Philadelphia’s COVID-19 mask mandate could go back into effect: Officials

“The Metropolis’s COVID Response Ranges are set to maneuver to Degree 2: Masks Precautions ought to the variety of instances proceed rising like they’ve been. The Well being Division is aware of that this feels fast, however we need to head off this wave earlier than it will get going,” a spokesperson mentioned.

As medical doctors predicted, COVID-19 case numbers are ticking again up resulting from a speedy unfold of the newest omicron variant BA.2.

Consultants additionally say the numbers are additionally heading within the fallacious course in Montgomery County.

SEE ALSO: Philadelphia recommends masking indoors resulting from uptick in COVID instances

“The check positivity numbers are rising in Montgomery County and Philadelphia Metropolis. The variety of instances per day are rising a bit bit,” mentioned Dr. Darren Mareiniss, with Einstein Medical Middle’s Division of Emergency Medication.

Medical doctors say the BA.2 variant is extra infectious than the primary omicron pressure however is not extra lethal. In addition they say this new variant makes up for 60% of infections in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

However Mareiniss mentioned it isn’t time to panic.

“I might say that these numbers are a rise however they’re definitely nothing like what we noticed in late December and early January,” he mentioned. “I might say the more than likely clarification is a combo of the brand new variant, which is 50% extra infectious, and the truth that persons are stopping mitigation measures.”

As COVID-19 precautions fluctuate, Mareiniss mentioned everybody wants to recollect, that this can be a lengthy haul.

“Pandemics happen with native epidemics. Native surges up and down and as soon as the wave goes down we will have much less warning,” he mentioned.