Gov. Newsom Lifted Most COVID Retrictions In Mid-June; Thirty Days Later, COVID-19 Rates Rise In LA County And Long Beach
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(July 14, 2021, 6:10 a.m.) -- In April, Gov. Gavin Newsom (facing a recall and corporate pressure to lift COVID-19 restrictions) announced CA would reopen without most restrictions on June 15. His administration cited no science for its action, but indicated increased vaccinations justified the reopening.
Thirty days later, Los Angeles County and Long Beach are seeing increases in reported COVID-19 cases and a steady increase in positive test results. Long Beach's COVID-19 levels have risen to levels within the now-abandoned "Orange" and "Red" level Tiers (that implemented various restrictions.)
Data released by City of Long Beach as of July 14:
L.A. County and Long Beach Public Health officials say the increases are being fueled by the more contagious COVID-19 Delta variant infecting unvaccinated individuals. L.A. County Supervisor Shiela Kuehl called those who refuse COVID-19 vaccinations "enormously selfish" by spreading the new more infectious COVID-19 variant.
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On July 12, Long Beach Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis told LBREPORT.com (audio here) that the COVID-19 increases aren't unexpected with the reopenings, her Department is monitoring the data but announced no local changes.
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On July 13, L.A. County's Dept. of Public Health said "Community transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County has increased to a moderate level and may continue to increase unless everyone consistently and proactively takes steps to reduce their risk of infection and the spread of COVID-19." It continued:
[LA Couonty Dept. of Public Health text] People are more likely to get infected and spread the virus when in indoors, where the virus is transmitted through the air and concentrates. Consistent and correct mask use by people indoors adds a layer of protection and can reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. At the current number of daily new cases and with continued circulation of the more easily spread Delta variant of this virus, Public Health strongly urges everyone, as a proactive and precautionary measure, to wear masks when in any indoor setting or business where vaccination verification is not required and the vaccination status of others is unknown. As a reminder, people who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks at all indoor public settings and businesses.
To our knowledge, public officials locally haven't mentioned the politically unmentionable: reimposing some COVID-19 restrictions to quell the increases. Long Beach's Health Department, which is legally separate from L.A. County, could legally impose restrictions independent of L.A. County and the Newsom administration but has historically aligned itself with L.A. County and Sacramento. .
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Support really independent news in Long Beach. No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report. LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. You can help keep really independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.
