The CDC on Tuesday said there is now a substantial level of coronavirus transmission in Westmoreland County, a designation that puts indoor mask requirements back under consideration for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people under updated federal guidelines.

But, county leaders said no mandates have as yet been issued.

“At this time I am unaware of mask recommendation changes by national medical bodies. I will study the guidelines soon and discuss with my colleagues, but presently I’m unaware of any changes to mask policies for county government,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

After a spring that saw coronavirus case numbers tumble, including some days where none were reported, Westmoreland County, like much of the state, has seen totals increase over the last week. More than 200 new cases have been reported over the last seven days, including 32 on Tuesday.

The CDC last week updated its guidelines to call for the vaccinated and unvaccinated to wear masks indoors in areas of substantial virus transmission. Until Tuesday afternoon, Westmoreland County had been at a moderate level of transmission. It now joins most other counties in southwestern Pennsylvania with substantial transmission. Just Armstrong, Fayette and Greene counties remain with moderate transmission levels late Tuesday afternoon.

Masks had been required at the courthouse for most of the last year, but as vaccination levels increased this spring most staff and visitors shed face coverings. Officially, the county’s mask policy mirrored CDC guidelines and required face coverings for unvaccinated employees and visitors.

Neither staff nor visitors are required to show proof of vaccination before entering the courthouse.

According to the CDC, more than half of Westmoreland County residents age 12 and older are fully vaccinated for the coronavirus. The CDC said 62.3% of the county’s 12 and older population have received at least one vaccine dose.

Meanwhile, no changes to the county’s masking requirements were made on Tuesday.

Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher referred all mask-related questions to the county solicitor. Commissioner Sean Kertes did not respond to a request for comment.

Common Pleas Court President Judge Rita Hathaway said a potential update to the masking policy for the court system will be discussed Wednesday.

“We’ll certainly take a look at it,” Hathaway said.

Criminal trials are scheduled to begin on Monday, just a month after court officials rescinded most coronavirus restrictions such as social distancing in courtrooms. A decision as to whether to reinstitute those precautions will be explored, she said.

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