All counties surrounding Loveland are an area of Substantial Transmission
Loveland, Ohio – As the Washington Post reports that a new coronavirus variant discovered in Colombia is showing up among patients in South Florida and that the delta variant of the coronavirus appears to cause more severe illness than earlier variants and spreads as easily as chickenpox, according to an internal federal health document that argues officials must “acknowledge the war has changed”, Hamilton County Public Health says we are now in an area of “substantial spread”.
All of Hamilton County has been identified as an area of “substantial spread” of COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Substantial spread occurs when an area sees more than 50 cases per 100,000 population in the past seven days. Butler, Clermont, and Warren are also an area of “substantial spread”.
Hamilton County is at 54.07 cases per 100,000.
In updated guidance for substantial spread areas, which now includes all of the Loveland area, the CDC recommends:
- Everyone, including those fully-vaccinated, wear a mask in public indoor settings.
- Fully-vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
- Fully-vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
- Universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
“The Delta variant has altered the game plan for COVID-19,” says Hamilton County Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman. “We know masking works and is yet another layer, in addition to vaccination, to protect all of us from another surge of the virus.”
Vaccination remains the best way to avoid COVID-19 infection.“The vaccines are safe, effective and readily available,” according to Kesterman. “This is now a pandemic of the unvaccinated. If you have questions or concerns about the vaccine, please talk to a trusted health professional for the best information.”
