Mask Advisory Issued for All Residents Indoors Regardless of Vaccination Status

August 5, 2021

Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Public Health issued a mask advisory today urging everyone to wear a mask indoors and in crowded areas regardless of vaccine status until further notice. The advisory follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance for an area with substantial community spread of COVID-19.

In the last four weeks, the Franklin County positivity rate has more than doubled from 1.3% to 2.8%. Additionally, as of August 2, only 53.5% of all residents have started vaccination and 50.3% of all residents are fully vaccinated.

“The delta variant is extremely contagious and our cases are increasing,” said Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from hospitalization and death from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. And wearing a mask is another layer of prevention that will help protect yourself and others.”

In Franklin County we are now seeing substantial community transmission of the virus, primarily attributed to the Delta variant. Preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected (breakthrough cases) with the Delta variant can be infectious and can spread the virus to others.

“We know that masking works to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola.  “By masking up again we can break this substantial transmission rate, save lives and help our schools and businesses continue to stay open. “