'Substantial' Coronavirus Transmission Reported In DuPage County

WHEATON, IL — DuPage County residents are advised to mask up indoors in certain settings regardless of vaccination status now that the county's coronavirus transmission rate has been upgraded to substantial. The recent spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations is likely linked to the "more contagious" delta variant, according to an update from the DuPage County Health Department Wednesday.

The county health department wrote that it aligns with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recommending that face masks be worn indoors in spaces that include:

• Restaurants
• Stores
• Workplaces
• Gyms
• Libraries
• Government buildings
• Healthcare facilities
• Other public venue

For schools, county health officials recommend "consistent and correct" mask use, in addition to other coronavirus mitigation strategies that include physical distancing, enhanced ventilation and contact tracing.

Related: COVID-19 Spread Rises To 'Substantial' In Cook County: CDC

“The increase in activity we’re experiencing is concerning given the high efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and our relatively high rates of vaccination in DuPage County. We continue to urge our residents who are 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to protect themselves and others against COVID-19 and the more dangerous [d]elta variant,” DCHD Executive Director Karen Ayala said in a news release.