LOS ANGELES, Calif.—In the face of steadily increasing COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, Los Angeles County residents will again be required to wear masks in indoor settings beginning July 17, health officials announced. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said on July 15 that the county is “not where we need to be” in terms of getting the population vaccinated against the virus, as evidenced by seven straight days of new cases numbers that topped 1,000. On July 15, the county reported 1,537 new infections, the highest number since early March. Davis said the rate of virus spread in the county has officially risen from moderate to substantial, with infections five times more likely to occur among unvaccinated residents. The current seven-day average rate of daily new cases in the county is now at 7.1 cases per 100,000 residents. As a result, Davis said a revised county Health Officer Order will …