Politics & Government
Delta Variant Surges; Masks Return to Broadview Municipal Offices
The face covering requirement is effective, Tuesday, August 3.
(Broadview, IL) – As the COVID19 Delta variant has surged in Cook County and the COVID case count in Broadview has spiked, the Village of Broadview is reimposing a mask mandate in all municipal buildings for both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals alike.
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson issued an executive order on Monday requiring face coverings for village employees and members of the public who work and enter village buildings until further notice. The requirement is effective, Tuesday, August 3.
“According to Centers for Disease Control data, the Delta variant is much more contagious, and it spreads more than twice as easily from one person to another compared to other strains,” said Thompson. “If fact, Cook County is now seeing “substantial” community transmission of COVID-19 and confirmed cases have jumped here in Broadview.”
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Broadview has witnessed a 120 percent increase in confirmed COVID19 cases in the last 14-days, according to the Cook County Public Health Department data. The Cook County data also notes that only 45.2% of the village’s residents are fully vaccinated compared to 49.3% of all suburban Cook residents and 56.4% statewide.
Illinois’ top public health official says until vaccination rate climbs, masks are the first line of defense against COVID variants.
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“Until more people are vaccinated, we join CDC in recommending everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask indoors in areas of substantial and high transmissions, and in K-12 schools,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “We know masking can help prevent transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.”
Mayor urges partially vaccinated and unvaccinated residents to get their vaccine “jabs.”
“Broadview has approximately 1,000 residents who have already had their first vaccine jab, but need their second, so we want them to follow up urgently with their next appointment,” said Thompson. “For everyone else, I beg you, please, get your vaccine jab, because 99% of COVID cases and hospitalizations are now among the unvaccinated.”
Vaccine walk-ins are welcome at all Cook County Public Health sites and a list of other vaccine sites is available at MyShotCookCounty.com.
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