By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Staff Writer
With an increase in local COVID-19 cases over the past month, Sacramento County Public Health officials once again are encouraging residents to keep their masks on.
“Public Health continues to strongly recommend wearing masks in public places as an effective tool to prevent the spread of the virus, especially for those who are immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions,” said Dr. Olivia Kasirye, the county’s public health officer. “Continuing to mask indoors helps to protect those who are unable to be vaccinated.”
Sacramento County lifted its order for residents to wear face coverings indoors in workplaces and public settings in February.
According to county data, 3,088 new cases were reported June 7. The seven-day average was 1,082. In comparison, on May 7, no new cases were reported and the seven-day average was 230. Hospitalizations and deaths have not increased at the same rate as new cases.
Public health officials also have been busy investigating local exposure to the viral monkeypox disease. Public health has identified a fifth presumptive monkeypox case through contact tracing. At least 30 locals have been given a smallpox vaccine that has been shown to be effective against monkeypox.
Recent U.S. monkeypox cases have been linked to travel in Europe. Those who believe they’ve been exposed are asked to contact their primary care provider. The county also has established a web page to inform the public about area cases, much as it did with COVID-19. Future cases will be reported on the public health monkeypox page, dhs.saccounty.gov/PUB/Pages/Monkeypox.aspx.
For more information regarding Monkeypox visit cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html or cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Monkeypox.aspx.