As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, the Butler Health System's chief medical officer said he expects to see another increase in cases after the 2021-22 school year begins.

During its first “Business and Community Leader Call” held since the pandemic began, health system officials said the proximity of staff and students combined with vaccine hesitancy, the spread of the Delta variant and no requirement to wear face masks in schools will lead to an increase in cases after classes begin.

“I expect to see a rise in the number of cases,” said Dr. David Rottinghaus, chief medical office and physician network president at BHS, said Monday during the remote business and community leader call.

COVID is a respiratory disease spread by gathering in proximity, he said.

Dr. John Love, director of infectious disease at BHS, said he is worried that cases stemming from contact at schools will begin showing up a month after the school year beings.

He said the average person who contracts the Delta variant infects six other people, and the average person with the typical strain of COVID infects two other people.

Dr. Michael Fiorina, vice president of medical education at BHS, said face masks don't stop the spread of the disease, but they provide a layer of protection.

“Masking does help prevent the spread,” Fiorina said.

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