Mask Advisory Issued for All Residents Indoors Regardless of Vaccination Status
Press Release
August 5, 2021
Columbus Public Health and
Franklin County Public Health issued a mask advisory today urging everyone to
wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccine status until
further notice. The advisory follows the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for an area with substantial community spread of
COVID-19.
In the last four weeks, the Franklin County
positivity rate has more than doubled from 1.3% to 2.8%. Additionally, as of
August 2, only 53.5% of all residents have started vaccination and 50.3% of
all residents are fully vaccinated.
“The delta variant is extremely contagious and our cases are
increasing,” said Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts. “The best
way to protect yourself and your loved ones from hospitalization and death from
COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. And wearing a mask is another layer of prevention
that will help protect your and others.”
In Franklin County we are now seeing substantial community
transmission of the virus, primarily attributed to the delta variant. Preliminary
evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected (breakthrough
cases) with the delta variant can be infectious and can spread the virus to
others.
“We know that masking works to slow the spread of COVID-19,”
said Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola. “By masking up again we
can break this substantial transmission rate, save lives and help our schools
and businesses continue to stay open. “
To see COVID spread in our community, visit the CDC at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home.
To find a free COVID-19 vaccine near you, visit
gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
For
more information on COVID-19, visit columbus.gov/coronavirus,
covid-19.myfcph.org or coronavirus.ohio.gov.
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