While the state's eligible population for vaccinations has expanded to anyone 5 and older, the state's COVID numbers remain high, with nearly 7,000 new cases reported over the weekend and Monday.

This marks the a return of a surge that dates back to July. State health officials say some of that is because people are not being as careful as they should be, especially with the Delta variant. Kris Ehresmann, the state's infectious disease coordinator, says vaccines are very effective, but that vaccinated people should not let their guard down and can still spread the virus.

"We're seeing that people who are unvaccinated are 15 times more likely to be hospitalized or die than someone who is vaccinated, so there's definitley protection. But with delta, we know that individuals who develop illness can also shed or spread illness."

Ehresmann recommends those who are vaccinated still take precautions, including wearing masks in public indoor spaces.