Lewis and Clark Public Health recommends face coverings, other measures

Helena – Lewis and Clark County is now considered an area of substantial community transmission for COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Based on guidance from the CDC, Lewis and Clark Public Health recommends all individuals wear a face covering when in public indoor areas, regardless of their vaccination status. LCPH Health Officer, Drenda Niemann said the community must, once again, come together to ensure our cases don't rise higher.

"We're in a different place now with the pandemic. The Delta variant causes more severe illness and spreads much more easily. People know what to do – practice social distancing, avoid large crowds, and wash their hands," she said. "But the most important thing individuals can do to prevent the spread or effects of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, then help your family and friends get vaccinated. It's the only way to stop this pandemic."

Following the recent national surge of COVID-19 cases linked to the COVID-19 Delta variant, the CDC now recommends people living in areas of substantial or high transmission wear masks indoors when in public - regardless of their vaccination status. Data indicates the Delta variant spreads much easier than previous variants and can cause more severe illness. COVID-19 vaccines offer high effectiveness at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the Delta variant. However, even vaccinated individuals can spread the Delta variant. That's why universal masking in indoor public places is once again important regardless of vaccine status.

CDC levels of community transmission are based on two indicators, including cumulative cases per 100,000, or a cumulative test positivity rate in the last seven days. There are four levels: low, moderate, substantial, and high. More information can be found on the CDC's Data Tracker at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home. LCPH is working to incorporate this data into our COVID-19 Hub and Decision Making Dashboard, a process which we expect will be completed early next week.

Preventing and controlling local COVID-19 is dependent on personal responsibility and individual choices that residents of our county can make to protect our community.  Lewis and Clark Public Health continues to urge people to do the right thing to protect our community, including physical distancing, wearing a face covering, avoiding large gatherings, and hand washing. For those not yet eligible to get vaccinated, wear a mask in indoor public places, keep your distance, avoid crowds, don't go to school, or work sick, and get tested if you have COVID19 symptoms.