Pasadena, County COVID-19 Case Rates Continue to Decline

The city remains in the Yellow Tier with case numbers across the region continuing to decline as the state closes in on the June 15 full reopening date.

According to statistics released by the state on Tuesday, the county’s average daily rate of new COVID-19 infections fell to 1.2 per 100,000 residents, down from 1.4 per 100,000 last week. The average rate of people testing positive for the virus slipped to 0.6%, down from 0.7% a week ago.

The city announced earlier this week that it will remain in concert with the state regarding the local mask mandate.

“Pasadena will align with the state to maintain current requirements for face masks until June 15,” a city release said. “This will allow a few more weeks for people who live or work in our city, students, and visitors to access vaccines, and to increase our overall community vaccination rates to keep our residents safer,” city officials said in a prepared statement.

So far 96,807 Pasadena residents have received at least one shot of the virus and 78,412 have been fully vaccinated.

New guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has led to some confusion on the continued need for face masks.

On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she supports the decision to wait until June 15, but she lamented mixed messaging from federal and local authorities.

“My response and the request to the governor was because there is frustration that’s been expressed by many individuals, including myself, regarding inconsistencies at the federal, state and local levels,” Barger said during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “… I just believe that we need to have consistency.

“And when the president and the vice president stand up and the CDC make that announcement … I just think it’s important for us to be transparent in terms of what is driving issues surrounding wearing masks and not wearing masks,” she said.

Barger praised state officials for saying the decision to wait until
June 15 to lift mask mandates was based on the time needed to get more people vaccinated and develop guidelines for businesses once mandates are lifted.

Barger noted that since there is no vaccine-verification process, unvaccinated people could simply take advantage of relaxed rules and shed their masks, risking more spread of the virus.

In the state and L.A. County, face coverings are not required outdoors for fully vaccinated people except at crowded events, and — for unvaccinated people — when physical distancing cannot be maintained. In indoor settings outside the home including public transportation, businesses and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination
status.

The CDC revised its guidance last week, saying fully vaccinated people can largely stop wearing a mask in most indoor and outdoor situations. But that guidance does not usurp local and state regulations.

Some national supermarket chains including Trader Joe;s, Costco and Walmart have dropped the mask requirement for fully vaccinated customers in response to the CDC announcement, although store officials said they will not
be asking for proof of vaccination.