As of midnight Wednesday there will be no longer a mask mandate in most Cobb County government buildings.
The county announced Tuesday that a COVID-19 emergency declaration issued by Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid would expire, along with a mask mandate.
The mandate included all indoor county facilities, including libraries.
However, a mask mandate will still be in place at county courthouse buildings, according to county spokesman Ross Cavitt.
He quoted Cupid in statement saying that “although the transmission levels of COVID-19 are still considered high, Public Health officials say they are declining along with the number of newly reported cases and the test positivity rate. One of my biggest concerns was the effect on our local hospitals, but WellStar reports low levels of COVID cases and they recently transitioned to “green” status, meaning that beds are vacant and visitors are again allowed in the hospital.”
Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris imposed the mask mandate in August, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 was spreading rapidly.
Cupid declared a 30-day state of emergency in the county shortly after that, then extended it twice, then renewed it twice, with the current order set to expire Nov. 16.
During that time, attendance was limited at public meetings, including commissioners meetings.
As of Tuesday 14-day average of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in Cobb County is 112. An average of 100 or higher is considered a high rate of transmission.
The test positivity rate in Cobb County is 4.33 percent, under the 5 percent threshold cited by public health officials as a concern.
Citizens using Cobb County buildings are still encouraged to wear masks, and the county statement said that “The Chairwoman indicated she would remain in contact with Public Health officials who remain concerned that colder weather and the holidays could reignite a surge.”
Related stories
- Cobb public health director: County ‘on the downslope’ of Delta surge
- Cobb extends paid leave to vaccinated county employees
- Cobb imposes mask mandate at county buildings
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Until we reach “low”, I’ll be wearing a mask when in public or around others outside my home.
Common sense.