The Center for Disease Control updated its guidance in July to recommend that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear face coverings in public indoor settings in areas where transmission rates of the virus are considered “substantial” or “high.” This update’s goal was to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant and protect others, especially those immuno-compromised, unvaccinated, or at risk for severe disease.

According to the CDC’s most recent information last week, Cheshire County has transitioned from “moderate” spread to the category of “substantial” community transmission. See https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view for more details.

Because of this change, we will follow the CDC’s guidance and recommend that all customers and staff wear face coverings, regardless of their vaccination status. We hope this surge is short-lived and will continue to evaluate the latest data and recommendations each week.

The CDC reports that getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. It recommends that unvaccinated people should get vaccinated and continue wearing face coverings until they are fully vaccinated. With the Delta variant, this call is more urgent than ever.

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19, including severe illness and death.
• COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States, including the Delta variant.
• Infections happen in only a small proportion of fully vaccinated people, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild.
• If you are fully vaccinated and become infected with the Delta variant, you can spread the virus to others.
• People with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications, may not be protected even if fully vaccinated.

Thanks for your flexibility as we continue to navigate this changing landscape.