Kentucky counties fall out of ‘high’ COVID community level, these 6 remain at ‘medium’

For the first time since the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched its COVID community level scoring method in February, all Kentucky counties ranked either “low” or “medium” in the federal agency’s weekly update.

Last week, 10 counties were classified as “high” — areas where federal officials recommend masking in public, indoor places.

As of Thursday, six Kentucky counties are ranked at a medium COVID community level: Harrison, Robertson, Laurel, Clay, Whitley and Knox. That’s a drop for Laurel and Whitley counties, which ranked high March 24.

The rest of the commonwealth’s counties are ranked low.

You can explore the county where you live and work in the interactive map below.

The CDC updates the classification system each Thursday and scores U.S. counties by taking into account new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, along with hospital bed utilization.

Kentucky’s trend of fewer counties classified as high each week is mirrored in much of the U.S. as total cases, deaths and hospitalizations trend downward across the country.

According to the CDC, as of Thursday, COVID had killed 977,495 individuals in the U.S. The seven-day rolling average for COVID deaths in Kentucky was three as of March 30.

Where do I need to wear a mask in Kentucky?

With all of the commonwealth’s counties ranked either low or medium as of March 31, the CDC does not recommend universal masking anywhere the state.

That guidance differs for individuals considered at higher risk, who should discuss masking and other precautions with their doctor if they are in areas scored medium.

Additionally, the federal health agency reminds the public that individuals can mask up at any time, regardless of community level. Those with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to the virus should wear a mask in public.

What about a new variant?

The BA.2 subvariant of omicron, sometimes called stealth omicron, now accounts for the bulk of positive cases in the U.S. It is the dominant variant worldwide and is more transmissible than other omicron variants, already considered highly contagious.

Tuesday, the U.S Food and Drug Administration approved a second booster shot for those older then age 50 and some immunocompromised individuals.

The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department reported it would offer the booster to the public for free once CDC and state approval and guidance was handed down.

This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 2:17 PM.