On July 27, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommendations regarding mask wearing. The CDC now recommends that everyone, even vaccinated individuals, should wear a mask in public indoor settings when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmissions of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, new data reveal that the Delta variant is more contagious than previous versions of COVID-19. Vaccinated people can get breakthrough infections of the Delta variant and may be contagious However, vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of total transmissions and the COVID-19 vaccine remains the most effective means to achieve control of the pandemic. Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalization, and death, as well as helping to reduce the spread of the virus in communities.

"I cannot stress enough how important it is to take the Delta variant seriously. Like the rest of the state, our numbers are rising. But unique to Norman and Stillwater, we are about to have thousands of residents return to our community," said Mayor Breea Clark. "I urge all Norman residents to follow the CDC guidelines, mask up, and get vaccinated." 

Data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health indicate that 316 new cases were reported in Cleveland County in the past week, an increase of 52.3% from the previous week. Of those cases, 136 of which were in Norman. As of July 28, 35.4% of Norman residents are fully vaccinated and 33.9% have had at least one dose.

For additional details, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus.