Health Officer Dr. Phil Bondurant strongly advises community to wear masks and engage in other precautions due to spread of Omicron variant

Summit County, Utah (January 4, 2022) — The Summit County Health Department issued a formal public health advisory regarding the record-breaking transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The advisory, which is in effect through January 31, 2022, strongly encourages people who live and work in Summit County to engage in several precautions known to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID:

  • Wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status, whenever indoors in public. Masks should always cover the nose and mouth, and the advisory notes that higher-quality masks, such as KN95s or KF94s, may offer additional protection.
  • Stay home if they are exhibiting any symptoms of illness—regardless of vaccination status or past infection—and get tested for COVID.
  • Follow current guidance on isolation and quarantine.
  • Get vaccinated and (if eligible) boosted.
  • Avoid all large gatherings if they are not vaccinated and (if applicable) boosted.

The full advisory can be read here.

The COVID vaccines are extremely effective at preventing serious illness and death. Because vaccine efficacy can wane over time, a booster dose is important to maintain protection.

Due to the CDC’s new, shorter 5-day quarantine and isolation recommendation, masking is also now more important than ever.

“This surge is one of the most critical times we’ve faced in Summit County over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Bondurant said. “We are seeing record high case numbers. While hospitalizations still remain the number one indicator, I implore our residents and visitors to take action to reduce transmission and the impacts of the Omicron variant. The winter season is important to Summit County for many reasons and we should all commit to doing what we can to protect those who live in, work and visit Summit County. We will continue to evaluate current trends as we look at the best options to get past this surge.”