Orange County officials are strongly recommending that everyone wear masks in all public spaces.

The move comes as coronavirus cases continue to rise, including among children.

Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman says cases across the county have jumped 115% in a week.

She says most of the cases are the delta variant and are infecting unvaccinated people and children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is classifying the county’s transmission as “high risk.”

The new public health alert advises everyone regardless of whether they are vaccinated to wear masks indoors.

“We are seeing about a quarter of our new patients in the pediatric population, 18 years and under,” Gelman says. “Clearly the conversation has to include more than just hospitalizations and immediately, acute complications.”

The state education department is also suggesting masks be worn in schools following the CDC guidance.

Gelman says new cases seem to largely be due to summer travel and household infections.