Some Los Angeles residents are expected to wear masks inside their own homes as COVID-19 cases increase at alarming rates, health officials said.
Los Angeles County Director of Public Health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, on Monday asked anyone living with someone more vulnerable to the virus to disguise themselves at home, the KABC news station reported.
“At the moment, as there is so much diffusion, we recommend that people use facial coverage while they are indoors. This will add a layer of protection as we get past this wave, ”said Ferrer at a news conference.
Ferrer said the additional precaution is especially recommended for essential workers or anyone who leaves home to do necessary tasks.
“We strongly recommend that you keep your face covered if you are an employee who is leaving every day or, in fact, if you are someone who has to take care of essential tasks in your family,” said Ferrer.
The latest guidelines come at a time when the county has become one of the most affected regions.
In Los Angeles, about 10 people test positive for the virus on average every minute, KABC reported.
Ferrer said the county is “rapidly increasing our pace to reach the bleak 1 million cases”.
“The damaging impact for our families and local hospitals of this increase is the worst disaster that our county has experienced in decades,” she said.