With the Delta variant ramping up COVID-19 cases across the country, the CDC recommends that everyone n Massachusetts mask up once again.
On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines for wearing masks in the US. It is now recommended that everyone should wear masks indoors in particular counties where transmission levels are classified as high or substantial—regardless of vaccination status.
As of August 15, every county in Massachusetts has either a substantial or high transmission rate. Eight counties have high transmission rates: Berkshire, Hampden, Essex, Suffolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Dukes, and Nantucket. That means that there’s an average of 100 or more COVID cases per 100,000 people.
The other six counties have substantial transmission levels, meaning that there’s an average of 50-99 COVID cases out of 100,000 people.
In all of these counties, vaccinated people are recommended to wear masks while indoors to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health added to the CDC’s recommendations on July 30. They recommended that vaccinated individuals should also wear masks if they have a weakened immune system, or are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition.
Stay informed and stay safe, Boston!
[featured image: Unsplash / Michael Browning]