The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has reported that the county has surpassed more than 30,000 deaths due to COVID-19, as the health department recorded an additional 102 additional deaths on Feb. 16.

With hospitalizations under 2,500 for seven consecutive days, the department issued a modified L.A. County health officer order recommending, but no longer requiring, masking at outdoor mega events and outdoor spaces at K-12 schools and childcare centers.

For the week ending Feb. 13, the seven-day average of daily COVID-19 hospital admissions decreased by 87 admissions from the prior week to 242 admissions this week, translating into a 26% decline in county hospital admissions.

While the number of daily hospital admissions has continued to decrease, the number of hospitalized COVID patients in intensive care and those requiring ventilation has remained fairly stable compared to the previous week.

While masking will no longer be required at outdoor mega events or in outdoor spaces at childcare facilities and K-12 schools, the masking requirement at indoor establishments will continue until the county has seven consecutive days at or below moderate transmission and there are no emerging reports of significantly circulating new variants of concern that threaten vaccine effectiveness.

Per state regulations, indoor masking at K-12 schools, childcare facilities, youth settings, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless and emergency shelters, and cooling centers is still currently required. The state will also provide an updated assessment on Feb. 28 on appropriate safety considerations for schools.

Additionally, per federal regulations, masking when riding public transit and in transportation hubs is still required.

Employers must also continue to provide high-quality and well-fitting masks to workers who are in close contact with others until transmission is lower. Vaccination verification will also continue at mega events and indoor sections of bars, lounges, nightclubs, wineries, breweries and distilleries.

The health department reported 3,348 new cases of COVID-19 on Feb. 16 as well. Of the 102 new deaths reported, one person was between the ages of 18-29, six people were between the ages of 30-49, 18 were between the ages of 50-64, 29 were between the ages of 65-79 and 35 were aged 80 years or older.