A recent report found that Orange County, a county that does not require wearing masks, is seeing a lower COVID-19 case rate than Los Angeles County, which does enforce masks.
The number of cases for COVID-19 in Orange County is five per every 100,000 people compared to Los Angeles County’s nine for every 100,000 people. Each of these counties also have the same rate of hospitalization at six people per 100,000. Both of these counties each have similar rates of vaccination.
This data has come as the delta variant in California is passing. Only some counties implemented mask mandates for this variant, Los Angeles being the first one to do so of all counties, only a month after a previous mask mandate in California was lifted in June.
Orange County currently recommends mask wearing for all people when indoors, although unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks when indoors, according to California Department of Public Health guidance.
The report also found that despite San Diego County having a higher rate of vaccination, it is seeing a higher rate of COVID-19 cases than both Orange County and Los Angeles County. Hospitalization rates of San Diego County still remain similar to the other two counties.
This report comes as California has seen some of the worst lockdowns in the country last year. The state has continued its madness into this year unfortunately as well through new vaccine mandates. These mandates include requiring students to wear masks while in school as well as requiring students older than 12-years old to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. However, as time passes it is likely that it will become mandatory for younger children as well.
Photo Cred: Julie Leopo Voice of OC
