The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its interim public health recommendations for limiting the spread of COVID-19 in response to the Delta variant, which is driving an increase in cases across the U.S.
In its updated guidance, the CDC recommended that everyone, including fully vaccinated people, wear masks in indoor public settings in communities with substantial or high transmission.
Wood County Health Department is continuing to monitor new cases of COVID-19. After spending much of the summer averaging less than one case per day, Wood County is currently recording about 25 cases of COVID-19 per week.
If the county reaches 50 or more cases per 100,000 people in a seven-day period or test positivity rates of 8% or higher, there will be substantial transmission in Wood County.
The Delta variant behaves differently than other coronavirus variants. As a result, the county has to be prepared to change its strategy for limiting the spread of COVID-19. Delta spreads twice as easily as other variants and is driving case increases across the country.
Infections in fully vaccinated people, even with the Delta variant, happen only in a small proportion of people. When they do, most of these cases are mild. However, unlike previous variants, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected can spread the virus to others.
In most cases, those who are vaccinated are protected from serious disease and hospitalization, so the health department continues to urge anyone who can do so to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself against COVID.
Adding a mask indoors will help to further protect those in the community who can’t yet get the vaccine, including children under 12 and people with health conditions that limit the effectiveness of the vaccine.
The only way to defeat this pandemic is by working together. By getting vaccinated, masking, distancing and limiting indoor gatherings, the spread of COVID can be limited in Wood County.
The public can stay informed by checking the website—woodcountyhealth.org—for updated information and learning how to help protect yourselves and each other from COVID-19.
The mission of the Wood County Health Department is to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health of everyone in Wood County. Our Community Health Center provides comprehensive medical services for men, women and children. We welcome all patients, including uninsured or underinsured clients, regardless of their ability to pay, and we accept most third-party insurance. For more information, visit www.WoodCountyHealth.org.
