Franklin County Public Health Services Notice to Public

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced new guidance on masking and COVID-19 Community Levels. The updated metrics provide a picture of disease and strain on the health care system for new hospitalizations, current hospital bed use by Covid patients or capacity and new COVID-19 cases.

Last week Governor Hochul announced effective March 2nd, the statewide masking requirements for K-12 schools and children 2+ in childcare settings will end.

Franklin County Public Health Services (FCPHS) supports the Governor’s lifting of the statewide masking requirement for K-12 schools and children 2+ in childcare settings.

The CDC county community metric is rated high for Franklin County. Schools may determine the need for mask requirements in their districts.

The county will lift the mask mandate as:

New Covid cases are trending downward;

Cases are predominantly in congregate settings;

Vaccination rates continue to increase;

Pediatric hospitalizations are low;

Community immunity continues;

Wastewater surveillance is occurring;

The hospitals and healthcare system are stable and intact;

Schools are able to conduct Covid screening, surveillance and diagnostic testing for students, staff and teachers;

Schools have additional layers of prevention implemented.

Parents may continue to send their children to school wearing masks.

People may wear a mask at any time and should if immunocompromised or at risk for severe illness.

FCPHS continues to recommend a person’s choice to:

*Wear a mask indoors in public

*Stay up to date on Covid-19 vaccines

*Get tested if you have symptoms

*People with symptoms, positive test or exposure to someone with Covid-19 should wear a mask

*People with symptoms and have a positive test should remain at home and in isolation and quarantine

*The mask should be well-fitting and snug around the face and nose.

FCPHS will rigorously evaluate the health of residents and hospitalizations to determine need for more layered guidelines to protect those at high risk of illness, protect hospitals and the healthcare system.