masks

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says masks and vaccinations are still important tools to fight COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases are the lowest they have been in Cuyahoga County in months, and many schools and businesses are no longer requiring masks. But for people with compromised immune systems, this is a difficult environment to navigate.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says there's good news and bad news when you look at the current COVID situation in Ohio.

COVID-19 cases are drastically lower in Cuyahoga County compared with the record-breaking surge the area saw over the holidays, but that doesn't mean we can take our masks off yet.

Despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio, the masking policies still vary among school districts.

Northeast Ohio students start returning to school this week, just as the delta variant has turned the state into a COVID-19 hotspot. Whether students will be required to wear masks in the classroom depends on which district they attend.

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District welcomed students into the classroom full-time on Monday, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started. For many parents and guardians who dropped off students after more than a year of remote learning, it was exciting to see their children greet old friends and teachers. However, with COVID-19 and the Delta variant looming, their joy and excitement was expressed through a twinkle in their eye, rather than a smile on their face, as they adhere to CMSD’s mask policy for all students, staff and visitors.

Researchers discuss how our attitudes and behaviors are changing with masks as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

As COVID-19 spread is increasing, Giant Eagle this week will start asking customers to wear masks again and requiring all employees wear masks, regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. The Pennsylvania-based grocery store chain announced in a statement that starting Wednesday, all team members will need to wear face coverings, even if they’re vaccinated. And on Friday, Giant Eagle will strongly suggest customers wear masks when they enter the store. Employees will provide masks for people who don’t have one.

The university's new guidance follows new recommendations from the CDC, encouraging masks to be worn in areas of high COVID-19 spread.