COVID-19 CDC Update

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new framework to monitor the level of COVID-19 in communities that examines hospitalizations and hospital capacity, as well as cases.

This new approach focuses on preventing hospitals and health care system from being overwhelmed. It also offers direction for prevention efforts to protect people at high risk for severe illness.

The new COVID-19 Community Level mapping, which will be updated weekly, will inform CDC recommendations on prevention measures, such as masking and testing. Communities will be categorized as:

• Low—Green: Residents in these counties should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.

• Medium—Yellow:  Residents who are at high risk for severe illness in these counties should talk to their health care providers about when they need to wear a mask and take other precautions. These residents should also stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.

• High—Orange: Residents in these counties should wear a mask indoors in public; stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for residents who are at high risk for severe illness.

You can visit the page here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

New London county, along with all other Connecticut counties—except for Middlesex County—are listed in the Low/Green category. It’s important to note that people with symptoms or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Today’s CDC updates marks a turning point in the pandemic. We have faced challenging times together, and our community has shown its strength through the many ways we found to take care of one another. As we enter a new phase of this pandemic, we will remain monitoring and planning so we can be prepared for any future surges of the virus.

Thank you Stonington.