DeKalb County Health Department Strongly Recommends Masking In Indoor Settings Regardless Of Vaccination Status

Posted By: Shawn Lowe
July 29, 2021 @ 12:11 pm
Local Highlights

As of yesterday, DeKalb County’s COVID-19 community transmission is now at Substantial level per Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD), consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health, strongly recommend everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask while indoors in areas of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission. DCHD recommends that employers, retailers, restaurants/bars, fitness/recreational centers, libraries, governmental entities, healthcare facilities, and other public venues require UNIVERSAL INDOOR MASKING of their staff and patrons regardless of vaccination status.

Based on increasing cases (case rate of 55/100,000) and increasing positivity rate (3.8%), DeKalb County is experiencing a SUBSTANTIAL level of community transmission for COVID-19 according to the CDC 7-day moving averages data link. With less than 40% of the eligible population in DeKalb County fully vaccinated, there is SUBSTANIAL risk for transmission of COVID-19 among the unvaccinated including children under the age of 12 who are not eligible for vaccination.

In addition to masking, DCHD recommends vaccination, social distancing, handwashing, staying home when sick, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces.

As vaccination efforts continue, there are numerous options for members of the community to get their COVID-19 vaccine in DeKalb County. In addition to visiting www.vaccines.gov to find a nearby vaccine provider, the DCHD offers COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., no appointments needed. For more information, visit https://health.dekalbcounty.org/about/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/.

Additionally, any DeKalb County residents who are homebound or who cannot safely leave their residence to visit a vaccination clinic are eligible to be vaccinated through our homebound vaccination program and should email covid19@dekalbcounyt.org or call (815) 748-2401 for assistance.

For general questions about COVID-19 and Illinois’ response and guidance, call 1-800-889-3931 or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV.