Map: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Last updated July 7, 2022)
HOUSTON - Under the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines released earlier this year, many Americans without underlying health concerns were able to take a break from wearing a mask for several months.
Now, according to those same guidelines, people in many Houston-area counties are once again urged to wear a mask indoors.
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In February, the CDC outlined a new set of recommendations for counties depending on their COVID-19 community level - high, medium, or low. A county’s level could rise or fall depending on hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
Harris County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County and other area counties are currently considered to be at the "high" COVID-19 community level, according to the CDC’s data that is updated weekly on Thursdays.
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At the "high" level, the CDC recommends people wear a mask while indoors in public spaces and on public transportation.
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Those in counties at the "medium" level are urged to talk to their health care provider about wearing a mask or taking other precautions if they are at high risk for severe illness.
The CDC has a tool to check the COVID-19 community level by county and the associated recommendations and local data.
Mobile users, click here to access the tool.
Regardless of the COVID-19 community level, people can still choose to wear a mask, and masks may be required in some spaces by local or state authorities.
The CDC says those with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. The CDC also recommends masks in indoor public transportation settings.