(RECOMMENDATIONS, NOT ORDERS)
These are not orders and will not be enforced. They are our recommendations. They are intended to continue progress at reducing the number of COVID-19 cases in the county. Our case rates remain higher than at any point prior to mid-October last year. Vaccinations are extremely helpful but only 47% of Geauga County residents are fully vaccinated at this time and efficacy drops over time.
Vaccination:
•Geauga Public Health recommends that all people 12+ years of age get vaccinated to prevent the more severe outcomes of getting COVID-19 unless it is medically contraindicated.
•You are fully vaccinated only if it has been at least 2 weeks since your final dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.
If you are not fully vaccinated:
•People who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask when around non-household members unless there is a physical or mental health contraindication.
•Maintain >6ft of distance from non-household members wherever feasible. A minimum of 3ft is acceptable where 6ft is not possible, e.g. in a classroom.
•Quarantine of at least 10 days following exposure to a known case. Quarantine may end if it has been 10 days AND at least 24 hours with no symptoms.
•If the exposed person had been diagnosed by a clinician as having COVID-19 in the past, quarantine does not need to occur if the exposure occurred less than 90 days following recovery from the previous diagnosis. Exposure beyond 90 days since recovery should result in a quarantine period as described.
If you are fully vaccinated:
•Please continue to wear a mask when in crowded environments if possible.
•The vaccine is very effective but it is not 100%. It is estimated to be effective for all but 1 in 20 (95%) of those who receive it. In crowds, we can assume that some who are vaccinated may not be protected as a result.
•It is impossible to know who is vaccinated and who is not . We can expect some commonality between those who refuse to wear masks and those who do not want to get vaccinated.
•The immunity gained by the vaccine wanes over time and researchers are not yet sure how long immunity lasts.
•Quarantine of at least 10 days following exposure to a known case. Quarantine may end if it has been 10 days AND at least 24 hours with no symptoms.
•If the exposed person had been fully vaccinated within the last 6 months, quarantine does not need to occur.
•If the exposed person had been fully vaccinated but it has been more than 6 months earlier, quarantine should occur .
Additional guidance for schools:
•Masks are recommended for unvaccinated students if they are developmentally mature enough to do so and have no physical or mental health issues that would contraindicate their use. Physical environment should also be considered. For example, if a room is hot and lacking circulation, masks may be removed; if spacing is much greater than 6ft, masks may be removed; etc.
•Students choosing to wear masks outside should always be made comfortable to do so.
•Circulating air is better than stagnant air but be sure drafts are not pointed directly at individuals.
•Wellness/temperature checks are recommended but may occur at home prior to departing for school.
•Physical barriers are not required but may help if continued use is feasible.
•Hand hygiene is always recommended.
•Distancing of at least 3ft in the classroom is recommended though greater distances provide greater protection.
•Bus seating should be spaced as much as possible but should not interfere with the ability to transport students to/from school.
Recommendations will be updated when we see that a minimum of 70% of the total county population are fully vaccinated or when we experience a two-week county COVID-19 incidence rate of less than 50/100,000 population for 14 consecutive days .