July Update

As you may know, the CDC revised its guidance on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, regarding the use of masks to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  In communities with growing caseloads, vaccinated and unvaccinated people are to return to masking in indoor public areas.  The concern is the Delta variant, which has become the dominant strain in the country, appears to be more highly transmissible.  In addition, it appears that those who are infected with this variant end up with a higher viral load.  In other words, when someone gets sick, they have more of the virus in their body.  And there is evidence that fully vaccinated people can have breakthrough infections of this variant.  When that happens, because there is more of the virus present, they may be able to transmit it to others.  This is different from the original strain of the coronavirus, which is not transmissible by people who are fully vaccinated.
 
So, what does this mean for CVL?  65 of the 92 counties in the state meet the definition of communities with growing caseloads.  Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the current CDC guidelines, we will be returning to a few of our previous safety protocols.  The main Lafayette office will return to restricted access to limit the number of people present at any one time, and so that we may screen all visitors for COVID symptoms.  Masks will again be required of everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, when social distancing cannot be maintained indoors in public settings.  This applies to the CVL offices and to our work in the community.
 
We realize this is a disappointing development.  Although we are all weary of this pandemic, we must continue to adapt and respond to the reality we face.  We urge everyone in the CVL family to do all they can to protect themselves, their families, and those we serve.  We will continue to monitor the situation and update you as appropriate.