City’s COVID Public Health Emergency Health Order Could be Lifted Monday

The City Council will vote to adopt a resolution terminating the City Manager Proclamation of a Local Emergency and the Health Officer Declaration of a Local Public Health Emergency in response to COVID-19.

The end of the public health emergency comes as community spread of COVID-19 has decreased locally and statewide.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to all City employees and community partners who worked tirelessly to support our community during this unprecedented time,” said City Manager Miguel Márquez last week when the decision was made to end the emergency. “We remain committed to keeping Pasadena safe and seek community cooperation to utilize effective tools for all of us to be healthy as the virus continues to circulate.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the City of Pasadena has investigated 42,281 reported confirmed and probable cases; administered 42,628 vaccines; distributed 32,090 COVID-19 tests and over 100,000 pieces of personal protective equipment to the community and long-term care facilities; maintained a public data dashboard with key COVID-19 indicators; and provided guidance, site visits and assistance on health orders to nearly 3,320 outbreaks at businesses, facilities, and schools/daycares.

Terminating the local public health emergency will shift intervention measures from the Pasadena Public Health Department to individuals and their healthcare providers. 

The termination of the local health emergency will end the City of Pasadena pandemic response but the threat posed by COVID-19 will continue. Residents are encouraged to consider their personal and environmental risk factors to assess their risk of contracting COVID-19 and to take necessary precautions such as masking, vaccination, and social distancing to protect themselves and their loved ones. 

Pasadena Health Officer orders are not dependent on the state or local public health emergency. Dr. Handler will provide guidance, as needed, to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. The Department will maintain a complement of staff and continue vaccine delivery, surveillance and disease reporting, and case investigations and contact tracing for COVID-19 and other infectious disease.