Health officials in Columbus and Franklin County are recommending we wear masks in public again for the first time since rescinding mandates more than four months ago.
Driving the news: This is the first time Franklin County has had a "high" COVID-19 community level on a new CDC data tracker launched in March, triggered by rising community spread and hospitalizations.
- More than half of Ohio counties are also in that category.
By the numbers: 1,155 Ohioans were hospitalized Sunday, one of our highest numbers since the tail end of the first Omicron strain's wintertime peak.
The big picture: A highly contagious Omicron subvariant more capable of breaking through vaccines and reinfecting people is now the dominant strain in the U.S., Axios' Tina Reed writes.
What we're watching: With widespread COVID fatigue, we can't help but question how many people are willing to follow a recommendation.
- Getting fully vaccinated and boosted will help keep your symptoms as mild as possible and greatly reduce your risk of hospitalization.
- Find a vaccine near you.
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