HEALTH
These are the changes Salt Lake County made to its masking recommendations
Feb 28, 2022, 3:37 PM | Updated: Aug 2, 2022, 12:40 pm
Dr. Angela Dunn, executive director of Salt Lake County Health Department, discusses schoolchildren and masks at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. Children in the county under the age of 12 will be required to wear masks at school under an “order of restraint” to be issued by Dunn. (Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — You might see fewer masks in Salt Lake County now.
The county’s top health expert is saying people only need to continue to mask up to prevent COVID-19 if they have an underlying risk or spend a lot of time with others who have underlying risks.
Salt Lake County Health Department Executive Director, Dr. Angela Dunn, says that recommendation is based on the county’s hospitalizations.
“Now is the time to start rolling back some of these guidelines, at least for the near term,” Dunn said. “We can’t predict whether or not we’re going to have to shift our guidance again.”
She says the 7-day average of new hospitalizations in the county is nine, which is down from 53 in January.
“We have definitely seen a drastic decline in the right direction,” she said.
Dunn is still asking people to stay up to date on their immunizations. And if you’re sick — with anything — keep it to yourself.
Dunn says if you have someone who’s high risk in your house, definitely keep that mask on.
“One of the things I hope lasts from the pandemic, is our awareness of our symptoms,” she said, “and our desire to not get our colleagues and coworkers and family members sick — whether its COVID, the common cold, or the flu.”
Here’s more about what the Salt Lake County Health Department is recommending:
- COVID vaccinations, including boosters when possible
- Isolating at home and getting tested for COVID if you have symptoms
- Wearing a high-filtration mask when indoors in public — if certain personal circumstances apply
- Seeking early treatment if you test positive and are at high risk for serious illness
- Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition and regular physical activity
