Los Angeles County, which accounts for the bulk of the state’s COVID-19 cases and more than half of its reported deaths, is one of 11 counties not yet permitted to push further in reopening.

Tuesday afternoon, county officials said that they will align with California’s latest guidelines and allow faith-based services, in-store shopping at low-risk retail stores, drive-in movies and other recreational activities to resume.

Officials said last week their mission was to more fully reopen the county by July 4 — a goal that can be met only if the public continues to adhere to social distancing practices and other health recommendations, L.A.

County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cautioned.

The county Department of Public Health issued a new order Tuesday evening, officials said, setting the stage for Los Angeles to request a variance from the state to permit faster reopening in some areas.

At a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, officials debated whether to allow individual cities to progress at different speeds.

Ferrer said that Health Department staff had set out to visit every long-term and intermediary care facility in the county and that efforts to combat the virus in those areas needed to continue.