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Faced with rising coronavirus cases and growing concerns about the Omicron variant, California is ordering a statewide mask mandate for indoor public spaces to go into effect on Wednesday. The move comes as coronavirus case rates in California have risen by almost 50% in the last 2½ weeks, and COVID-19 hospitalizations are up by nearly 15%. County health officials across the state say they suspect they may be seeing the start of a winter jump in coronavirus cases. (Lin II, 12/13)

For many parts of the Bay Area — which lifted indoor mask mandates in certain settings recently after reaching high vaccination rates and low case rates — the state’s announcement will mean a return to indoor masking in offices, gyms and other places where vaccinated people had been able to go maskless. ... In addition to the tightening mask rules, California will require people attending mega-events of 1,000 people or more that don’t require vaccination to show proof of a negative test taken within one day for an antigen test, and within two days for a PCR test. The previous window was 72 hours. (Ho, 12/13)

Philadelphia will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to dine indoors at bars, restaurants, indoor sporting events and other food-related establishments starting Jan. 3, city and public health officials announced Monday. Public Health Director Cheryl Bettigole said Philadelphia has seen infection rates double in the last few weeks and hospitalizations increase by about 50%. (12/14)

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to eat indoors, see a movie, attend a wedding, or go to a Sixers or Flyers game in Philadelphia starting in January, officials announced Monday, as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to surge in the city and state. Anyone entering an establishment where food is served indoors will need to show proof of vaccination at the door as of Jan. 3. “This winter looks like it could be very difficult,” said Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole. “We have to do something to slow the spread now before it’s too late.” (McCrystal and Wood, 12/13)

Acting Pennsylvania Health Secretary Alison Beam will resign at the end of the month, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday, after a year of rapidly changing conditions marked by the coronavirus vaccine rollout, the state’s reopening, the emergence of the delta variant, the advent of booster and pediatric shots. Beam, 35, took over the role in January, when then-Secretary Rachel Levine departed to serve in the Biden administration. She is leaving to spend time with her family, said her deputy secretary, Keara Klinepeter. Klinepeter will become acting secretary in January, Wolf said. (McDaniel and McCarthy, 12/13)