Coronavirus cases are on the rise again in the Bay Area, and counties are issuing new mask mandates ahead of the holidays.
The breakdown of new orders is shown by county.
santa clara county
In Santa Clara County, all persons, residents, and employees entering health care facilities are required to wear face masks.
The order goes into effect on March 24, 2023 and applies to everyone regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Except for children under the age of 2, people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask, people who are hearing impaired, or anyone for whom wearing a mask could pose a risk to themselves or their job. The county’s website says:.
For further guidance please visit: covid19.sccgov.org
San Francisco
In San Francisco, people who work in health care settings and prisons are required to wear masks, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated.
Officials also clarified that residents must carry masks as any business, public transport or organization has the right to require masks to be worn upon entry.
Wearing a mask is recommended when riding public transportation, when exposed to the coronavirus, or when in a facility where large groups of people gather.
For more guidance from San Francisco, please visit: SF.gov
alameda county
Like many Bay Area counties, anyone working at or entering a health care facility in Alameda County must wear a face mask, county officials said.
Residents must comply when requested by businesses, government offices, public transport agencies, and other organizations.
Although not required, county officials recommend that people over 65 or with serious health conditions continue to wear masks.
It is also suggested that people who are not up to date on the coronavirus vaccine or who interact frequently with others should also keep a mask on hand.
For further guidance please visit: covid-19.acgov.org.
Contra Costa County
Contra Costa Health Services CEO Anna Ross told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations countywide has increased from 8.1 to 12.1 per day since July. He said that it is increasing.
“So it’s trending upwards,” Ross said. We have been able to meet the increased demand for some hospital beds, but the demand is increasing. ”
As the number of cases in the Bay Area increases, which health officials attribute to the latest variants of COVID-19, Ross announced that Contra Costa Health and other Bay Area health agencies said it is introducing new mask requirements for health care workers.
“Today we issued a health order regarding mask-wearing for high-risk facilities, especially health care facilities,” Ross said. “Again, masks in hospitals, masks in skilled nursing facilities, masks in high-risk facilities.”
The new mask order does not affect patients or visitors at affected health care facilities.
Ross said the new order does not include other congregate living facilities, such as detention facilities or homeless shelters. To learn more about COVID-19 in Contra Costa County, visit: cchealth.org/covid19.
San Mateo County
Starting Nov. 1, everyone working in San Mateo County health care facilities will be required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
These include hospitals, dialysis centers, long-term care facilities, and more.
The order issued Tuesday says the county wants to get ahead of anticipated holiday crowds.
There are some exceptions, but they are very limited.
For more information about new orders, please visit: smchealth.org.
Solano County
Sonoma County health officials on Tuesday ordered health care workers who come into direct contact with patients to wear masks amid an expected surge in respiratory virus infections this fall and winter.
The order lasts from Nov. 1 to April 30 and covers employees of hospitals, clinics and other facilities where patient care is provided indoors.
Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said, “Each year, from late fall through spring, influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses that can cause severe respiratory infections occur. “We know that the infection rate is increasing.”
“Patients and residents of our health care facilities and congregate care facilities, especially young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions, are at higher risk for respiratory virus-related hospitalizations and deaths. “Health care, healthcare and health care workers, and congregate settings, are at risk for respiratory illness and can transmit the virus to customers, patients, and co-workers,” Smith said.
The advisory included guidance asking the public to wear masks in indoor public spaces if the county has high rates of COVID-19 or influenza.
Last fall, hospitalizations for influenza exceeded hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Sonoma County for the first time since the pandemic began.
Influenza hospitalizations peaked on Dec. 1 at 69 people, four of whom were in intensive care, according to county data. On that day, there were 43 people hospitalized with COVID-19, and two with both types. The number of hospitalizations due to the new coronavirus infection, which was the highest from last fall to winter, peaked at 61 on January 3 of this year.
For comparison, more than 100 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 during the January 2021 and January 2022 surges, compared to virtually no hospitalizations due to influenza at the time.
sonoma county
Sonoma County currently does not have a masking order in place, but is awaiting a state-level mandate.
California recommends that everyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or has been near someone who has symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19 wear a mask.
Officials are also encouraging residents to wear masks at all times, as businesses, public transportation and organizers may still require people entering their facilities to wear masks.
For more information, please visit: sonomacounty.ca.gov.
marin county
Regardless of vaccination status, people in the following locations in Marin County must wear a mask to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
- healthcare settings
- nursing home
- homeless shelter
- state and local correctional facilities and jails;
For more information, please visit: coronavirus.marinhhs.org.
napa county
Napa County is adhering to California’s mask guidance, which recommends masks be worn by anyone entering medical facilities or jails.
This guidance is for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
For more information, please visit: countyofnapa.org.
Tony Hicks and Thomas Hughes contributed to this report.
