San Francisco, neighboring counties reinstate mask mandate amid delta variant concerns

Well being officers in seven Northern California counties on Monday mandated masks be utilized in indoor public locations, elevating a facial protecting advice they issued in July to a requirement.

The coalition of officers — from Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sonoma Counties and the Metropolis of Berkeley — first suggested residents to put on masks indoors no matter their vaccination standing simply over two weeks in the past. Citing a surge in circumstances attributed to the extremely contagious delta variant, the brand new mandate will take impact Tuesday.

“Indoor masking is a short lived measure that can assist us take care of the Delta variant, which is inflicting a pointy enhance in circumstances, and we all know will increase in hospitalizations and deaths will observe,” San Francisco performing well being officer Dr. Naveena Bobba mentioned in an announcement.

In response to the CDC, Contra Costa County recorded 2,723 new circumstances over the previous seven days, a spike of 53% from the week prior. Sonoma County’s case complete elevated 58%, with 684 new coronavirus sufferers final week.

San Francisco County reported 1,513 extra circumstances final week, 47% greater than the earlier seven days. Marin, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties every noticed circumstances climb between 33% and 41% final week, whereas Alameda County’s 2,385 new circumstances final week marked an 11% bounce from the week earlier than.

The masks mandate arrives after Los Angeles County responded to climbing coronavirus case totals by reinstating its masks mandate July 17. Along with carrying masks inside, the order requires companies to implement the indoor face-covering order and requests that employers present masks to their clientele.

“Once we all put on face coverings indoors, we’re defending our fellow residents and serving to our healthcare employees,” Bobba mentioned.