Wayne County Health Officials Urge Students, Teachers To Wear Masks

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — The Wayne County Public Health Division is asking K-12 students and teachers to wear a mask for the next two weeks as classes resume after the holiday break.

"The return from winter break is a time of higher risk of transmission in the school-setting for not only COVID-19 but other respiratory viruses," county health officials said in a statement posted to the Plymouth-Canton Community School District website on Friday.

Although Wayne County was listed as a medium risk for COVID-19 transmissibility, health officials warned COVID-19, flu and RSV cases were rising throughout the county.

"This voluntary, temporary recommendation is about being proactive to reduce the combined impact of higher-than-normal levels of Flu and RSV and new COVID-19 variants," county health officials said.

Ann Arbor Public Schools announced Monday it will require all students and staff to wear a mask while indoors for the next two weeks.

County health officials urged all individuals and families to follow basic, everyday preventive actions including:

• Everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated against COVID-19 and Flu and receive the updated COVID-19 booster as soon as possible. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are the single most effective protection against severe illness and death.
• Stay home when sick and avoid being around others--especially young children and those at risk of severe illness. Wear a mask when unable to separate from others.
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19, stay at home for at least 5 days and wear a mask in public or around other people for at least 10 days.
• Keep a supply of COVID-19 tests at home. Test when you have symptoms, 5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19, before/after travel or gatherings, or before visiting someone at higher risk.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you test positive for the Flu or COVID-19. You may be eligible for treatment options that lower your risk of being hospitalized.
• Wash hands well and often.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper arm.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone is ill.