Los Angeles County employees will soon be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after an executive order was issued by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, a statement released Wednesday said. 

All county employees, regardless of the department they serve, will need to be fully vaccinated no later than October 1, with exemptions for medical and religious purposes. 

“This timeline gives our employees the time they need to consult with their healthcare providers, while moving expeditiously to protect the health and safety of our 110,000 workers,” the statement said.

The county on Wednesday reported another 3,743 new cases, 1,242 hospitalizations, and 16 deaths. 

With the rapid spread of the delta variant, daily cases have increased nearly eighteen-fold and hospitalizations more than five-fold, the statement said. 

“As vaccinations continue at a pace slower than what is necessary to slow the spread, the need for immediate action is great,” the statement said. “We cannot wait another day as this virus continues to upend and dramatically alter the lives of our residents. With today’s Executive Order, the County is prepared to lead, and I am hopeful other employers across our great County do the same.”