The Jefferson County Health Department has announced updated facemask recommendations for residents who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
County health officer and department director Gail Scott noted that on May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. The following day, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) endorsed these changes.
In summary, she said, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any non-healthcare setting, except where required by law or local business or workplace policy.
“Note that businesses and employers may continue to require the use of masks to protect their staff and customers,” Scott said.
“While case rates in Jefferson County have decreased significantly, over 50 percent of Jefferson County residents have not yet been vaccinated and bear a higher risk of symptomatic infection and transmission to others,” she added. “We strongly recommend every individual receive their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are able.
Scott said that the updated mask guidance for fully vaccinated people was based primarily on three factors: real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, scientific studies showing the vaccines protect against new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) variants, and data showing that it is unlikely vaccinated persons who becomes infected with the coronavirus will transmit it to others.
Guidance for healthcare settings remains unchanged at this time. In addition, employees and residents of congregate settings, such as correctional facilities and homeless shelters, should continue to mask. Similarly, Scott said, schools should continue to follow the CDC’s school guidance until more people and children are vaccinated.
The CDC’s guiding principles for these updates are:
• Indoor and outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.
• Fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to unvaccinated people.
• Fully vaccinated people should still get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Fully vaccinated people should not visit private or public settings if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days, or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Scott said the recommendations for fully vaccinated persons are as follows:
• Resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by law, local business, or workplace policy.
• Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel (for now, masking is still required on airplanes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation).
• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States.
• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings (e.g., employees or residents of homeless shelters and detention facilities).
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible.
Scott reported that for now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations.
Meanwhile, Scott advised that individuals who cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 can protect themselves by wearing FDA-approved masks or physical distancing in indoor or crowded outdoor settings where vaccinated and not-vaccinated persons may be mixing. Individuals living with those who cannot be vaccinated for COVID-19 also might consider continuing the use of masks or physical distancing to avoid infection and potential transmission to others.
“COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and beneficial for individuals, businesses, and our community,” Scott said. “Those who have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19 should empower themselves with reliable information about SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 vaccines.”
Persons may learn more by visiting the Jefferson County Health Department webpage or COVID-19 Dashboard. Individuals also may email questions or concerns to vaccine@jeffersoncountywi.gov.
The above chart shows the newest set of guidelines for unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people.
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