By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Today, Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH announced new recommendations amid the nationwide surge of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

Below is a summary and key points of the CDC’s recommendations:

  • Updated information for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States.
  • Added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
  • Added information that fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
  • Added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
  • CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status
Image by Vesna Harni from Pixabay

Read more at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The President of the American Medical Association, Gerald E. Harmon, M.D. released the following statement:

“With cases of COVID-19 continuing to increase in the United States and a significant number of people who remain unvaccinated, the CDC’s updated mask guidance is needed to help curb the spread of COVID-19—particularly the Delta variant, which we know is much more contagious.

According to the CDC, emerging data indicates that vaccinated individuals infected with the Delta variant have similar viral loads as those who are unvaccinated and are capable of transmission. However, the science remains clear, the authorized vaccines remain safe and effective in preventing severe complications from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. “We strongly support the updated recommendations, which call for universal masking in areas of high or substantial COVID-19 transmission and in K-12 schools, to help reduce transmission of the virus. Wearing a mask is a small, but important protective measure that can help us all stay safer.

“The AMA continues to strongly encourage everyone who is eligible for COVID-19 vaccines to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We urge anyone with questions about the vaccines to speak with their physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.”