Washtenaw County is currently at a high COVID-19 community level (as of 9/8/22).
At this level, it is recommended that everyone wear a mask in indoor public locations according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Indoor public locations include K-12 schools and other indoor community settings. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should definitely wear a mask. Choose a multilayer surgical, KN95, or N95 mask rather than a cloth mask.
Everyone is encouraged to use available, effective strategies to prevent and reduce the spread of illness in our community, including:
- Get vaccinated and stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations (https://vaccinefinder.org). Everyone eligible should get vaccinated. Protection can weaken over time after getting vaccinated. Get a booster dose when eligible (www.washtenaw.org/covid19vaccine).
- Seek testing if feeling ill or if you have been exposed. Test before and after travel, as well as before gatherings, especially when events may include those who are at higher risk of severe illness.
- Stay away from others if you are feeling ill, are waiting for test results, or have tested positive (www.washtenaw.org/covid19whattodo). If you test positive, talk to your doctor right away about treatment options to prevent severe illness.
- Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. If you’re exposed to someone with COVID, wear a mask around others, monitor symptoms, and test 5 days after exposure (www.washtenaw.org/covid19whattodo).
- Maintain improved ventilation throughout indoor spaces when possible.
Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness: consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed, have a plan for rapid testing if needed, and talk to your health care provider about whether you need to take other precautions.
Anyone who lives with or has social contact with someone at high risk for severe illness should consider additional protective strategies, including self-testing to detect infection before contact and wearing a mask when indoors with them.
Those who are immunocompromised or have a history of severe allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines may be eligible for medications to help prevent COVID-19. Talk to your healthcare provider or learn more here.
Additionally, we recommend everyone be prepared: make sure you have high quality masks on hand and know how to get at-home tests. If you test positive for COVID-19, speak with your healthcare provider about treatment options right away. Those who are at higher risk may also choose to purchase a pulse oximeter to monitor their oxygen levels in case they become ill with COVID-19. You may also choose to take increased precautions if you live with or are frequently around someone who is high risk.
Please remember that COVID-19 is still present and will be part of our lives for a while, perhaps even indefinitely. Learn more about community levels and prevention recommendations here.
To stay updated on the latest COVID-19 information in Washtenaw County, follow us on social media or sign up for our email updates.
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