Summit County Health Department supports the use of face coverings

Photo: Utah Department of Health

SUMMIT COUNTY UTAH, Utah —The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently changed their stance for fully vaccinated Americans, saying they should wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of high or substantial transmission.

On Thursday night, the Washington Post published an internal CDC document that it obtained. The document highlights the severity of the delta variant in the eyes of the agency. Namely that it appears to be more severe and spreads easier. It said that officials must “acknowledge that the war has changed.”

Summit County is currently listed under the CDC’s standards as an area of substantial transmission. Salt Lake County is one step above, rated as a spot of high transmission.

On Thursday, the Utah Department of Health announced 1,113 new COVID-19 cases.

“Today’s case count is another step in the wrong direction for our state,” said Gov. Spencer Cox.

“But we remain confident in vaccines to help us turn the tide. Unfortunately, nearly everyone who is getting sick, and who will end up in the hospital because of today’s case counts, is unvaccinated. This pandemic of the unvaccinated is tragic because it is preventable. It has never been easier to get a vaccine. While we are encouraged by increases in vaccinations, we need more people to protect themselves and their families.”

The Summit County Health Department “supports the use of face coverings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.”

“While prevalence of positivity remain low in Summit County, we are continually monitoring data and having discussions about all potential measures to mitigate COVID-19 spread as allowed by current legislation,” the Health Department said in a statement.

“We are proud of Summit County’s high vaccination rate to date (87% with one dose and 78% complete among those 12 years and older). COVID-19 is now almost exclusively a pandemic among the unvaccinated. Therefore, we urge those who have not been vaccinated to do so.”

Despite Summit County’s high vaccination rate, nearby counties are nowhere close. Neighboring Wasatch County is at 53 percent for those 12 years and older, Salt Lake County at 61 percent, Morgan at 45, Duchesne at 38, Rich at 44, and Utah County at 47 percent.

Intermountain Healthcare officials said that over the last week, 89.7 percent of Utah’s coronavirus cases were unvaccinated people. 98.5 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Utah since January 16 were among unvaccinated individuals.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall signed an executive order requiring masks in city-owned buildings and facilities.

The rule applies to both vaccinated people and those who have chosen not to.

“As a City we’ve always looked to the CDC and our health experts to guide our actions against the spread of COVID-19, and today is no different. It’s clear that cases are rising across the nation and right here in Utah. This measure we are taking is an important step in protecting everyone working or visiting a City facility,” Mayor Mendenhall said.

Masks are not required if you are outside and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing.

Everyone 12 years and older is eligible to receive a vaccine. You can register at vaccines.gov or call 1-800-232-0233.