(KMJ) – California is extending the indoor mask mandate as the omicron varient surges.
A statewide mask mandate for indoor public spaces was reinstituted in mid-December. It had been set to be reevaluated on January 15.
On Wednesday, Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s Health and Human Services Secretary said given the sharp recent rise in infections and hospitalizations, the indoor mask mandate will be in place through at least Feb. 15th.
According to data compiled by the LA Times, California reported an average of 54,695 new COVID-19 cases per day over the last week, calling it the highest rolling total in the pandemic.
Dr. Mark Ghaly says they have admitted more patients on a day to day basis over the last few days than they did even at the peak of last winter’s surge.
As of this morning, we were approaching 51,000 individuals in the hospital. That is not just people with COVID. we have 8000 Just over 8000 cases admitted to the hospital with COVID.with COVID (2X)
-Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency
Health officials say they’ve seen a huge surge in children hospitalizations due to the coronavirus.
Hundreds of San Francisco teachers were out of the classroom Tuesday. Their union is demanding the district due more to protect educators during the current COVID crisis in order to keep schools open.
We are asking again the same things we asked in September. The smae things we asked over a year ago – consistent and robust testing, high quality masks that fit adult and children faces and appropriate sick leave to ensure the safety of the rest of the community.
Gabriella Lopez, SFUSD Board of Education President
State Health officials say California is not considering closing schools or businesses amid the omicron spike.
Dr. Ghaly spoke Wednesday to reporters questions about possible school closures, saying; “We are doing all that we can to make sure we provide the tools and the path to having schools return, stay in school, and keep kids in school.”
