Masks not required inside for vaccinees; COVID-19 vaccinations encouraged | New



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While some counties in the state require masks indoors regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, San Diego County continues to follow California Department of Public Health guidelines that require masking at home. inside unvaccinated people and hiding from everyone in some settings.

County health officials say getting vaccinated is the most important step in preventing the spread of COVID-19, moving the economy forward, reducing risks to vulnerable people and getting back to our way of life. before the pandemic.

“COVID-19 is now the pandemic of the unvaccinated,” said Wilma J. Wooten, MD, MPH, county public health official. “Get vaccinated now, especially as cases and hospitalizations increase.”

State guidelines allow companies to require masks for anyone inside, whether people are vaccinated or not. County health officials say San Diegans who feel uncomfortable around others should wear a mask if they choose.

“Even though I’m fully vaccinated, I still wear a mask in public,” said Eric McDonald, MD, MPH, county medical officer. “People should take whatever precautions they want to avoid contracting and spreading COVID-19, especially if they are living with someone who cannot get a vaccine or who is immunocompromised.”

Ninety-eight percent of hospitalizations in the past 30 days are to people who have not been vaccinated or have not completed the full series of the two-dose vaccine.

In addition, approximately 150,000 residents of San Diegan are only partially vaccinated and overdue for their second injection.

“One dose of the vaccine does not give you sufficient immunity to avoid contracting COVID-19, especially the Delta variant,” Wooten said. “Getting both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine gives you the best protection against all of the variants of COVID-19 that are currently circulating. “

Another 2,044 cases of COVID-19 and 55 hospitalizations were reported from Friday to Sunday (July 23-25). The number of community homes is now 27 after 12 more were confirmed in the past three days.

The county is working with medical providers to help them remind patients and is also using the San Diego immunization registry to develop follow-up reminders for those who are late with their second dose.

To facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccines, the county now operates the Great Eight, a set of free vaccination sites distributed geographically that allow people to choose one of three vaccines available in the United States, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson. & Johnson. For a list of locations and more information, visit www.coronavirus-sd.com/vaccine.

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