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"We must act now to protect ourselves, our loved <br /> ones and our community. If you are eligible to get <br /> a COVID-19 vaccine and have not yet done so, <br /> please do not wait any longer," said Dr. Chris <br /> Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa. "During <br /> July the number of hospitalized COVID-19 <br /> patients in our county increased 400%. Four out <br /> of five of the COVID patients we see are not <br /> vaccinated, even though only one out of five <br /> Contra Costa adults are not vaccinated." <br /> These health orders aim to reduce community <br /> transmission of COVID-19 and protect everyone. <br /> Health officials are very concerned by the <br /> substantial levels of community transmission now <br /> found across the Bay Area, especially among <br /> unvaccinated people. In part, this is due to the <br /> widespread COVID-19 Delta variant, which is <br /> substantially more transmissible than previous <br /> forms of the virus. Recent information from the <br /> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also <br /> indicates that even fully vaccinated individuals can <br /> in some cases spread the Delta variant to others, <br /> and so indoor use of face coverings provides an <br /> important added layer of protection. <br /> The new Health Orders require wearing a well- <br /> fitting mask indoors in public settings. Indoor <br /> settings, whether public or private, are higher risk <br /> for COVID-19 transmission, especially when you <br /> are with people you do not live with. Health <br /> officials also recommend that all employers make <br /> face coverings available to individuals entering <br /> their businesses, and businesses are required to <br /> implement the indoor face covering order. <br /> Today's Health Orders are consistent with <br /> guidance from the Centers for Disease Control <br /> and Prevention and the California Department of <br /> Public Health, which recommend that fully <br /> vaccinated individuals wear masks while in indoor <br /> public settings. Bay Area Health Officers will <br /> continue to monitor data, including increasing <br /> vaccination throughout the region, to determine <br /> when the Orders can be adjusted or lifted. <br /> For more information about COVID-19, and how <br /> to get a free vaccine near you, visit <br /> cchealth.org/coronavirus (/coronavirus/). <br />