Los Angeles County, which includes Long Beach, remained in the most restrictive tier—meaning COVID-19 is still considered widespread—in the state’s weekly updated numbers on Tuesday.
Los Angeles County remains in the “purple tier” because its infection rate per 100,000 residents is too high: 7.6 per 100,000 residents. In order to move to the next less restrictive tier, red, the county can have no more than seven infections per 100,000 residents for at least two consecutive weeks.
The county’s positivity rate among those are tested is 3.7%, which meets the state requirement to allow more businesses to open.
Long Beach, meanwhile, reported three additional deaths from the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total fatalities since March to 253. The city also reported 40 additional cases of the virus, for a total of 12,471.
Long Beach officials said their seven-day average of cases per 100,000 residents is 7.3, and the positivity rate among those who are tested is 3.3%.
State and county officials also this week released guidance on Halloween, with trick-or-treating being “strongly discouraged.”
“COVID-19 continues to pose an important risk, as we say time and time again, so some of the traditional Halloween celebrations such as parties, door-to-door trick-or-treating, we know pose a high risk of spreading COVID, and are therefore strongly discouraged,” Dr. Mark Ghaly said during a Tuesday media briefing. “We suggest families, given this, should plan now on safer alternatives.”
While also saying large gatherings are banned, Ghaly noted that the state recently loosened its restrictions on get-togethers, but said such events should be limited to no more than three households.
He urged families to celebrate Halloween at home, while gathering virtually with friends or extended family.
“Virtual celebrations create a number of new opportunities for how to celebrate Halloween,” Ghaly said, suggesting activities such as virtual costume contests or pumpkin-carving contests.
City News Service contributed to this report.