INDIANA — State health leaders on Friday were “strongly encouraging” everyone over age 2 to mask up even if they’re vaccinated. They are especially pushing this in places such as schools and long-term care facilities.
Indiana State Health Department Commissioner Dr. Kris Box, says the state will follow the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, which is asking everyone to start wearing masks again.
The state’s recommendation came as the positivity rate continues to rise in Indiana. Hospitalizations are also up due to the spread of the Delta variant.
“A year ago today (Friday), we reported 900 cases per day. This week, we are averaging more than 900 cases per day,” Dr. Box said on Friday.
Health officials say the Delta variant is more contagious, which was why Dr. Box said even people who are vaccinated are included in the latest mask recommendations.
More than half of Hoosiers have still not received a single dose of a COVID vaccine, a state online dashboard says.
“Until we increase our vaccination rates and until we use every tool available to us to stop the spread of disease, this virus will continue to have the advantage. It will continue to mutate, and we will be constantly playing Whac-A-Mole for the foreseeable future,” said Dr. Box said.
“Demand has fallen off. We knew that this would happen. Unfortunately, it is happening when we are seeing a resurgence of cases due to the Delta variant,” said Dr. Lindsay Weaver, the state’s chief medical officer.
Breakthrough cases account for 0.126 percent of those who are fully vaccinated. So, for those who are frustrated in having to mask up again despite having already gotten vaccinated.
“What we are dealing with is a new variant here and until this particular virus has been around longer and more people have either been infected with it or vaccinated for it, over and over again we will probably continue to see pockets of an outbreak like this,” Dr. Box added.
Dr. Box says, the state is not putting another mask mandate in place but is leaving it up to localities to decide based on the recommendation from the state and the CDC.
Dr. Box streets Hoosiers get tested if they come into close contact with someone who tests positive, especially if symptoms are present, and wear a mask until they receive negative results and are symptom-free.
The state’s health commissioner acknowledged reopening Indiana elementary and high schools for in-person instruction will assuredly lead to additional infections of the coronavirus.
But Dr. Box also is confident the number of new COVID-19 cases among students, teachers, and parents can be minimized if Hoosier schools follow state safety guidance.
“I continue to believe that our schools can safely reopen by wearing masks, practicing social distancing and good hand washing, cohorting students, and ensuring that people who are sick, or are close contacts of someone with COVID, stay home,” Dr. Box said. “This does not mean that our schools will be free of COVID. What it means is that we all need to do everything possible to limit the spread of COVID.”
Dr. Box pleaded with parents to keep their children home from school if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are symptomatic while awaiting a COVID-19 test result, or have been in close contact with another person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
“Parents, please make sure you’re screening your children every day before they go to school. We’re counting on you to help,” Dr. Box said.
