CCHD: Cook County Department Of Public Health Latest Masking Guidance

Press release from the Cook County Health Department:

Jul 30, 2021

(Issued July 30, 2021)

The CDC has issued updated recommendations for any county experiencing substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19. On July 29, 2021, the CDC indicated that Cook County is an area of “substantial” community transmission of COVID-19, meaning that there are between 50-99 new cases per 100,000 population as a seven-day rolling average. As such, the CDC recommends the following actions be taken to reduce community spread. In alignment with the CDC, CCDPH strongly recommends the following:

• Individuals over 2 years of age should wear a mask in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
• Fully-vaccinated people who have been exposed to someone who has suspected or confirmed COVID should be tested 3-5 days following the exposure and wear a mask indoors as above · Fully-vaccinated people may wish to mask outdoor in crowded settings. CCDPH fully endorses this action.
• Guidance has not changed for unvaccinated individuals: masks should be worn indoors and in crowded outdoor settings, regardless of the community transmission level.

CCDPH continues to strongly recommend the following guidance previously issued by the CDC:

• All people in school settings, including teachers, staff, students, and visitors, should wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status and CDC community transmission level.

In addition, CCDPH encourages fully-vaccinated people to:

• Mask indoors, or in crowded outdoor settings, regardless of the level of community transmission.

Masks continue to be required for all persons older than 2 years of age on public transportation, including buses, planes, trains, airports, bus stations, or any other indoor transportation hub. Masking continues to be required in health care and long-term care settings. Staff, residents and visitors should continue to follow CDC guidance.

You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if you have a weakened immune system or if, because of your age or an underlying medical condition, you are at increased risk for severe disease, or if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

CCDPH encourages all people 12 years of age and older to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Evidence supports the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Fully-vaccinated individuals are at significantly reduced risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death if they contract COVID-19. For a list of community vaccination events in suburban Cook County, please click here.

This press release was produced by the Cook County Health Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.