Detroit Health Officials Urging Residents To Wear A Mask Indoors

DETROIT — The City of Detroit is urging its residents to wear a mask indoors, regardless of their vaccination status due to the city's high COVID-19 transmission level, the city said in a news release.

As of Monday, Detroit has experienced 116.5 new weekly cases per 100,000 residents, which has increased its transmission level from "substantial" to "high."

In addition, the Delta variant has accounted for more than 97.7% of new COVID-19 cases in Detroit, which may be more than twice as transmissible as the original strain of COVID-19.

"Due to the high community transmission, it is now more important than ever to wear your mask in public indoor settings. Detroit has come a long way and we don’t want to go back. We are asking residents to get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and get vaccinated," Denise Fair said, the Detroit Health Department Chief Public Health Officer. "These are public health emergency measures that will limit hospitalization and death."

Live in Detroit? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

Approximately 373,000 Detroit residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, which amounts to 43.9%.

Transmissibility is considered "high" when there are 100 or more weekly new cases per 100,000 individuals. The CDC recommends that individuals in regions with a “high” community transmission level wear masks at all public indoor settings, even if fully vaccinated.