What is Sacramento County’s COVID risk as emergency ends? Here’s the latest from CDC

Sacramento County’s COVID-19 community level sticks at “medium,” as the county ended its public health emergency for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Yolo County also rescinded its order, concurring with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s rollback of California’s statewide emergency. By ending the order, some state-wide test sites will lessen operations and county public meetings will return in person. Masks, however, are still required in some places, such as hospitals and nursing homes.

The community level, which is updated weekly by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, help guide coronavirus preventative actions. Counties are classified as “low,” “medium” or “high,” and it’s based on how many reported cases and hospitalizations there are in the area.

At medium, the CDC advises people who are at risk of severe disease wear high-quality masks, such as N-95s, when in indoor public spaces. People who interact with others who are high risk should also consider masking when in indoor places. Other recommendations by the CDC include:

• 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.

According to the state’s COVID dashboard, Sacramento County has a seven-day average case rate of 6.8 cases per 100,000.

Nearby counties Placer, Yolo and El Dorado are also at the medium community level.

Eleven of California’s 58 counties are in the medium risk level, while the rest of the state remains in low. No county is at high.

This story was originally published March 3, 2023 at 10:49 AM.