mask Orders]. "In Orange County, we are not moving toward mandates at this point," Zahn said. The new policy was decided at a school board meeting on Tuesday and will go into effect. Schools this year wont offer hybrid instruction, combining at-home and online learning. They need to have that choice to unmask and every family should be able to make medical decisions themselves, said Let Them Breathe founder Sharon McKeeman. But that surge was before vaccines were available. California orders statewide mask requirement starting Wednesday amid rising coronavirus cases Shoppers wearing face masks wait in line to enter a store at the Citadel Outlets in Commerce on. Per the California Department of Public Health, everyone is required to wear masks in: Masks are required for unvaccinated people and recommended for everyone in places of worship. But in a teleconference Wednesday with reporters, Dr. Mark Ghaly, the states health and human services secretary, said it was being extended through at least Feb. 15. STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS AND ORDERS On February 26, 2020, the County of Orange Health Officer and the Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors declared a Local Health Emergency and Local Emergency, respectively, based on an imminent and proximate threat to public health from the introduction of COVID-19 in Orange County. The mask debate isnt unique to California. Orange County (no mask mandate) had a peak per capita case rate of 24.7, while Los Angeles County (mask mandate) had a peak rate of 32.1. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece. The Guidance will be updated on April 3, 2023, utilizing personal risk, local COVID-19 transmission, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Community levels to guide the use of face masks. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong), Graduates line up six feet apart with face masks on as the Dana Hills high school holds a walk through procession where 600 students remain in their vehicles, then get to walk across a formal graduation stage Friday, July 24, 2020 in Dana Point during the Covid-19 pandemic. The county's deputy health officer added that testing of wastewater indicates the newer, more contagious Omicron variant was likely circulating in California prior to Thanksgiving. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Orange County Public Schools will mandate masks for students for 60 days. Orange County residents who are vaccinated can take off their masks in some indoor settings when the two-month statewide, universal indoor mask mandate ends tomorrow. But what is most important is what they learn and see on the playground.. Los Alamitos Unified, for example, will contract with the Orange County Department of Education to offer independent studies to students who wish to remain online. Here's What We Know So Far, Teen Accused of Killing Woman With Rock Took Photo as Memento', Prosecutors Say. January 2021 remains the deadliest month of the pandemic with a death toll of 1,594, ahead of December 2020, the next deadliest at 985. Eighteen percent of all COVID-19 county resident deaths have occurred in SNF residents. SAN FRANCISCO -- California's COVID masking rules are changing according to new information from the state's department of public health. Visitors wearing masks at Newport Beach Pier on Thursday. Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Mayor Demings says he believes these . The only way is to stick with masks, stick with science, and with sensible cautionary protocols, like hand washing and social distancing., Anaheim Hills resident Claudia Gallegos, a mom to five children, including two at Placentia-Yorba Linda schools, said shes disappointed some school districts are caving to the pressure of some parents.. Currently, the OC Fair website recommends masks indoors. Gov. I do still believe that people should be masking, but I think at the moment it is going to have to be on a voluntary basis because even with the so-called rules, theres not going to be total compliance nor very much enforcement, he said. "There's a bump we're seeing, and a corresponding bump in hospitalizations," since Thanksgiving, Kim said. The county has logged 199 new coronavirus cases, raising the cumulative count to 317,752 since the pandemic began. Even with the mandate coming to an end, masking indoors will still be a requirement for people who are unvaccinated and for everyone, including vaccinated individuals, in certain settings like public transportation as well as airports, train and bus stations. Data is starting to show that the vaccine is fairly protective against the latest variant.. Please help us spread the word, she said. "We have such an overlap in terms of our populations from Los Angeles County and us and other surrounding counties," Zahn said. The California Health and Safety Code sections 101030 and 101470 require the County Health Officer to enforce and observe in the unincorporated territory of the county and within the city boundaries located within a county all of the following: (a) Orders and ordinances of the Board of Supervisors, pertaining to the public health and sanitary matters; (b) Orders, including quarantine and other regulations, prescribed by the department; and (c) Statutes relating to public health. As of Sunday, 6,308 people have been killed by the virus, according to the OC Health Care Agency. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. MEDICAL DIRECTOR CDCD, 405 W. 5TH STREET, 7TH FLOOR City News Service contributed to this report. 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She also said case rates are still high and so is transmission of the virus in OC. They issued the guidance, and they suddenly put the enforcement on the backs of local school boards, with really no information on what that means.. SANTA ANA, CA 92701 The death toll for October stands at 125, 195 for September and 180 for August.In contrast, the death toll before the more contagious Delta variant-fueled summer surge was 31 in July, 19 for June, 26 for May, 46 for April, 200 for March and 617 for February. "At a minimum, we may see the same rise of hospitalizations we saw in August or September, which peaked at 592 patients Aug. 26. Adult and Senior Care and Direct Care Workers, Corrections and Detention Centers Health Care Workers. Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC Reporting Fellow. The newly logged fatalities increase the overall death toll to 5,829. The COVID-19 federal public health emergencya separate declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services from January 2020remains in effect for now. In addition to updated mask guidance, the State issued a new order requiring certain high-risk health care facilities, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, high-risk congregate settings and other health care settings, to verify vaccine status of all workers. Theres a potential we may see higher hospitalizations than youve seen in the fall and unfortunately, they may actually get to a level close to last winter, she said. We want our children to be healthy. California to lift mask mandate in indoor public places - Los Angeles Times While fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to mask indoors, we still recommend that you continue to wear a mask indoors, regardless of your vaccination status, especially those who are at high risk or living with loved ones who have comorbidities or who are immunocompromised or prone to getting sick, she said. Orange County already hit. "Whenever we've seen an increase like this in the past during the pandemic there usually was an increase in ICU cases and also deaths. August 19, 2021. Orange County Coronavirus Update: Mask-Up Indoors Until After NYE But how well OC dealt with the mask mandate is unclear with county public health officials largely taking a hands off approach to enforcement. And the tool we have at our disposal, besides vaccinations which are not available for younger kids, is masks, he said. These parents argue that the driver of the new surge, the Delta variant, is more transmissible than previous versions of the sometimes fatal disease and the masks-for-all rule helps protect kids and figures to slow community spread. While hospitalizations and case rates decline, Orange County's January death toll eclipsed the worst months of last summer's surge, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. Mask mandate affects Orange County, Inland Empire, San Diego - Los Orange County will lift its indoor mask mandate. Here's when it will Chief of Public Health Services The incoming third-grader with the heart condition was allowed to forego the mask last spring, but school officials insisted he wear a face shield, Schubert said. Orange County already hit the "high" level July 15. That same month, Newsom issued his own mask mandate. Chinsio-Kwong urged folks to go to local coronavirus testing sites instead of visiting emergency rooms and hospitals to avoid inundating staff so health care workers can help others in urgent situations. The Orders and Strong Recommendations issued on September 23, 2022, are no longer in effect as of March 24, 2023. He wants residents to be cautious and if you arearound someone you don't know, assume they are not vaccinated. Your symptoms are not present, or mild and improving. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG), Jalopy Eirasqiom, left, allows Jacqueline Gabriel, right, to adjust his cap before the Valencia High School graduation ceremonies which occurred at Bradford Stadium in Placentia, California on Thursday, June 17, 2021. The Orders contained in this document may be enforced by the Orange County Sheriff or Chiefs of Police pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 101029, and California Government Code sections 26602 and 41601. For now, it looks like kids who show up without masks wont be allowed to sit in classes with kids who are wearing them. Like This Free Civic News? Chinsio-Kwong said data shows unvaccinated people are the ones getting sick and young adults between 19 to 44 are having the highest case rates. At that time, the state will also increase the attendance thresholds for . Orange County Public Schools make masks optional for adults starting To help prevent the spread of droplets containing COVID-19, all county residents and visitors should refer to the CDPHs Guidance for the Use of Face Masks. Yes, its a little uncomfortable to wear the masks for several hours a day. Health officials in the Bay Area have not outlined criteria to reestablish a mask mandate. Staff, residents, or patients in high-risk settings including: Homeless shelters, Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers, State and local correctional facilities and detention centers, All county residents should follow the CDC recommendations that are appropriate for their age and circumstances. If you have severe symptoms or are at high risk of serious disease or have questions concerning care, you should contact a health care provider for available treatments. Five of the fatalities logged Monday occurred in November, raising that month's death toll to 85. All rights reserved. But since then, county governments covering about half of the states population have imposed their own indoor mask mandates as case rates surged with new variants. Local health officials get concerned . Back in December, state public health officials announced a one month reinstatement of an indoor mask requirement amid concerns over an Omicron winter surge. On July 22, two groups, Let Them Breathe and Reopen California Schools, filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn Californias school mask mandate. The CDC says it's safe to be outdoors or indoors in small gatherings without a mask as long as others are fully vaccinated. Furthermore, Placer (no mandate) had a peak rate of 48.7 . California's Mask Mandate Ends. Did Orange County Ever Follow It? But we are also requiring masks for all individuals, during all times, at all indoor activities in schools. CDC Updates Mask Mandates For Orange County, Will Disney Comply? Last month, the school boards president Carrie Buck unilaterally adjourned their January meeting twice within minutes after people at the meeting refused to comply with mask mandates. Orange County has also seen an uptick in new cases and hospitalizations, according to the county's weekly update, released on Tuesday. In light of the recent COVID-19 related guidance and orders by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the State Public Health Officer, the following Orders and Strong Recommendations shall revise and replace the prior Orders and Strong Recommendations of the County Health Officer that were issued on September 23, 2022. As Orange County moves to "high" COVID-19 community transmission, the county's deputy health officer says the region isn't moving toward reinstating an indoor mask mandate. The governor can do this because California is still operating under an emergency declaration Newsom issued at the beginning of the pandemic. Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication. She also said its going to be difficult to enforce an indoor mask mandate for unvaccinated people with the new change. That's the instruction we've been given.". But Durham and Orange counties, at least for now, plan to keep the indoor mask. Gov. The move comes as the omicron-fueled winter surge rapidly recedes across the state. Refer to the. ORANGE COUNTY, CA One day before California Gov. Thursday. "Right now we're certainly seeing a surge in cases," said Dr. Matt Zahn, deputy health officer for the Orange County Healthcare Agency. We hope that those are few and far between, that most people see the purpose of doing this over the next month as something to protect them and their communities during a very tough time..