At their common assembly on Feb.16, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to finish the Public Well being Rule requiring indoor face coverings efficient Feb. 26. Shifting COVID-19 situations and better group immunity led to Public Well being’s advice to revoke the “masks mandate” and start the shift to the following section of COVID-19 Response.
People in high-risk teams, people who’re finishing isolation or had been lately uncovered, and residents susceptible to an infection ought to proceed to put on face coverings in public indoor settings till group transmission charges attain the average stage, as outlined by CDC. Primarily based on present traits, Ok-12 colleges are strongly inspired to develop plans to implement non-compulsory masks use by early March. Federal rules nonetheless require obligatory face coverings in sure healthcare settings, public transportation, and in airports and on airplanes.
“Present traits level to a shift in COVID-19 situations and point out the necessity for a revised response plan that encompasses prevention, surveillance, and equitable distribution of sources,” mentioned Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Well being (MCPH) Director.
Public’s Well being COVID-19 Response 2.0 focuses on mitigating probably the most critical outcomes of COVID-19—hospitalization, extreme sickness, and dying—whereas empowering the general public to take a larger position in stopping the unfold of the virus. MCPH advises county residents:
- Keep updated with preliminary and booster vaccine doses.
- Put on a high-quality masks in indoor public settings, as applicable.
- Keep dwelling and take a COVID-19 check, in the event that they expertise signs. If constructive, rapidly notify any shut contacts.
- Search early remedy for COVID-19 if you’re medically susceptible.
“Getting a booster dose if you’re eligible and persevering with to put on a masks when applicable, particularly for folks at excessive threat for critical sickness, is one of the best factor you are able to do to keep away from hospitalization and dying from COVID-19,” mentioned Dr. Washington.
COVID-19 Response 2.0 refocuses the County’s surveillance efforts away from case investigation and contract tracing and incorporates wastewater testing and emergency division go to monitoring for COVID-like sickness, that are extra dependable early indicators of transmission. The Plan maintains vaccination because the main COVID-19 prevention technique and renews different prevention efforts to distribute sources akin to vaccines, check kits, and face masks to the group.
Essentially the most up to date details about COVID-19 in Mecklenburg County is offered at mecknc.gov/covid-19 or by calling the County’s COVID-19 hotline at 980-314-9400 (possibility 3).
