Fayette’s COVID community level drops. See mask recommendations in Kentucky by county

COVID-19 community levels are somewhat improving across Kentucky, though a pocket of counties remain “high” under the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest update.

Fayette County is one of several where the community level dropped from the week prior. Fayette, with 130.9 reported new cases per 100,000 residents, is now at a medium level. The area’s COVID inpatient bed utilization is at 5.60%, per CDC data.

The federal agency rolled out COVID community levels by county in late February as a new means of guidance for local decision-makers and individuals. The levels are calculated based on new cases and hospitalizations, as well as hospital capacity. The format shifted masking guidance for the much of the country, initially relaxing recommendations for 70% of the population. Since then, even more U.S. counties are now considered at a community level where the public can go unmasked in indoor public spaces.

Those in high COVID-19 community level areas, ages 2 and older, should wear a mask in public, the CDC says.

Under the updates published Thursday night, nearby Scott and Clark counties sit at a high level, while Woodford and Jessamine are marked medium. Contiguous Madison and Bourbon counties are scored as low.

You can see each county’s community level, as of March 17, with the map below.

COVID community levels across Kentucky

Across the commonwealth, 25 counties are still at a high community level. That’s down from 32 the week prior and 65 the week of March 3. All the counties considered high are in central or eastern Kentucky. The state is one of relatively few in the U.S. with remaining counties at high COVID community levels coming off the winter’s omicron surge.

Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a pause on the state’s weekly, live COVID-19 updates, citing seven straight weeks of declining cases and a positivity rate below 5%.

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.