Friday, March 4th, 2022
CDC: Mercer County has low COVID-19 level
By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - Mercer County currently has a low COVID-19 community level, formerly called transmission level, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mercer County also has a per capita rate of 48.58 cases per 100,000 people, CDC information shows.
The CDC recently announced changes to how COVID-19 community transmission levels are determined, according to a Mercer County Health District news release.
The CDC noted with the high levels of vaccination and high levels of population immunity from both vaccination and infections, the risk of medically significant disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 is greatly reduced for most people.
The CDC's updated framework used to determine COVID-19 community levels will include new COVID-19 hospitalizations, percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and new COVID-19 cases. These metrics will be used to determine whether a community has a high, medium or low level of COVID-19.
A low level means there is a limited impact on the healthcare system and low amounts of severe disease in the community, according to the release. Community members should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and get tested if exposed to the virus or have symptoms.
A medium level means the community is experiencing severe disease and is starting to see more impact on the healthcare system, officials said in the release.
In addition to staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and getting tested if exposed to the virus or have symptoms, those at high risk for severe illness should talk to his or her healthcare provider about wearing a mask and taking other precautions, the release reads.
A high level indicates a high number of people are experiencing severe disease and there is a high potential for healthcare systems strains, the release continues.
When the level is high, community members are asked to wear masks indoors in public, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and get tested if exposed to the virus or if they have symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness, according to the release.
At all levels, people may choose to wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk, officials said in the release. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
For more information regarding COVID-19 community levels, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html.
