More stringent masking rules have been reinstated in Alameda County to protect against the spread of COVID-19, county health officials said Friday.
State officials are again requiring masking for staff and residents in homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling and heating centers, while county correctional and detention centers must now comply with both state and local guidance.
Masking continues to be required in health care and long-term care facilities.
The previous rules were reinstated because hospital use for COVID-19 patients has increased in the county based on numbers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We have observed worsening increases in COVID-19 case reports and hospitalizations since October," Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss said in a statement. "Taking actions like masking and staying home when sick can prevent spreading illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV and help protect our health care system from strain."
Daily reports of COVID-19 and hospitalizations in the county are rising quickly, health officials said. As of Thursday, 149 county residents are hospitalized with COVID-19 and the case rate averaged over seven days is 21 per 100,000 residents.
COVID-19 spreads through the air, according to the public health department, so residents should consider wearing a mask again if they have stopped. Children under 2 years old should not wear a mask, health officials said.
Residents at risk for severe illness and their households are advised to wear a mask in crowded indoor places.
Adults and some teenagers can get free medication to prevent hospitalization from COVID-19 if they have even mild symptoms and they test positive for the disease, according to health officials.
People can talk to a health provider about the options or visit https://covid19.ca.gov/treatment/. Alameda County's community support line at 510-268-2101 can also help residents understand their treatment options.
Comments
Registered user
another community
on Dec 12, 2022 at 10:56 am
Registered user
on Dec 12, 2022 at 10:56 am
How do they expect to enforce it !!?
Registered user
Birdland
on Dec 13, 2022 at 10:41 am
Registered user
on Dec 13, 2022 at 10:41 am
Here we go again, and again these bureaucrats have no ‘science’ behind them to even go forward with this policy- science has proven them wrong on ALL accounts. They are part of the ‘first’ of three groups of people in the world that Mattis Desmet addresses in his book, ‘Psychology Of Totalitarianism.’ This group accepts what ever the government tells them as true- and their beliefs are founded in cement. With that I have succumbed to letting them live their life behind a thin piece of paper, just let us live ours.
Registered user
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Dec 14, 2022 at 9:18 am
Registered user
on Dec 14, 2022 at 9:18 am
The new term being used to scare people and justify the latest mandates is: TRIDEMIC
Registered user
Parkside
on Dec 14, 2022 at 10:05 am
Registered user
on Dec 14, 2022 at 10:05 am
Doesn't it make simple common sense that a mask prevents one's cough or sneeze elements from reaching other people near you? I was in a store yesterday and a child about 11 years old was coughing horribly without covering mouth and touching everything, and running about. The Mother was clearly sick too. All the rest of us have to duck and take cover. I'm not sure how much wearing a mask protects you, though.
I don't think people should have to be forced to wear a mask, it should be common courtesy in tight places, but, that is a thing of the past. It is interesting that we, at large, haven't experienced flu for the last two years...masking, maybe?
Registered user
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Dec 15, 2022 at 5:07 am
Registered user
on Dec 15, 2022 at 5:07 am
Masking preventing flu, partially yes.
Isolating ourselves and avoiding contact with people, definitely.