CDC and PA Health Alert Network Issue Updated COVID-19 Mask Guidance

People in Delaware County Urged to Wear Masks Regardless of Vaccination Status

The Pennsylvania Health Alert Network has issued the recommendation that all people, regardless of vaccination status wear a mask in public indoor settings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated COVID-19 guidance based on new evidence of the Delta variant currently circulating in the United States.

The new guidance includes:

• A recommendation that all people regardless of vaccination status wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. (Delaware County is now considered a county with substantial transmission.)
• Information that all people regardless of vaccination status wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
• A recommendation that all people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
• CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.

The updated CDC guidance can be found here

On August 2, the CDC listed Delaware County and neighboring counties as “communities of substantial transmission” for the coronavirus, as the number of new cases climbs with the more contagious Delta Variant. The Delta Variant is highly contagious and people who are fully immunized can still contract and spread the virus.

Delaware County has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases across the county. The 7-day average has increased from 6 to 45; a 360% increase in new cases in the past two weeks.

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus and respiratory viruses naturally peak in the fall. Therefore, residents are urged to get vaccinated if they haven’t already to prepare for an even larger spike in the fall.

The vaccination rate in Delaware County continues to increase. 58% of the Delaware County residents have received at least one vaccine, and 89% of residents age 65 and over are fully immunized. The goal is to reach at least 70% of the total county’s population in order to reach herd immunity and best protect the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and masking are our strongest defense against the deadly virus. The County is following CDC and Pennsylvania Health Alert Network guidance in County-operated buildings and urging residents and businesses to follow the public health guidance as well.

Hesitant or have questions? Learn more about the facts and fiction about the COVID-19 vaccine here: www.factsoverfiction.info

Information on County run and non-County run vaccine clinics across Delaware County can be found here.