Most affected neighborhoods

Ferrer outlined the areas of the county that have been hit hardest by the most recent spike in cases — four neighborhoods in the city of L.A., and two separate cities, as of July 17, based on adjusted case rates per 100,000 people:

• Downtown L.A., 824

• West Hollywood, 638

• Beverly Hills, 488

• Venice, 465

• Hollywood Hills, 459

• Studio City, 436 Ferrer noted that there were some common threads in those areas, and that while not exclusive to those areas were particularly notable there.

She said the increases are among younger people, between 18 and 49, with the biggest increases among 18to 29-year-olds.

“It’s being fueled by younger people,” she said, noting that younger people are intermingling more socially, and they’re more prominent in the workforce.

And it’s in the workforce where public health officials are seeing rising outbreaks at bars, restaurants and manufacturing plants, fueled by a highly infectious delta variant, and its seeking out people who have not been vaccinated, Ferrer said.

“We’ve seen big increase of outbreaks at work. And this is just the start,” Ferrrer said. Ferrer also noted small outbreaks among the homeless population, which was contributing to case rates in a couple of the areas where increases were steepest.

At the same time, Ferrer noted good compliance with the county’s rekindled masking order, requiring masks in indoor public settings. Restaurants, for instance, showed a nearly 91% to 94% compliance rate. Bars showed a 78 to 100% compliance, rate, according to Ferrer’s update.

Ferrer said targeted strategies, such as social media campaigns and mobile clinics, are set for these areas.