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VOL. 5, NO. 34
Compliance with Masking Critical to Prevent Delta Spread, LA County Staff Writer editorial@beaconmedianews.com
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Concerned parents throughout California insist on weekly testing | Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
LA Co. Health Director: COVID-19 school transmission rates ‘somewhat sobering’ Terry MILLER tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
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s schools around Los Angeles County reopen and many launch massive coronavirus testing efforts, health officials are reporting increased coronavirus spread among unvaccinated children and more outbreaks tied to school sports.
“Somewhat sobering,” was how LA County Health Director Barbara Ferrer described the early data from local schools Ferrer said the county recorded 3,186 new cases in schools last week when she made her assessment. That total includes LAUSD and other campuses. About 2,500 of those infections were instances of one case
only. About 3,500 students who were in close contact with those infected were quarantined. At its regular meeting on August 26, 2021, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education took decisive action to bolster safety measures that protect students and employees from COVID-19. The Board
of Education voted unanimously to: • ratify an existing testing plan that places mobile testing teams at schools for students and employee testing and now requires • all students under age 12 to get weekly See School transmission page 2
s the highly transmissible Delta variant spreads, compliance with masking requirements at businesses is critical to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) prevention strategy. Masks are required in indoor public spaces and outdoor mega events, regardless of vaccination status. Public Health inspectors continue to visit businesses across the county every day to ensure compliance with required safety measures and masking guidelines, provide technical assistance, and respond to complaints of noncompliance. Between July 1 and August 27, Public Health inspectors visited 7,833 restaurants, 102 bars, 1,895 food markets, 274 hotels, 282 gyms and fitness centers, 633 hair salons or barber shops, 353 food manufacturing plants, 1,522 personal care businesses, 20 shopping malls, 136 retail stores, 131 office sites, and 9 outdoor venues with a capacity for more than 10,000 people, among other businesses. Overall, the inspections revealed very good compliance with masking requirements and only 22 citations were issued to businesses, including gyms, restaurants, and office sites, for noncompliance with Health Officer Orders. Non-compliance at businesses can contribute to increased risk of workplace outbreaks and community transmission when COVID-19 spreads among employees and
customers. Violations of safety requirements and dangerous conditions can be reported anonymously to Public Health by phone at 888-700-9995 or online at www.publichealth. lacounty.gov. Monday, Public Health confirms 33 new deaths and 1,938 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 33 new deaths reported today, 10 people who passed away were over the age of 80, four people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, 10 people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and seven people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. Two deaths were reported by the City of Long Beach. To date, Public Health identified 1,407,317 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 25,284 deaths. There are 1,709 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 26% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 8,122,000 individuals with 16% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 2.5%, a decrease from last week’s same-day rate of 2.8%. This likely reflects the increases in routine screening testing, which occurs primarily among asymptomatic people. "I give my deepest condolences to those who are grieving the loss of a friend, neighbor, coworker, or loved one at this time. Our hearts are with you today and always,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. See Delta spread page 2