COLUMBUS – Faced with rising COVID-19 cases blamed on the highly contagious delta variant, state health officials will recommend that unvaccinated students and staff wear masks to school this fall, but are not planning to issue any mandates.
That is according to the Chief Medical Officer of the Ohio Department of Health, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, who says wearing masks, practicing social distancing, hand-washing and providing proper ventilation are “essential to the safety of students this school year.”
Details concerning the recommendations will be posted on the ODH website by Tuesday, he said.
Vanderhoff noted that the number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio increased from 27 per 100,000 residents on July 15 to 45.8 on July 22.
The nation’s top infectious diseases expert told CNN’s State of the Union that “we’re going in the wrong direction,” and Dr. Anthony Fauci described himself as “very frustrated” with rising infection rate.
He says recommending that the vaccinated wear masks is “under active consideration” by the government’s leading public health officials and says booster shots may be suggested for people with suppressed immune systems who have been vaccinated.
OSU, Kroger team up
The Ohio State University and Kroger are collaborating to help Ohioans get vaccinated.
The Buckeye Vaccinate Tailgate tour launches on Aug. 2 and features three stops at Kroger stores in Ohio.
“We are all looking forward to getting back to enjoying our favorite Buckeye traditions, but we want to make sure we’re doing so safely. The Buckeye Vaccinate Tailgate tour offers these life-saving vaccines at no cost, no appointment and no hassle,” university president Dr. Kristina Johnson said.
Tailgate tour stops are set for the following dates:
- Aug. 2, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kroger Newark Marketplace, 1155 N. 21st St. in Newark
- Aug. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Piqua Kroger, 1510 Covington Ave. in Piqua
- Aug. 6, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lexington Avenue Kroger, 1500 Lexington Ave. in Mansfield