The South Coast Air Quality Management District said in a press release on Sunday that crematoria permits usually include limits on the number of human remains that can be cremated each month, based on the potential impact they will have on air quality.
But following requests from both the coroner and the health department, the agency issued an emergency order to suspend permit conditions that limit the number of cremations, as long as crematoria submit an email and meet certain requirements.
“The current death rate is more than double that in pre-pandemic years, leading to hospitals, funeral homes and crematoriums exceeding capacity without the ability to handle the backlog,” South Coast AQMD said in a statement.
And the warrant says another wave of deaths is approaching, sparked by the gatherings that took place over the New Year holidays.
The emergency order is in effect for 10 days and is renewable, the agency said.
Los Angeles County health officials reported on Sunday that more than 13,800 people have died from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and that more than 7,400 have been hospitalized with the virus – 23% of whom are in the ICU.
Late last week, county health officials said in a press release that both health workers and ICU capacity remain “tense.”
“The most important action everyone must take to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives is to stay at home and not mingle with others outside of your household,” the press said.