08/02/2021
MASKS TO BE REQUIRED INDOORS IN ALL PUBLIC SPACES, AND IN BUSINESSES ACROSS THE BAY AREA BEGINNING TUESDAY
Eight Public Health Officers across the Bay Area including Sonoma County's Dr. Sundari Mase issued new COVID-19 guidance on Monday, requiring members of the public to wear masks in all public indoor spaces, and inside businesses. The order takes effect at 12:01AM Tuesday.
The new, tougher rules come as the Delta variant continues to spread across the nation, and here in the Bay Area, at rates that are worrisome to health officials.
The orders will apply in the counties of Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and the city of Berkeley.
Here in Sonoma County the number of new cases each day has been on the rise since June, and totals approximately 50 new cases each day at present. The daily rate per 100 thousand among unvaccinated individuals in the county stands at around 33, nearing the rate of over 50 per 100 thousand seen during the height of the pandemic last winter in Sonoma County. Meanwhile, the daily rate per 100 thousand among vaccinated individuals in Sonoma County is far lower, currently around 6. (Image 1) However, since there are more vaccinated people than unvaccinated in the county, fully 20 percent of new cases now being detected in Sonoma County are among those who are vaccinated.
In addition, studies show vaccinated people who become reinfected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Among the most important factors of concern to health officials are hospitalization rates. They have been rising rapidly throughout July across the Bay Area. Most cases of hospitalization involve unvaccinated individuals.
Health officials stress that the Delta variant is around 60 percent more transmissible than previous variants and can be spread in some cases by vaccinated individuals. In addition, breakthrough infections among those already vaccinated is higher with the Delta variant (but still much lower than among the unvaccinated) and many vaccinated individuals may not know they've been re-infected as their symptoms may be mild or non-existent.
Health Officials, including Dr. Sundari Mase of Sonoma County, say these factors make the new masking requirements necessary for everyone until the rate of transmission falls once again.
These same officials stress that vaccination does protect individuals from serious health outcomes, and they urge all unvaccinated people to consider getting vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
The Bay Area rules are aligned with CDC guidelines that now recommend face coverings in all indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Sonoma County's vaccination rate among people 12 and over now stands at 70% fully vaccinated, 8 percent partially vaccinated, and 22 percent unvaccinated.
