WAUSAU, WI (Submitted to OnFocus) – Over the past few weeks, Marathon County, like communities across Wisconsin, continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases. Marathon County, as well as our surrounding counties are currently experiencing substantial community transmission.
In areas with substantial and high community transmission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WI Department of Health Services (DHS) recommends that everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of the Delta variant and protect others. Wearing a mask is particularly important when attending large indoor public gatherings and where social distancing is not able to be maintained. All teachers, staff, students, and visitors of K-12 schools are recommended to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
“With an increase of COVID-19 cases, getting vaccinated and wearing a mask is the best combination to stop the spread,” says Joan Theurer, Marathon County Health Officer.
CDC recommends fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
These recommendations are based on new science which indicates the Delta variant is highly infectious and is spreading more quickly than any other strains of COVID-19. Infections in fully vaccinated people happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. As of July 22, 2021, among those fully vaccinated in Wisconsin, 0.1% have become infected with COVD-19. Most people who experience infection after being fully vaccinated report mild or no symptoms.
The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19 and the Delta variant is to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 prevents severe illness, hospitalization and death. The COVID-19 vaccines helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities.
Past infection with COVID-19 does not assure protection from the Delta variant, so people who have had past COVID-19 infection are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. High vaccination coverage will not only reduce the spread of the virus, but also help prevent new, and possibly more concerning, variants from emerging.
Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your family, and your community. COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in Marathon County to everyone 12 years of age and older. For information on where to get a vaccine go to Marathon County COVID-19 Vaccine webpage or vaccines.gov.
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