Masks not required: Stanislaus County ends COVID-19 order after transmission level drops
Stanislaus County health officials lifted a coronavirus mask order Monday after the case rate showed lower transmission of COVID-19 in local communities.
The order imposed by county public health in early September has required people to wear face masks in indoor public settings this fall, regardless of vaccination status. A county news release issued around 5 p.m. Monday said the health order had come to an end, effective immediately.
The county’s seven-day average case rate fell below 20 cases per 100,000 population, which was the threshold for ending the mask order.
“We have made progress decreasing the spread of COVID-19 in Stanislaus County, but we need to not let our guard down,” Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county health officer, said in the news release. “We are entering the season where respiratory viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19, thrive and spread.”
According to the news release, county health officials will assess coronavirus transmission in the community and the situation in hospitals in the next couple of months. The county “may need to reinstate the face covering order if the capacity of the hospitals to best serve our community are again in jeopardy due to COVID-19,” the news release said.
Vaishampayan urged residents to continue taking measures to protect themselves and their loved ones from contracting the virus.
As of Monday, the number of COVID hospitalizations dropped to 101 patients, with 19 in intensive care beds. That is less than a third of the peak hospitalizations during previous surges of COVID-19 disease.
County health officials stressed that COVID-19 vaccinations are highly effective in preventing infection and a serious bout with the respiratory disease. The free vaccinations are recommended for everyone 5 years and older, the county news release said.
State mask guidance remains in effect
Even though the county has lifted the general mask order, guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health in June still requires people who are not fully vaccinated to wear a mask in businesses and other indoor public settings.
Regardless of vaccination status, the state guidelines also require face masks on buses and other public transportation, at K-12 schools, childcare centers, health care facilities, emergency shelters and long-term care facilities.
County health officials recommend 6 feet of physical distancing for meetings and indoor get-togethers, as the virus is spread through droplets when people sneeze, cough or talk near another person.
Those coming down with symptoms or testing positive must stay home, unless they are seeking medical attention.
People who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 need to monitor themselves for symptoms. If the symptoms emerge, people regardless of vaccine status should isolate and be tested. Those testing positive are required to follow the county health officer’s isolation order.
The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has additional information on the coronavirus, testing and vaccination opportunities at www.schsa.org/coronavirus.
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 5:57 PM.
