The Manitowoc County Health Department issued a release on Tuesday to celebrate that the Centers for Disease Control now designates the county as being at a ‘Low’ COVID-19 community level.
The seven-day average in the county has dropped from a pandemic high of 244 cases per day on January 17 to the current average of nine cases per day. Hospital capacity has also improved, with COVID-related hospitalizations down to less than half what they were during January’s surge.
County Health Officer Stephanie Lambert noted that the new designation is “great news.” She added, “We are in a much better place than we were just a few weeks ago, and this guidance reflects that.”
When an area is at a ‘High’ COVID community level, masks are recommended for indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. With Manitowoc County now being at a ‘Low’ level, masks are only recommended for those who test positive, have symptoms, or who have had close contact with a COVID-positive person.
Regardless of ‘Low,’ ‘Medium,’ or ‘High’ designations, masks are still recommended for settings such as clinics, hospitals and nursing homes.
The Tuesday release also reminds residents that vaccination remains the most effective method of remaining protected from severe disease and death.
