Lucas Co. Health Dept. updates on masking, COVID data

        In response to the decrease in COVID-19 cases nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released new guidelines on face masks, along with a new community tool aimed to help minimize the impact of severe COVID-19 illness on communities and healthcare systems.
        CDC’s new COVID-19 Community Levels assess data related to the proportion of hospital capacity devoted to caring for COVID-19 patients, the number of new patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital, and the number of new COVID-19 cases in the county in the past week.
        The combination of these numbers determines the COVID-19 community level in a county – low, medium or high. At press time, Lucas County was in the medium level, which states that masks are not required. Recommendations based on COVID-19 Community Levels may not apply to healthcare settings such as hospitals or long-term care facilities.
        The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department and CDC recommend the following COVID-19 prevention steps for medium-level:
        •  If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions.
        • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
        • Get tested if you have symptoms.
        People may choose to mask at any time. However, those experiencing symptoms, who have tested positive or have a loved one with a compromised immune system or have an infant or child too young for vaccination, should wear a mask in accordance with existing guidance.
        More information on prevention strategies and the new guidance on community levels can be found online at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html.
        Residents are encouraged to continue to use all available tools to protect themselves from COVID-19. Vaccines, boosters, and test are widely available. Vaccines and boosters are the best way to protect yourself from serious illness from COVID-19.
        TLCHD continues to offer free walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For additional Lucas County COVID-19 data and resources, visit lucascountyhealth.com/coronavirusupdates.
        Editor’s note: At press time (March 10), Wood County’s COVID-19 Community Level was medium; Sandusky County’s level was low and Ottawa County’s level was high. Stay updated at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html.