TCHD: Masks optional for fully vaccinated individuals

The Trempealeau County Health Department issued a notice last week stating that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a face covering outdoors or in most indoor settings.

The advisory sent by the health department follows the guidance issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

“This updated guidance reflects scientific consensus on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating strains of the virus,” the release issued by the health department said. “Studies show that vaccines are more than 90% effective in real-world settings in preventing disease, hospitalization, and death. If there is a surge or other variants emerge, there is always a chance we may need to change the recommendations. But we know that the more people are vaccinated, the less cases we will have and the less chance of a new spike or additional variants emerging.”

The health department did advise that fully vaccinated people should still wear well-fitted masks where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

“With these guidance updates, there are important exceptions where everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear a mask,” the release continued. “Mask wearing should continue in health care settings, K-12 schools, correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters, and public transportation. Additionally, those who are not yet vaccinated should continue to wear masks and physically distance in public. People with weakened immune systems or those with additional questions should consult their health care provider about whether to discontinue mask wearing and physical distancing.”

The updated guidance came during a week in which there were fewer than 10 new COVID-19 cases in Trempealeau County. The DHS reported seven new cases in the county last week, four of those were in the southern part of the county as Galesville and Trempealeau each had two.

The DHS also reported a continued drop in the number of people who are being vaccinated. The 725 vaccines distributed in the county last week were the fewest since the vaccine became available to the public. Of those, about half were people receiving the first dose of the vaccine, many of which appear to be in the newly-eligible 12-to-15 age range. The number of people in that age group who have received at least one dose went from two percent at the start of last week to 9.5 percent on Monday.

While the mask requirements have been lifted, the health department still recommends county residents be vaccinated.