INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Health Department is encouraging all residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face masks in indoor public spaces. The statement comes on the heels of new CDC guidelines that recommend face masks for everyone in indoor public spaces after a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases in certain areas. Much of Indiana has seen substantial increases in positive cases of the virus and rising hospitalizations.
Marion County has seen an increase in community transmission levels, with unvaccinated individuals making up over 98% of new cases. The Delta variant of the virus is the most prevalent in new positive cases.
Research has found that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 are 95% effective, and also offer significant protection against the new variants. Vaccinations are free and widely available to individuals 12 and older. However, only about 44% of the population in Indiana is fully vaccinated. Nationwide, almost 50% of the population is fully vaccinated. To schedule a vaccination, call 211 or visit ourshot.in.gov
Other public health measures individuals can take include washing hands with soap and water frequently, and maintaining six feet of social distance with unknown and unvaccinated individuals.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, over 4 million people have died globally, with over 611,000 deaths in the United States.