In compliance with the state's new COVID-19 guidelines, Pasadena's health officer rescinds certain local orders COVID-19 UpdatesSeveral local orders relating to isolation, quarantine, and masking in public environments were rescinded by Interim Health Officer Dr. Eric G. Handler on Monday, March 13. The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) will continue to implement enhanced protective measures in healthcare settings. The rescission aligns Pasadena with the following new guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH):
Masking With current COVID-19 cases and hospitalization levels, masking for the general public is based on individual preference. Vulnerable populations, including people who are elderly, immunocompromised, or have underlying health conditions, and those who have contact with them should consider masking in indoor public spaces. Isolation Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should continue to isolate (stay home) for 5 days and may leave isolation after day 5, as long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicines) AND they either have no symptoms or their symptoms are mild and improving. A negative COVID-19 test is no longer required to leave isolation between days 6-10. PPHD strongly recommends that infected people test negative before leaving isolation between days 6-10. It is recommended that infected people wear a well-fitting mask for a total of 10 days. However, if two sequential negative tests are taken within one day of each other, then they may discontinue wearing a mask between days 6-10. Quarantine It is strongly recommended but not required that a person who is in close contact with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings or when near those who are at high risk for severe illness. It is recommended that close contacts test as soon as possible to determine infection status and then, if negative, test again within 3-5 days after the last known exposure. Schools, healthcare facilities, and workplaces must report COVID-19 cases and clusters to the PPHD to assess its impact. To prevent an unmitigated spread of COVID-19, public health officials will need to identify sectors where COVID-19 transmissions may be higher and take action immediately. For the eighth consecutive week, Pasadena has been categorized as a low COVID-19 community by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people decreased from last week by 11.9, resulting in a decrease from last week. Currently, there are 5.9 new hospital admissions per 100,000 people for COVID-19, a small decrease from last week. According to the seven-day average, COVID-19 patients now occupy 3.7% of staffed inpatient beds, down from 3.8% one week ago. Pasadena residents are advised to keep up to date on vaccines and boosters, get tested before gatherings, receive treatment and stay at home when ill despite less stringent guidelines. In contrast to individuals who had been vaccinated but did not receive the updated bivalent booster, the updated bivalent booster has been shown to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths. Compared to those who were not vaccinated against COVID-19, people who received the bivalent booster were over three times less likely to be hospitalized during the 30 days ending Feb. 21. Compared to those who had the updated booster, those who were vaccinated were 1.5 times more likely to be hospitalized. |
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