PROVIDENCE – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday listed the COVID-19 threat level in two Rhode Island counties, Kent County and Providence County, as high.
Threat levels are determined in part by case rates and hospital admissions per 100,000 people.
Rhode Island’s three other counties, Bristol County, Newport County and Washington County, remain at medium threat level.
The CDC recommends that those in high-risk counties get tested and wear masks while in crowded, indoor public settings. The agency recommends those in medium-risk counties should consider self-testing and wearing a mask when around those who are at high risk for getting sick.
The Rhode Island Department of Health will resume reporting confirmed weekly COVID cases across the state on Jan. 5.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Rhode Island increased by 1,775 from Dec. 11-17, with eight new deaths, the R.I. Department of Health said in its last report on Dec 22.
There were 168 new cases per 100,000 persons reported in Rhode Island from Dec. 11-17.
So in other words, more than half the State is at risk for Covid-19.