Philadelphia health officials are urging residents, including those fully vaccinated, to go back to wearing masks in public indoor spaces as the number of new coronavirus cases in the city is growing again due to the highly contagious Delta variant. The new guidance aims to protect children under 12 years old who are not yet eligible for COVID vaccines, according to acting Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole.

There has been a “small but disturbing” increase in coronavirus  cases and hospitalizations among children in Philadelphia, according to Bettigole. The number of new COVID-19 cases overall has doubled in the city over the past couple of weeks.

Although the number of new coronavirus cases has been growing, it is still not high enough to reintroduce the mask mandate, which would again make wearing masks or facial coverings a requirement. Public health officials will continue monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the city and are also urging all unvaccinated adults and youth over 12 to get fully vaccinated.

As of Thursday, July 22, 60.8 percent of adults in Philadelphia were fully vaccinated.