Some US cities are considering reinstating masking to protect against the COVID-19 Delta variant.
Though the Delta variant is among the most common COVID-19 strains in some countries, Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Debra Bogen says there have been two known cases in the county so far.
She said Wednesday that the two cases were discovered in April and May.
"Which means that the variant's been circulating here in Allegheny County for a while," she said. "Unfortunately with the variant testing, we don't have a denominator. We don't know how many samples were tested. I can't tell you a proportion or a rate, just that there were two cases."
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As some cities reconsider reinstating mask orders, Bogen said people should wear them if they'd feel more comfortable.
"Our rates are very low and therefore, I think that masks aren't necessary right now, except for those who are at risk for severe infection, those who are not vaccinated and in specific settings where they're still required, like healthcare settings and other communities," said Bogen.
Though Bogen says she won't give any predictions for a future mask order, she did say Allegheny County is in a really good place in terms of COVID case counts.
On Monday, June 28, the statewide mask order was lifted by the Wolf administration.
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