The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidelines Friday, and continues to recommend universal indoor masking for areas with high transmission.
In Santa Barbara County and other areas with medium-level virus transmission, the CDC recommends higher-risk people continue wearing masks.
People who are more likely to become very sick with COVID-19 include older adults, people with certain medical conditions, and those who are pregnant or were recently pregnant, according to the CDC.
The community transmission levels are based on the numbers of new reported positive cases and COVID-19-positive hospitalizations. Both metrics have been declining substantially in Santa Barbara County since mid-January.
California and Santa Barbara County already lifted their universal mask mandates for public, indoor spaces.
Unvaccinated people are required to continue wearing masks, and public health orders specifically require universal masking on public transit, in healthcare facilities, and K-12 schools.
The state expects to reassess the school mask requirements as case rates continue to decline.
People who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 are less likely to become infected with the novel coronavirus, and less likely to become seriously ill, according to public health officials.
Santa Barbara County Reports Fewer Than 100 New Daily Cases
The county reported 99 new cases on Friday, which is the seventh day in a row Public Health has reported fewer than 100 daily positive cases.
Of the 810 new cases reported for the week ending Thursday, children were the age group with the highest number of cases, with 262, according to the Public Health Department.
The number of active cases has dropped 35% from the previous two-week average, and the number of COVID-19-positive hospital patients has dropped 22% from the previous two-week average.
There were 50 people hospitalized, including 11 being treated in intensive care units, on Friday.
No new deaths were reported.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
