PRESS RELEASE

Throughout the state, COVID-19 cases continue to rise and the most recently detected variants are more communicable. In Long Beach, over in recent weeks, cases have been in the CDC’s medium transmission level. Currently, the 7-day case rate is 476.9 per 100,000, the 7-day hospitalization rate is 9.6 per 100,000, and 7.2% of inpatient beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients.  

Despite rising cases, hospitalizations among Long Beach residents remain stable, area hospitals have adequate capacity and fatalities remain low. Therefore, regarding masking, the City of Long Beach will continue to align with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which strongly urges, but does not require, masking in most circumstances. 

Masks continue to be required, regardless of vaccination status, in homeless shelters, emergency shelters, heating and cooling centers, healthcare settings, correctional facilities and detention centers, long-term care facilities and adult and senior care facilities. Additionally, the City will continue to require masking in public transportation hubs and on public transportation.  

The Health Department strongly encourages people to practice personal responsibility and common-sense measures to protect themselves, their loved ones and the greater community from COVID-19. People are advised to mask indoors when in public places, conduct rapid testing before and three to five days after social gatherings and choose outdoor activities where possible.  

Most importantly, people should get vaccinated and boosted when eligible. While the virus has infected vaccinated people, those who are vaccinated are far less likely to become seriously ill. 

The more that people mask and get vaccinated, the less likely it is that new variants could develop that would escape vaccines or treatments or could cause more severe disease. Fewer people will also suffer the debilitating effects of Long COVID - long-term issues related to their infection. Masking not only helps people from getting infected, but it also helps keep our community, especially our more vulnerable residents, safer. The Health Department appreciates the public’s commitment to follow State and local recommendations and orders as we all continue to learn to live with COVID-19 in our community.