Where are COVID community levels improving in Kentucky? See mask guidance by county

The number of Kentucky counties considered high COVID-19 communities was halved over the past week, though Fayette County remains in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s highest tier.

Thursday night, the CDC released updated COVID-19 community levels, a new means to issue guidance by classifying areas as low, medium or high. The levels are based on new cases and hospitalizations, as well as hospital capacity. In the commonwealth, 32 counties are considered high as of Thursday, a reduction from 65 under the previous levels released March 3.

Changes at a glance

Fayette’s level remains unchanged from a week ago, now reporting 100.57 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people. Under the “high” classification, the CDC recommends masking in indoor public places in the area.

Neighboring Bourbon County dropped from a high level last week to a low as of Thursday, while Madison County dropped from medium to low over the same period.

Like last week, many of the counties in the state considered high level are in the eastern region. The stretch is part of a larger cluster of high community levels that also includes a number of counties in West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.

COVID-19 across Kentucky

Amid six weeks of declining metrics, Gov. Andy Beshear and state health officials announced March 7 the state would ease public reporting on COVID, releasing data weekly, rather than each day.

The move came the same week Lexington marked the second anniversary of the pandemic, which has killed at least 564 individuals in Fayette County and more than 14,000 across the state.

Where do I need to wear a mask in Kentucky?

According to the CDC, those in areas with low community level should:

• Ensure they are fully vaccinated.
• Get tested if they have symptoms.

Those in areas of medium community level should:

• Ensure they are fully vaccinated.
• Get tested if they have symptoms.
• If at high risk for severe illness, talk to doctor about masking and other precautions.

Those in areas of high community level should:

• Wear a mask in public.
• Ensure they are fully vaccinated.
• Get tested if they have symptoms.
• If at high risk for severe illness, take additional precautions.

The federal agency also reminds individuals they can mask at any time, and those with symptoms, who have tested positive or have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 should wear a mask in public regardless of community level.