ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website (cdc.gov) now provides county level COVID-19 risk assessments. The CDC has adjusted recommendations for wearing face masks based on local COVID-19 data.

COVID-19 Community Levels are a new tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.   

As of Feb. 27, most South Central Florida Counties were at “medium” risk according to the CDC. Collier, Glades, Hendry, Martin Okeechobee, and Palm Beach Counties are all at medium risk.

CDC recommendations for residents of counties at medium risk:

• If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should wear a mask and take other precautions.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

Four nearby counties – Hardee County, Highlands County, Lee County and Osceola County – are at “high” risk according to the CDC.

CDC recommendations for those in counties at high risk:

• Wear a mask indoors in public.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk of severe illness.

Indian River County is at “low” risk, according to the CDC.

CDC recommendations for those in counties at low risk:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

According to the CDC, some people may be more comfortable continuing to wear masks in  public areas. Consult your doctor for recommendations based on your  own health.