On July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant currently circulating in the United States to include:
- Added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
- Added information that fully vaccinated people might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they are immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease from COVID-19, or if they have someone in their household who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, or not fully vaccinated.
- Added a recommendation for fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
- A recommendation for universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.