Sacramento County’s COVID community risk rises. Here’s the latest on masks and cases

In a span of a month, Sacramento County’s COVID-19 community level rose from “low” to “medium,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At the start of February, the county’s mask mandates rolled back at shelters and prisons, as the risk level hit low for the first time since November.

The community level is back to medium, as of Feb. 21.

California’s COVID dashboard’s Thursday’s update show that the county’s seven-day average confirmed case rate is 6.7 cases per 100,000. Sacramento’s seven-day test positivity rate is 7.3% — a 1.3% increase from the previous week.

At this level, the CDC recommends high risk individuals wear high-quality masks, such as N-95s, in public indoor areas. If you live or interact with someone that is at high risk for getting severe illness, the agency advises that you test yourself and wear a mask when indoors with them. It also recommends:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses.
• Maintain ventilation improvements.
• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Sacramento isn’t the only county at the medium community level. Nearby counties Placer, Yolo and El Dorado are at medium, too.

This story was originally published February 21, 2023 at 9:10 AM.