Manitowoc County's community level of COVID-19 spread drops to low: How this affects mask wearing
MANITOWOC - The community level of COVID-19 spread in Manitowoc County has dropped to "low" after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated recommended indicators and associated guidance for monitoring the spread of the virus Feb. 25.
The county's Health Department said in a news release Tuesday that the new guidance reflects the current phase of the pandemic, in which many more people have some level of immunity through vaccination and prior infection, and access to testing and treatment has improved.
Masks are not recommended for most people in low or medium COVID-19 community levels, the Health Department said. Instead, masks are recommended only for those who test positive, have symptoms or who have had a close contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19.
The department said masks may continue to be recommended or required in certain settings, such as clinics, hospitals and nursing homes.
When a community reaches a "high" COVID-19 community level, masks are recommended for indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status, such as schools, businesses and other community settings.
Those who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease are encouraged to talk with their health care provider about COVID-19 prevention strategies, the Health Department said, adding vaccination remains the best way to protect oneself from severe disease and death.
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The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Manitowoc County has dropped from a pandemic high of 244 cases per day on Jan. 17 to the current average of nine cases per day.
Hospital capacity has also improved, with COVID-19 hospitalizations down to less than half what they were during January’s surge.
The Health Department said the CDC will use COVID-19 community levels to inform the implementation of prevention strategies in communities. The community levels are determined based on three metrics: new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past seven days; the average percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients in the past seven days; and the number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past seven days.
The new CDC guidance does not change current quarantine (if you are exposed) and isolation (if you test positive) guidance.
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Where to get vaccinated or tested
Local vaccine providers can be found at vaccines.gov or the Health Department's COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment page, or by calling the Health Department at 920-683-4155.
Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who was in close contact with someone sick with COVID-19 should get tested. Manitowoc County Health Department has a list of COVID-19 testing sites on its website. Additional testing sites can be located using the community testing sites map on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
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Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc County's community level of COVID-19 spread drops to low
