(WWJ) Under new guidance from the Detroit Health Department, everyone is once again being asked to mask up in indoor settings citywide.
On Wednesday, city officials said, as the COVID-19 risk in Detroit is increasing, indoor face masks are now recommended for everyone — including those who have been fully vaccinated — to mitigate the spread of the delta variant.
This move follows updated recommendations by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC, which have said people in areas of high or substantial risk of community transmission for COVID-19 should go back to wearing masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Officials say the city's risk level has increased to 57.6 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 from 33.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 over the seven-day period ending August 10. This moves Detroit from "moderate" up to the "substantial" risk designation, while the city has also been seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. [SEE THE CDC RISK MAP]
To be clear, this is a recommendation and not a mandate, per se. There is no mask mandate in Detroit or statewide at this time.
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The latest MDHHS recommendation can be found here.
“We are encouraging Detroiters to mask up indoors out of an abundance of caution,” said Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair, in a statement. “We want everyone to stay safe and healthy. Gather outdoors instead of indoors when possible. Stay home if you are sick. Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms.”
Meanwhile, Detroiters with symptoms urged to get a COVID-19 test
Free drive-through COVID-19 tests are available at the Joseph Walker Williams Community Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Detroiters and residents of Wayne, Macomb and Oakland. No appointment is necessary.
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Effective immediately, residents may now schedule vaccination appointments using their mobile device directly from the Detroit Health Department website: www.detroitmi.gov/health.
“Making an appointment to get vaccinated can now be done quickly and easily with your cell phone,” Fair added. “Walk-ins are still welcome at all sites. All Detroiters ages 12 and older have convenient options to get vaccinated. These vaccines remain the best tool we have to protect against COVID-19. I am asking all Detroiters to step up as they have done throughout this pandemic, and visit our website to get the facts about these life-saving vaccines.”
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