CDC Says Too Soon To Lift Face Mask Mandates, FL Counties Ignore

FLORIDA — Despite more Americans being vaccinated every day, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in some parts of the country, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an announcement Friday, indicating it's too soon for Americans to throw away their face masks.

"We are in a complicated stage of the COVID-19 pandemic," said the CDC in a statement. "Americans are being vaccinated every day at an accelerated pace. As of April 15, more than 125 million Americans have received at least one dose of vaccine, and more than 78 million Americans are fully vaccinated. And yet, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in some areas of the country, and among younger people who have not yet been vaccinated."

The CDC's announcement comes at a time when Florida counties have lifted or are considering lifting mask mandates. Last week, Pasco County lifted its requirement that masks be worn inside all buildings accessible to the public, following in the footsteps of Sarasota, Manatee and Polk counties.

Pinellas County announced it is will revisit its mask mandate next month.

The CDC said the reasons for these increases are complicated but potentially related to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants that are becoming predominant in some communities.

Nationally, COVID-19-related emergency department visits as well as both hospital admissions and current hospitalizations have risen among patients ages 18 to 64 years in recent weeks.

"As access to vaccines for all Americans increases, we have reason to be hopeful," said the CDC. "However, until more of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated, consistent use of prevention strategies, such as universal and correct use of masks, social distancing and hand washing will help to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Even if you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking these everyday precautions in public places."

According to the AARP, 26 state governments currently require people to wear face coverings in public places, while 13 states have lifted orders (Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, Kansas, Wisconsin and Utah).

Florida recommends, but does not require, face coverings for the general public.

While lower coronavirus positivity rates in some cities and counties may tempt officials to lift restrictions, the CDC warns it's too soon.

"Cases are increasing among young people who have not yet been vaccinated," said the CDC. "Continued use of prevention measures like wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet apart from others, even if you’re fully vaccinated, will help stop the spread of COVID-19."

The good news is that emergency department visits and hospitalizations among people ages 65 years and older have decreased, likely demonstrating the important role vaccination plays in protecting against COVID-19, said the CDC.

As of April 15, 80 percent of people 65 years or older have received at least one dose of vaccine and 63.7 percent are fully vaccinated.

Florida's positivity rate for coronavirus as of Friday is 6.83 percent. Out of 106,502 tests results received by the Florida Department of Health Friday, 99,226 were negative.

As of Friday, 2,115,191 Floridians have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic was declared in March 2020 with 87,943 Floridians having symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization and 34,330 deaths.

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