08 Aug CCH Recommends Indoor Masking to Avoid COVID-19

(Photo by Norbert Braun on Unsplash)

By Michael J. Fitzgerald

Contra Costa Health is recommending that people wear masks in crowded indoor settings to avoid contracting COVID-19.

The health agency’s advice comes in the wake of an increase in COVID-19 infections across the Bay Area. The masking advice is particularly emphasized for individuals with high risk of serious illness if infected.

CCH officials said this recommendation is not an official health order. But it is in alignment with existing state requirements and advice offered by neighboring counties.

The strain of COVID-19 now spreading through the Western U.S is called FLiRT.

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Wastewater sampling in Contra Costa County shows a steady increase in the presence of the virus. From May 9 to July 9, state tests of wastewater from the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District showed a quadrupling of COVID-19.

Indoor masking requirements in the Bay Area were lifted by most health agencies in February 2022, but they have continued to recommend masks for those at high risk whenever COVID-19 case rates grow high.

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“Face masks are an effective tool to reduce the spread of the virus, particularly for those who are at risk for serious illness when there is evidence of elevated COVID-19 activity in the community,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County’s health officer. “This is one of those times. Our health system is not seriously impacted by COVID currently, and our goal is to keep it that way.”

The county’s only standing COVID-related health order requires workers at healthcare facilities to mask from Nov. 1 to April 30 in order to reduce risk to patients from COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus.

Health recommendations for schools and community colleges remains unchanged. But officials said that with the school year beginning this month in most communities, CCH recommends encouraging students and faculty, particularly those who may be at risk for serious infection, to mask in classrooms and provide masks to anyone who asks for them.

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Other ways to protect against COVID-19 are to remain up to date on vaccinations, testing for COVID-19 whenever symptoms occur, and remaining at home from work or school whenever feeling ill, they noted.

Home test kits for COVID-19 are available from healthcare providers and pharmacies in the county. Individuals should check with their healthcare provider or insurer about any cost or copayment requirements for testing or test kits.

More information about COVID-19 in Contra Costa County can be found at cchealth.org/covid19.