Los Angeles County has taken proactive measures to combat the recent surge in COVID-19 cases by reinstating a mask-wearing requirement for staff and visitors at all licensed health care facilities. The decision comes as the county entered the "medium" level of COVID-19 hospital admissions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a statement released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, it was acknowledged that there has been a notable increase in COVID-19 reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths over the past week. Despite these increases, health officials emphasized that the current metrics are still significantly below the peak witnessed last winter. To mitigate the transmission and severity of the virus, they strongly recommend implementing common-sense protections as the new year begins.

The CDC defines the medium level of hospital admissions as between 10 and 19.9 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 population over a seven-day period. As of the week ending December 23, the CDC reported 10.5 new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 people in Los Angeles County.

As per the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order posted on December 27, all healthcare personnel are now required to wear masks while in contact with patients or working in patient-care areas. This requirement is applicable regardless of COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status. Additionally, all visitors to licensed health care facilities providing inpatient care are also required to wear masks in the presence of patients and within patient-care areas. These measures will remain in effect until the county's COVID-19 hospital admission level falls below the CDC's medium level for at least 14 consecutive days.

According to state data, there were 609 COVID-positive patients in Los Angeles County hospitals as of December 23. This represents a significant increase from the 259 reported on November 1. However, it is important to note that the current numbers are lower compared to the same period last year when the count surpassed 1,200 patients. It should be noted that some patients were admitted to hospitals for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 and were subsequently diagnosed with the virus through hospital testing.

In the past week, the average daily COVID-19 cases in the county have risen by over 25%, from 495 to 621, as reported by the health department. However, it is believed that these figures underestimate the true number of cases due to a large number of home test results that are not reported. The health department has also noted a rise in daily average COVID-related deaths, with five reported on a daily basis, an increase from the two reported earlier in December.

Health officials have emphasized that the majority of COVID-19 deaths are among individuals with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension.

Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health expressed the possibility that the increase in transmission could be linked to the emergence of new COVID-19 strains, including JN.1, a lineage descended from BA.2.86, an Omicron variant. However, officials have clarified that JN.1 does not appear to result in more severe cases of COVID-19.

Experts continue to emphasize the importance of taking common-sense precautions to protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses during this holiday season. These precautions include wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing, and getting vaccinated.

As the battle against COVID-19 persists, it is crucial for individuals and communities to remain vigilant and adhere to the recommended safety measures to safeguard public health and curb the spread of the virus.