AKRON, Ohio – The city of Akron announced Friday it will reinstate a mandatory mask policy, regardless of vaccination status, requiring masks to be worn in all city government buildings beginning Monday, Aug. 9 to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this week reported Summit County had entered the substantial level for community transmission of COVID-19, following other Ohio counties that have recently moved from moderate to substantial levels.
According to the CDC, 67% of U.S. counties have entered the high level for community transmission, with 18% in the substantial range. Fewer than 5% are considered low for transmission.
The delta variant is more contagious than the flu and the common cold, and just as contagious as chicken pox, the CDC reported.
In a press release, Mayor Dan Horrigan recommended people also wear masks in indoor public settings. Recommendations were also issued this week by Summit County Public Health, along with Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Health.
Horrigan also urged anyone not vaccinated to get a shot soon, saying the delta variant is affecting unvaccinated people more severely than those who are vaccinated.
“Our public health officials and health systems have made it clear: the best way to combat COVID-19 and its variants is by getting vaccinated, masking and social distancing,” Horrigan said. “We will continue to heed the advice of those experts when it comes to keeping our city employees and residents safe, just as we’ve been doing throughout our entire response to this pandemic.”
About half of Summit County’s 540,000 residents are at least partially vaccinated, according to Summit County’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
Visit the Summit County Public Health website for the times and locations of vaccine clinics around the county.
