Ohio University is reinstating its inner mask mandate Monday.
The mask mandate will go into effect because Athens County is ranked as a top point of transmission in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s newest COVID-19 knowledge tracking tool, according to the university’s website.
Ohio University is the first public university in Ohio to reinstate a mask mandate after schools and universities abandoned their mask mandates in the spring. OU categories begin on August 22.
The university’s mask mandate will fall when COVID-19 transmission in Athens County drops to medium.
More COVID-19 News: Ohio Reports 29,876 New COVID-19 Cases Last Week
Masks will be recommended for scheduled categories and course-related activities when the transmission point is average. Masks will be optional when the COVID-19 transmission point is low in Athens County.
Based on CDC network degrees and COVID-19 prevention, the Athens campus is lately at a higher level of the COVID-19 network. As of August 1, 2022, masks are mandatory in all indoor spaces on campus. Visit https://t. co /iTVeDvjuxF for more información. pic. twitter. com/b59POxfKju
The new BA. 5 variant is the most contagious to date and Ohio reported 29,876 new cases of COVID-19 last week. Athens County has a case rate of 319. 33 consistent with 100,000 residents and 11 new COVID-19 admissions consistent with 100,000 residents. In the county, 6. 6 of the hospital beds are used for COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC.
Franklin County is also classified as a transmission peak according to the CDC, public fitness agencies in Columbus and Franklin counties issued indoor mask wearing advisories last week.
Ohio State University requires masks, University spokesman Ben Johnson said in an email.
“The university’s optional mask policy remains in place on our school campuses,” Johnson said in an email. “As always, the university’s reaction to COVID-19 is likely to be repositioned based on the state of the pandemic and the recommendation of federal, state and local authorities. “authorities. “
Megan Henry is a reporter for Columbus Dispatch K-12. Contact her at mhenry@dispatch. com or (614) 559-1758. Follow her on Twitter @megankhenry. Register here to receive your school newsletter.