There’s been new guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding masking protocols against COVID-19.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says the CDC is recommending fully vaccinated people to wear masks when they are indoors, in public spaces, where there is a substantial or high transmission rate of the virus. She points out this new guidance deals mainly with the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

“It’s more contagious, it spreads more easily. If you remember from your kids having chicken pox, if one gets it, they are all going to get it.”

Wolf explains the reason for the change is due to those who are fully vaccinated being able to get a “breakthrough” of infection, but with milder symptoms because of the protection the vaccine provides.

“The concern is that a fully vaccinated person could unknowingly have the virus, have no symptoms and spread it to other people. So that’s why they’re saying we really are recommending that if you go indoors anywhere you should be wearing a mask, regardless of your vaccination status.”

Wolf adds the Delta variant is in Greene County and is one of the main reasons why there is an increase in new positive cases of COVID-19.