By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
After COVID-19 positive cases have increased locally in recent days, and the Delta variant has gained traction because of its high transmissibility, San Mateo County health officials have recommended a return to wearing facemasks indoors.
This recommendation covers all groups of people regardless of their vaccination status.
In that regard, health officials are asking businesses to respect the mandatory and universal use of facemasks when entering their spaces, as well as encouraging employees who are fully vaccinated to wear masks indoors if they are unaware of the vaccination status of those around them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCThe San Mateo County community has been placed at a "moderate" level of community transmission after the percentage of positivity over the past seven days showed a marginal increase of 0.89 percent compared to the previous week.
However, the increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19 grew 140 percent in that same period, meaning 12 people were admitted due to the virus.
According to the CDC, 70 percent or more of the population eligible for immunization has at least one dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
It's worth noting that the measure on re-masking indoors is not just in San Mateo County: officials in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sonoma and Berkeley counties issued the same "precautionary" advisory, but have yet to issue a new masking mandate for shared indoor spaces such as grocery stores and retailers.
The same health officials recalled that those who are fully vaccinated are highly protected both from contracting the virus, including the currently observed variants, and from becoming seriously ill or dying.
Recently and at a press conference, CDC officials called to maintain health measures such as social distancing, not going to crowded places, wearing masks in enclosed places and constant hand washing.
It is also important that all people who do not yet have their vaccine, go to health centers to get information and access the necessary doses for protection.
