They now recommend everyone, whether vaccinated or not, wear masks when indoors in public places where transmission levels are "high" or "substantial." As of Wednesday, that means no changes in guidance for the Quad Cities.
Amy Thoreson, Director of the Scott County Health Department, says the current level of COVID-19 transmission is "moderate" in Scott, Rock Island, and most other counties in the region.
The CDC tracker says Muscatine and Carroll counties' transmission levels are "high," while the levels in Bureau and Henry Counties in Illinois are a step lower at "substantial."
More people are now being treated for the coronavirus infection in Quad Cities hospitals compared to the past few weeks. For example, the Rock Island County Health Department reports nine residents are hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to four just two days ago. And the majority of the new patients have not been vaccinated.
Both county health departments strongly encourage those who are eligible to be vaccinated to do so. And free vaccinations are widely available through the health departments, doctors offices, and pharmacies.