The University of Toledo has lifted its recommendation that individuals wear masks indoors on campus after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the county’s COVID-19 alert level to medium.
The update from CDC, made Thursday, June 9, reflects a decrease in the number of newly documented COVID-19 cases in Lucas County over the past week.
Lucas County had been in CDC’s high, or red, category since May 26. In line with CDC guidance for counties under a high alert level, UToledo strongly recommended individuals wear masks while indoors on campus.
Individuals can find more information on CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels and search for their county’s current level on the CDC website.
It is important to note this update does not apply to UToledo’s clinical healthcare settings. The University of Toledo Medical Center and other University clinical sites continue to require that all employees and visitors wear masks.
Though local documented case numbers have decreased recently, COVID-19 continues to circulate. Local hospitalizations are up slightly. The University recognizes some members of our community may choose to continue wearing a mask while on campus. Those decisions will be supported and respected.
The University will continue to follow CDC guidance on face coverings and strongly recommend individuals wear masks indoors if Lucas County returns to the high alert level in the future.
The University remains committed to monitoring the situation and providing timely updates to its pandemic response as necessary.
