HEALTH ADVISORY: Mask Use In Public Indoor Settings
HEALTH ADVISORY: Mask Use In Public Indoor Settings
July 27, 2021
Background
COVID-19 case rates are rising again after a period of decline: COVID-19 cases have increased
over 300% nationally from June 19 to July 23, 2021, along with parallel increases in
hospitalizations and deaths driven by the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. In Bexar
County, the case rate is now 28.8 per 100,000, up from 5.7 per 100,000 on June 21. The positivity
rate is 17%, from 1.3% on June 21. Our healthcare system stress score is high. While 62.5% of
Bexar County is fully vaccinated, coverage varies greatly by zip code, age and race/ethnicity.
A well-fitting mask helps prevent transmission of COVID-19, especially when social distancing is
not feasible. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) offers detailed guidance on mask
usage and supporting research here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting-
sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html
Recommendation for Universal Mask Use
Based on emerging evidence on transmissibility of the Delta variant, Metro Health recommends
that fully vaccinated persons ages 2 and up wear masks in public indoor settings due to substantial
community COVID-19 transmission in Bexar County.
In schools, Metro Health recommends that students, teachers and staff correctly and consistently
use a well-fitting mask while indoors, including on school buses. When it is not possible to maintain
a physical distance of at least 3 feet, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention
strategies, such as vaccination if eligible, screening testing, cohorting, improved ventilation,
handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and regular cleaning to help
reduce transmission risk. A distance of at least 6 feet is recommended between students and
teachers/staff, and between teachers/staff who are not fully vaccinated.
Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. People
who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are at low risk of symptomatic or severe infection.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and recommended for all persons aged 12 years of age and older,
even for those with prior COVID infection.
San Antonio officials recommend mask use indoors:
‘We’re in an emergency'
City, county, and health officials issued a public advisory Wednesday recommending all San Antonio residents, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear a face mask when in indoor public settings.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased in recent days, from 585 on Tuesday to 629 on Wednesday. The sharp rise in serious illness is due in part to the rapid spread of the highly contagious and deadly delta variant of the virus.
“I don’t think we can say it in strong enough terms what a dangerous situation we’re in right now,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.