The Douglas County Commission will consider a new Emergency Public Health Order during its meeting on Wednesday. The new order would require individuals to wear face coverings at indoor gatherings in which 500 or more individuals are in attendance in a single space, such as a concert, sporting event, trade show or convention. This, in response to the spike in COVID cases in recent weeks. As of Friday, Douglas County reported 4,157 active cases, nearly seven times higher than a year ago.
If approved by the commission, the Health Order would start Thursday and remain in effect until March 9, unless otherwise rescinded or modified by County Commissioners. County Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Marcellino and Deputy County Health Officer and Infectious Disease Specialist at LMH Health, Dr. Jennifer Schrimsher, continue to strongly encourage individuals to wear masks in crowded spaces to help prevent spread of COVID 19. Marcellino says “masks are a tool that we can use to help prevent spread of COVID and it’s especially important to wear them in large crowds where people are likely coming from other communities”.
