(Monday, Aug. 19) County health officials are recommending the wearing of masks in crowded indoor settings in response to a recent surge in COVID-19 infections.

Contra Costa Health (CCH) made the masking recommendation, particularly for those at high risk of serious illness if infected, in an Aug. 6 news release.

The recommendation is not a health order, CCH said, and “aligns with existing state requirements and recent advice issued in neighboring counties.”

In issuing the recommendation, CCH cited state lab testing of wastewater samples from the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) showing that concentrations of COVID-19 more than quadrupled from May 9 to July 9.

“Face masks are an effective tool to reduce the spread of the virus, particularly for those who are at risk for serious illness when there is evidence of elevated COVID-19 activity in the community,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County’s health officer, in the news release. “This is one of those times. Our health system is not seriously impacted by COVID currently, and our goal is to keep it that way.”