The following health advisory has been issued for all of Allen County Ohio:

Allen County Public Health is issuing a Mask Advisory for Allen County, effective September 17, 2021. Everyone over the age of 2 years old is advised to wear a face mask, regardless of  vaccination status when: 

∙ In indoor public places 

∙ Outdoors in crowded settings 

Universal masking in schools, businesses, and social settings will help slow the spread of  COVID-19. 

K-12 Schools –Universal masking is advised for all students, staff, teachers and visitors.  Parents - please urge your children to wear a mask throughout the school day.  

Businesses – Universal masking is recommended for employees as well as patrons. 

Other agencies and organizations – Universal masking is recommended whenever people  gather indoors or in outdoor areas where people are close together. 

Allen County continues to meet the CDC definition for a high transmission community. The  rate per 100,000 continues to climb, from 530.5 on September 9 to 710.3 as of September  16. For comparison, one year ago, Allen County’s rate per 100,000 was 73.28; in June of  this year it was just 21.5. 

Allen County’s vaccination rate remains low at 36.2% fully vaccinated. Vaccines are safe  and effective and remain the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and  death from COVID-19. Too many people remain vulnerable to getting and spreading  COVID-19. Vaccination is highly recommended for everyone 12 years old and over.  

The Delta virus is spreading in our community. What happens in our community also  happens in our schools and businesses. The Delta variant is the most contagious variant yet. Children under 12 years old are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Currently,  approximately 20% Allen County COVID-19 cases are occurring in children under 18 years  old. We need children healthy enough to maintain in-person learning and employees  healthy enough to maintain our businesses.  

No vaccine is 100% effective. Layers of protection offer the best way to slow the spread of  the virus that causes COVID-19. We know masking is an effective tool to prevent the  spread of viruses.  

Everyone needs to do their part to protect Allen County. 

*Universal masking means that everyone who is able to should wear a mask.