Fully vaccinated individuals may go without a face covering in most places, with the exception of hospitals, clinics, congregate-care settings, airplanes and trains and buses, according to CDC guidance.

During the Pettis County COVID-19 Task Force meeting on Monday, July 12, health officials said, “Many people believe they are safe without a mask. The new variants make unvaccinated people at increased risk of infection. Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask when indoors or a crowd, particularly if the person has a chronic disease.”

Health officials add that fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine if exposed to a person with the virus. However, a person who tests positive for COVID-19 still must isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccine status.

There is a small number of fully vaccinated individuals who are testing positive.

The CDC update is posted on the Pettis County Health Center Facebook page or available at <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html>.