Jackson County Health Department Updates Mask Guidance

(March 2, 2022 3:20 PM)  Today, the Jackson County Health Department updated their mask guidance for face mask wearing indoors:

On February 25^th the CDC updated their guidance on wearing masks indoors as well as the requirement for face masks on school buses and vans.  These changes come as a result of the drop in COVID-19 cases in the country and continue to move us towards a system that asks the individual to assess risk and determine the best actions to take.  Anyone 2 years old and older must continue to wear a mask when traveling on a public airplane, bus, or train and while in a transportation hub such as an airport or bus station.  Masks are no longer required on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems.

The guidance for wearing a mask indoors is tied to the current level of community transmission.  The level for each county is assessed and can be found on the CDC webpage.  Jackson County is currently in the Medium category.  The CDC has outlined prevention steps you should take based on your community level. 

Regardless of community level, settings such as healthcare, nursing homes, prisons, and other congregate care settings, may still require masks for employees and visitors to ensure the safety of vulnerable clients, residents, and employees.

Here are some common reasons why you may want to wear a mask when risk is low or medium in the community:

·         Find yourself in a setting in which you are around a group of individuals and you are unsure of their vaccination status

·         Want to take extra precautions as you or a loved one are immunocompromised or have risk factors that put you at high risk for severe illness

·         Work with vulnerable individuals, such as those in congregate or long-term care

·         You have been exposed to someone who is positive (you are a close contact)

Masks will continue to serve an important role in protecting individuals from exposure to illness.

It is critical that individuals continue to isolate if they test positive for COVID-19, and that close contacts appropriately quarantine and take appropriate precautions. Individuals up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to wear a mask for 10 days after a known exposure, see full details of quarantine and isolation. 

If you have any questions about what to do if you test positive on an at-home test, or any issues finding testing or other COVID-19 related resources, please call 788-4420 and hit option 9 to leave a message. Our team will return your call and help you find the resources or information you need.

For COVID-19 testing in Jackson County, you can contact the Henry Ford COVID-19 testing line at (517) 205-6100, or the Center for Family Health Hotline at (517) 748-5363. 

Visit www.mijackson.org/hd and click on COVID INFORMATION to view Jackson County COVID case counts as well as a menu of other COVID topics.

For resources on how to stay safe during the pandemic, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus and CDC.gov/coronavirus. You can contact the Jackson County Health Department with questions at (517)788-4420, option 9, and leave a message. In case of a medical emergency call 911.