Businesses will no longer be required to ensure guests wear masks, but may opt to continue to require guests to wear masks as a condition of service. at local pharmaciessuch asCVS,Safeway,Albertsons,Walgreens, You can email her at agraff@sfgate.com. To date, County Health has identified 43,444 positive cases of COVID-19 across all of San Mateo County and 584 deaths. Vaccination is Widely Available in San Mateo County Updated booster shots are Unlike San Francisco, Alameda County pointed to specific criteria for when the mandate will be lifted. , For additional information on the most effective types of masks and ensuring a well-fitted mask for adults, individuals should refer to CDPH Bay Area mask mandates can end when county COVID-19 transmission rates reach the yellow moderate level for three weeks and 80% or more of their total population is fully vaccinated. San Mateo County has followed the state in lifting its indoor Marin County is seeing some of the lowest COVID-19 case rates in the Bay Area. of Public Health. tosmchealth_iz@smcgov.org. This This data dashboard has been archived and may contain content that is out of date. But certain groups including children ages 5-11 and Black, Latinx and Pacific Islander populations have vaccination rates less than 80 percent. 1-833-4CA4ALL So we set that as the metric well want to see less than 15 people in the hospital for COVID-19 before lifting the mandate. This data dashboard has been archived and may contain content that is out of date. MS 0500 For additional considerations for children and masking in childcare settings, see COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs. They are among a dozen states with mask mandates in schools. Here's what all seven counties said when asked about the future of indoor mask mandates. In alignment with the State, San Mateo County is joining the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley in lifting universal mask requirements for most indoor . Wearing a mask is recommended in indoor public places. Consistent with the SMARTER Plan and our adaptation of the SarsCoV-2 virus in our lives, California is updating its masking guidance. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance. Of the four Bay Area counties not in the yellow tier Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Napa and Sonoma Santa Clara is the closest one to entering with a seven-day case rate of 53.17. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines in San Mateo County: https://www.smchealth.org/covidvaccine, Learn more about COVID-19 testing options in San Mateo County: https://www.smcgov.org/testing, Requirements for all industries after June 15: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/#can-open, Access community resources: People who are experiencing homelessness or unsafe living conditions where they cannot afford safe shelter are encouraged to try to stay with family or friends, identify housing options, or access emergency resources such as shelter. 2023 San Mateo County. Across the county, 82 percent of total residents have been fully vaccinated while almost 90 percent have received at least one vaccine dose and almost 400,000 booster doses have been administered. [However, the customers] who arent wearing a mask anymore are happier. retired. On March 12, California will also lift the mask mandate in K-12 schools, public transit . On Friday, Marin was the county that's the closest to meeting the requirements, reporting one of the lowest COVID-19 case rates and the highest vaccination rate in the region. California joined Oregon and Washington in lifting school mask mandates, officials announced Monday. 2 alleged robbers caught for snatch-and-grab theft in San Mateo County; Im not sure that the mask mandate being dropped had much of an impact because the majority of people who come into the theater still wear masks.. Health officials from 11 Bay Area jurisdictions including San Mateo County say they will lift universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings beginning Wednesday, Feb. 16. Willis said Marin's high vaccination rate is helping drive down cases and hospitalizations. Newsom, a Democrat, has come under pressure from Republicans and other critics to ease the mandates. By aligning with the state masking rules, the participating Bay , Masks are especially important in settings where vulnerable people are residing or being cared for, and increasingly important as the risk for transmission increases in the community. California mask rules are changing but not disappearing. Alameda County is currently listed as a place of "high" transmission, as is every other Bay Area county with the exception of Marin, which is listed as "moderate. How to tell the difference as spring nears, Where are masks still needed in California? George Rutherford, an epidemiologist at UCSF, told KPIX 5 that pandemic fatigue is real, and fortunately, it coincides with a sharp drop in virus spread. clinics at congregate care facilities, including skilled nursing Solano County has no indoor mask mandate and is not using any of the criteria. Solano County Will lift its indoor. Eric did his undergrad at Pomona College, where he majored in politics and minored in economics. through pharmacies and free Regardless of the COVID-19 community levels, CDPH recommends: There is lower community spread and impact on healthcare system of COVID-19. Endemic is really about accepting that it will be present in the environment and we all have to take steps to protect ourselves and our family members and our communities in ways that are appropriate for the situation.". On Monday, the county saw a seven-day average of 85 cases per 100,000 people, a considerable drop from the early January peak of 239 cases per 100,000. Most of the U.S. population 5 years of age and older has antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, either from vaccination or infection that can serve as a foundation for the protection provided by the bivalent vaccines, an FDA official said. The universal mask mandate was implemented, along with other COVID-19 recommendations, on Dec. 15 for four weeks. Long COVID and heart issues: What do we know about lingering symptoms and treatment? But other COVID restrictions apply at California airports, Have questions about the COVID vaccine? Get the Most out of Masking and see People vaccinated against COVID after infection still at risk, study says. For outdoor events with more than 10,000 people, there is no vaccination requirement but masks or negative tests are recommended. Bay Area health officers have released guidelines for ending indoor mask mandates. Marin was the first to enter the yellow tier a week and a half ago, and was followed shortly after by San Mateo County. What to know, SLO County teacher was arrested over a paper cut? SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA Even as the COVID-19 outlook for San Mateo County improves, health officials warn that the virus is not going to disappear. If you have household or social contact with a vulnerable person*, wearing a mask is recommended when indoors with them, There is high communityspread and impact on healthcare system of COVID-19. The new threshold comes after Sunday's Super Bowl that will draw as many as 100,000 football fans to SoFi Stadium outside Los Angeles. COVID-19 community levels are based on hospitalization rates, hospital bed occupancy, and COVID-19 incidence during the preceding period. Wear a mask around others if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat). Chin-Hong believes that in "stable environments" where proof of vaccination is required, removing your mask may outweigh the benefit more than the risk for some. Aragon enforces student supervision policy, The benefits and dangers of cryptocurrency, Boys lacrosse loses to Priory 10-17 on senior night. With hospitalizations starting to fall off across the highly vaccinated Bay Area, SFGATE checked in with the eight counties enforcing an indoor mask mandate and asked whether health officials are eyeing any specific case or hospitalization thresholds to determine when to lift mandates. The now extended universal mask mandate will end on Feb. 15. health care settings. "If they know that the people that are taking their mask off are vaccinated then I think they're going to feel a whole lot safe," said King. The new restrictions affect all residents, not just those who are unvaccinated. such as Walgreens, CVS, and others. Aug 2, 2021. ", Willis added that mandates would be kept in place if other concerning variants arise, and that his county will be "be approaching this cautiously" as "It's much harder to get control after a surge starts than to prevent it.". All eight Bay Area counties still enforcing an indoor mask mandate are using the same shared metrics that will determine when the mandates will be lifted, and some counties are closer to hitting those metrics than others. To achieve this, authorities are easing cautionary measures so residents can gradually and safely begin the return to pre-pandemic customs. The universal mask mandate was implemented, along with other COVID-19 recommendations, on Dec. 15 for four weeks. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines in San Mateo County: : People who are experiencing homelessness or unsafe living conditions where they cannot afford safe shelter are encouraged to try to stay with family or friends, identify housing options, or access emergency resources such as shelter. We are carefully monitoring the data and will adjust health orders when safe to do so.". This includes children under 2 years old and individuals with medical and mental health conditions or a disability that prevents wearing a mask. had previously told his board of supervisors, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). "We estimate that there are around 68,000 currently eligible and unvaccinated residents. California Department of Public Health (CDPH), please view the The now extended universal mask mandate will end on Feb. 15. In neighboring San Mateo County, Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow emphasized a separate point officials made during the briefing: The mask mandate is intended to curb transmission so that . Facilities that are high-risk settings should make respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit or surgical masks available to any residents and staff who would like to use them. ", Now, with cases and hospitalizations decreasing in the San Francisco, the city's health department said in a statement, "We continue to monitor the cases and hospitalizations and will make decisions on masking requirements based on the data and the science and are consulting with our regional and state partners on next steps.". mask mandate for vaccinated persons, effectiveFebruary 16. When the mandate was first announced, city acting Health Officer Dr. Naveena Bobba expressly referred to the mandate as "temporary. They start having conversations and bring more friends, so we get more clients.. or withoutadvance appointments onMyTurn, though appointments are In summary: When - The California indoor mask mandate expired at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. However, he said people should use more caution in settings where there is a lot of movement, including grocery stores and malls. Copyright 2022 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. to schedule an appointment by location, visitvaccines.gov. "We see February's local COVID-19 situation beginning much better than January," Rogers said. Gov. Residents can continue toschedule vaccination appointments A few counties, such as Santa Clara County and Los Angeles County, proposed a later date to lift their mask requirements because they want to ensure lower COVID-19 case rates before changing the regulations. She said it's just one more step to operating business as close to normal as possible. Employees who wear respiratory protection, Vaccinated people attending religious worship services, Other people who are exempted from face coverings according to other CDPH rules. available with or withoutadvance appointments Is the Stanley Quencher tumbler worth its TikTok hype? Eric Ting is SFGATE's politics editor. In recent days, county data shows that daily COVID hospitalizations have dropped to 84 as of Monday, compared to over 100 in recent weeks. "Last week, there were 15 total COVID-19 hospitalizations in Marin. Health officers for the nine Bay Area jurisdictions that require face coverings in most indoor public spaces. Effective April 3, 2023, the updated guidance is intended to provide information that each Californian should consider based on their unique circumstances. "I think we are all hoping for a quick juncture," Stan Houston, owner of Mozart Einstein & Me in Livermore, told KPIX 5. CDPH Masking Guidance Frequently Asked Questions. A San Mateo County spokesperson said the county has a total population vaccination rate of only 72.5%, which will increase once children ages 5 to 11 can begin receiving inoculations in the. I dont think the school should lift the mask mandate because its like etiquette for people to keep wearing masks to protect other students, said junior and Virology Club member Josh Lee. Individuals who are vaccinated and live in these areas will be allowed to remove their face coverings when in certain indoor spaces, such as their workplace or the gym. By request, County Health offers COVID-19 and flu vaccination Health officials said Monday that more changes to the state's policies will be released in the coming week. "Omicron has loosened its hold on California, vaccines for children under 5 are around the corner, and access to COVID-19 treatments is improving," said state Public Health Officer Dr. Toms J. Aragn. new guidance here. For references on the effectiveness of masks and respirators, see CDC Science Brief: Community Use of Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2., Originally published on November 16, 2020, PO Box 997377 These public health recommendations will be updated as CDPH continues to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. faith-based organizations concluded on March 31. In San Mateo County, 72% of the total population is fully vaccinated, the county health department said. Amy Graff is the news editor for SFGATE. People have been wanting to return to a more normal lifestyle by not having to put a mask on and stay home from work, said San Mateo County District 2 Supervisor Carole Groom. providers and pharmacies. Sacramento, CA 95899-7377, For General Public Information: Performers are advised by the CDPH to get tested for COVID at least once weekly. to Default, About the Viral and Rickettsial Disease Lab, CDER Information for Health Professionals, Communicable Disease Emergency Response Program, DCDC Information for Local Health Departments, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, VRDL Guidelines for Specimen Collection and Submission for Pathologic Testing, State of CaliforniaHealth and Human Services Agency, en Beginning April 3, the California Department of Public Health It plans to keep indoor mask requirements in place until the county has two straight weeks at or below a "moderate" rate of 50 new cases per 100,000 people and there aren't any reports of a new, troubling variant circulating, Ferrer said. Weve been wearing masks for almost two years now so itll be nice to see each others faces again, especially since I think a lot of students dont really care about [wearing masks] now because [the Omicron variant] is not as severe, Molloy said. The state recommends those who travel in or out of California get tested for COVID within three to five days. She has been with SFGATE for more than 10 years. All Bay Area counties now appear to be seeing some relief from the omicron surge in terms. County Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis has even assigned an earliest possible date for when the mask mandate can be lifted (Nov. 3), but noted that any case or hospitalization uptick will. While Marin's move into the yellow is promising, it needs to remain at that level for 21 consecutive days. This story has been updated to include additional information from the California Department of Public Health on exemptions to the new indoor mask mandate. Read more here. The mandate came after COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have increased across the state and with the detection of the omicron variant. Dr. Anand Chabra, San Mateo County Health COVID-19 mass vaccination section chief, also reminded that getting vaccinated remains the most important way to protect against COVID-19, as vaccinated and boosted people are less likely to end up hospitalized from COVID compared to unvaccinated people. at risk of severe illness of death if they are infected with COVID-19. dashboard has beenupdated for the final time and will be Government and school administrations still suggest the use of masks despite the lifted mandate. If you have household or social contact with a vulnerable person*, wearing a mask is recommended when indoors with them. Capacity and distancing restrictions have been lifted for most businesses and activities. See Ms. Stretchs email for more details. It would be better if we were still wearing masks because [guests] might have an appointment for three or four hours and sit in a chair without a mask on and [employees] wouldnt know about [their vaccination status], said Y Salon & Spa receptionist Andrea Davila. Heres why, She couldnt recognize her dad after COVID, study says. People who are hearing impaired or need to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired are also not subject to the mandate. Local governments can continue their own indoor masking requirements. Marin County Public Health Director Dr. Matt Willis said the earliest date the mandate could end is Nov. 3, but the county needs to work hard to keep cases down to get there, and if cases and hospitalizations bump up, this date could easily be pushed back. County Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis has even assigned an earliest possible date for when the mask mandate can be lifted (Nov. 3), but noted that any case or hospitalization uptick will set that back. Ive heard from residents who have let us, the County Health Department, know that they preferred the mandate to be in place longer, Srinivasan said. California health officials said Monday that they are "continuing to work with education, public health and community leaders to update masking requirements at schools to adapt to changing conditions and ensure the safety of kids, teachers, and staff.". "I would hope that they follow what the state is doing. SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Governor Gavin Newsom is set to let California's statewide mask mandate expire on February 15, but each county has or can implement a mask mandate of their own.. PCR testing remains widely available through health care providers and pharmacies. This affects about 50% of Californians who are not currently under a county-level mask mandate. Property owner speaks out. First published on February 7, 2022 / 11:00 PM. Homebound They can also call 211 or one of the Core Service Agencies located throughout San Mateo County: Copyright 2023 County of San Mateo. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Business owners, including Toni King, are holding their breath on what counties will decide on Feb. 15. My dream would be that both of them just say,'This makes sense, state of California, let's follow suit and make it easier on businesses.'". 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. That's almost 10 times higher than the low point in June, despite a countywide vaccination rate of 78% among residents age 12 and older. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation. With the end of the California COVID-19 State of Emergency, it is appropriate to revise our current masking framework. (CDPH) will no longer require masks in indoor high-risk and Heres what rules will (and wont) change, People receiving medical or cosmetic service on the nose or face. All Rights Reserved. Reset And while the county plans to align with the state's . Kids - Unvaccinated individuals. 11. Rapid antigen test kits (home test kits) are also available The current rate is 117 cases per 100,000 people. By Astrid Casimire, Bay City News Foundation. The mask mandate will be lifted when there is evidence of a sustained downward trend in transmission and ICU capacity has recovered.. It will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday. Merchant said the county is working with community-based organizations, medical leaders and community leaders to educate residents on vaccine safety and efficacy and the risks posed by COVID-19. All rights reserved. Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program, California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP), Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Program. "And hopefully, fingers crossed, they'll continue in the right direction for the next several months.". Tested guidance. To qualify for the yellow tier, a county must report fewer than 50 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days. Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities, Homeless shelters, Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers, State and local correctional facilities and detention centers. San Francisco On June 2, following Alameda County's announcement of a renewed indoor mask mandate, San Francisco officials told KQED that they don't have plans to reinstate a similar mask mandate at this time. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. "But not committing to any single metric. SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) California will end its indoor masking requirement for vaccinated people next week but masks still are the rule for schoolchildren, state health officials announced Monday amid rapidly falling coronavirus cases. On April 11, the girls and boys varsity track and, On March 21, Aragon senior Lloyd Walter signed his, On March 21, three more trees fell on Aragons c, Just before 7 p.m. on March 16, power was restored. But I may keep mine on for another few months, just to feel safe and comfy.". In early August, seven Bay Area counties San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, Marin and Sonoma simultaneously issued an indoor mask mandate for all individuals regardless of vaccination status as the more contagious delta variant of COVID-19 started to spread in the region. When asked whether the county still plans to keep the mask mandate in place until the FDA approves vaccines for younger children, the county's health department said in a statement, "We continue to monitor and maintain situational awareness of our case counts and vaccination rates to provide the community with the most current information and will inform the community when the mandate could be or is lifted," and "we defer to the federal authorities on when children under 12 years would receive the vaccine.". In San Mateo County and across the state, the COVID situation is improving as case rates fall. The CDC tracker lists Marin's seven-day case rate at 48.29, meaning any slight case uptick could dislodge the county from the yellow tier and reset the three-week clock that the counties decided upon. ", Other county health officers haven't publicly shared at what point hospitalizations will be considered "low and stable.". Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Read more aboutthe February 7, 2022 / 11:00 PM / CBS San Francisco SACRAMENTO (CBS / AP) California will end its indoor masking requirement for vaccinated people next week but masks still are the rule for. "I think the way we're really thinking about this is to deemphasize the word 'end' in 'endemic'," Rogers said. During a meeting of the county's Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Louise Rogers, chief of San Mateo County Health, explained her thinking behind COVID becoming endemic. San Mateo County joined seven other Bay Area jurisdictions in requiring masks in public indoor settings after COVID-19 has resurged in the region. We can say that, while the summer surge of COVID-19 likely peaked in mid to late August in Contra Costa, our case rates and hospitalization totals remain high, comparable to last winter.
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