MANSFIELD — Masks may be returning to everyday life, as COVID-19 cases rise in Ohio with the emergence of the Delta variant.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced Tuesday it is recommending vaccinated Americans wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of “substantial” or “high” community transmission.
Ohio also reported Tuesday more than 1,000 coronavirus cases for the first time in nearly two months.
In our coverage areas, Richland County and Knox County are considered a “moderate” level of community transmission. However, Ashland County and Crawford County are at a “substantial” level of community transmission, and therefore would be included in the new CDC guidelines.
The state of Ohio has a “moderate” level of community transmission, while the country as a whole is at a “high” level of transmission, particularly in the southern states.
According to the CDC, 34.3% of the population in Richland County is fully vaccinated, 33.9% of Knox County is fully vaccinated, 35.9% of Crawford County and 32.6% of Ashland County.
CDC director Rochelle Walensky has repeatedly said there is a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” because unvaccinated people make up the vast majority of patients hospitalized with the disease.
The Delta variant seems to spread more easily and quickly, which leads to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on healthcare resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths, Walensky said.
Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant, according to the CDC. However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others.
So far, studies suggest the current authorized vaccines work on the Delta variant and others. To schedule a vaccine appointment near you, click here for a list of COVID-19 vaccine provider locations.
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