Indoor masking advisory withdrawn

The public health advisory on indoor masking, including use in schools, has been withdrawn.

Recognizing the COVID-19 case rate is declining, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency changed its response to the “recovery post surge” status.

Health Officer Rebecca Burns told her board last week she’s following state health guidelines for the ongoing virus cycle.

The recovery phase is characterized by a decrease in cases with no immediate resurgence of the virus predicted. As facts change, however, the cycle could go back to a readiness phase if new variants are detected, followed by a response stage if cases surge, she said.

Burns suggested it’s again all right to gather with family and friends, but to take care when dealing with those at risk.

All three counties remain at high risk because of infections rates. As of Saturday, Branch County was 176.9 cases per 100,000 and St. Joseph County 141.76 per 100,000.

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2 comments

  1. Yup — just as flu cases decline every year.

  2. This is a politics based decision. Not a medical one.

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