Marc Siegel on vaccine requirements for government workers and the surge in Delta variant cases.

The CDC is expected to advise fully vaccinated Americans to resume wearing masks while indoors in certain public settings amid a rise in COVID-19 cases largely due to the delta variant.

The delta variant, which was first identified in India, is considered highly transmissible and now accounts for upwards of 83% of cases in the U.S. .

Rochelle Walensky recently began referring to the surge in cases as a pandemic among the unvaccinated, but for those returning to wearing masks a former FDA official suggested certain types of face coverings may offer better protection against the infectious variant. .

The agency recommends essential workers and workers who routinely wore respirators before the pandemic continue wearing N95 respirators, and that as they become available they can be worn in non-health care settings. 

The CDC also has not issued guidance that indicates certain masks may offer better protection against the variant, and instead suggests choosing a mask with two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric that completely cover the nose and mouth