OHIO — With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updating its masking guidance nationwide Friday, residents of most Ohio counties are not being advised to wear a face covering while in indoor public settings.
While previous guidance only factored a county’s COVID-19 case rate, the CDC’s new recommendations account for local hospitalizations. The CDC urges areas with high levels of COVID-19 to continue masking.
The CDC advises residents of the following counties to mask while in public:
- Champaign
- Clark
- Gallia
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Meigs
- Morgan
- Lawrence
- Logan
- Pike
- Ross
- Scioto
- Van Wert
- Washington
Ohio counties not listed above have either low or medium levels of COVID-19, and therefore not being urged to mask, according to the CDC.
The state has seen a significant decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the last six weeks, according to Ohio Hospital Association data. As of Friday, Ohio hospitals had 1,202 COVID-19 patients, down from a peak of 6,729 patients Jan. 11. All eight of the Ohio Hospital Association’s regions have seen a significant decline in COVID-19 cases.
No matter the location, the CDC is still encouraging the public to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Layered prevention strategies — like staying up to date on vaccines, screening testing, ventilation and wearing masks — can help limit severe disease and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system,” the CDC said. “CDC recommends using county COVID-19 Community Levels to help determine which COVID-19 prevention measures to use for individuals and communities.”
