20+ New York Counties Have High Community Levels For COVID-19

COVID-19 positive levels continue to grow across New York and the CDC has now named over 20 different New York counties as High Community levels for the positive rates of COVID-19.

The CDC has recommended that people living in these counties should be wearing masks anytime they are out in public to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

As of April 21st, there are 23 counties in New York State that the CDC now considers to be high-level communities.

The list includes:

• Albany County
• Broome County
• Cayuga County
• Chemung County
• Clinton County
• Erie County
• Herkimer County
• Madison County
• Monroe County
• Niagara County
• Oneida County
• Onondaga County
• Ontario County
• Orleans County
• Oswego County
• Rensselaer County
• Schuyler County
• Seneca County
• St. Lawrence County
• Steuben County
• Tioga County
• Wayne County
• Yates County

Two weeks ago there were only three counties that were considered to be at the High level for COVID-19.

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Back in February, the CDC recommended that areas in the high level should have their residents wear masks. The CDC's masking recommendations are based on three factors — Covid hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and new Covid cases.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul lifted the mask mandate for indoor businesses and dining in February and in March most counties in the state were at a low level that they didn't meet the CDC guideline for mask recommendation.

Masks are still required to be worn across the state at health care facilities, nursing homes, courts, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, public transportation, ride-sharing services, and airport buildings.

The CDC updates the community level map every Thursday. You can see the latest one HERE.