Last Updated on July 28, 2021 by Cass County Online
On July 27, 2021, the CDC issued new guidance regarding masks.
They say “to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, everyone should wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.”
A map of counties and level of transmission can be found at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
According to the CDC, infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others.
To reduce their risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people:
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
- Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated. People who are at increased risk for severe disease include older adults and those who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, overweight or obesity, and heart conditions.
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Get tested 3-5 days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.
- Isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
You can find these updates on the CDC’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html