SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state’s top epidemiologist is recommending that everyone wear a mask or face covering in crowded indoor places because of the rise of the COVID-19 delta variant — even if they have been vaccinated.

Dr. Scott Lindquist said today the state is seeing a “fifth wave” of the new coronavirus that is sending more people to the hospital.

The state saw almost 2,600 new cases reported for Wednesday, compared with 750 seven days earlier.

The state Department of Health reports that about 350 people statewide are hospitalized with COVID-19, which is roughly half the figure for earlier waves of the pandemic.