CDC: Monroe County COVID community transmission "substantial"

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Centers for Disease Control’s data tracker shows Monroe County with a “substantial” level of community transmission of the coronavirus.

The CDC recommends fully-vaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission based on emerging evidence on the Delta variant.

It is not yet known if or how this designation would impact mask guidance for Monroe county residents, businesses, camps, daycares, schools, etc.

The CDC recommends all unvaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor settings.

Rochesterians aren’t thrilled about the idea of returning to indoor mask-wearing.

"Well, if you’re on the fence for getting vaccinated and you see that they tell you to get vaccinated and then they tell you that you need to wear a mask again and you need to social distance, it’s like well what was the point in getting vaccinated originally or why would I want to if it’s the same thing if I’m vaccinated or unvaccinated?” said Marcus Williams of Rochester.

"In one sense it’s a little frustrating, but ultimately if that’s what we have to do to like keep numbers low, I’m fine with it. We did it before, we can do it again," said Alesa Wu of Rochester.

A spokesman for Monroe County said Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Mike Mendoza will review the COVID cases from the weekend before commenting.