The Board of Commissioners revised the County’s masking policy to align with the CDC's new transmission levels and the recommended guidance to follow under each level, while inside Centre County-owned and -operated facilities.
Specifically, masking is not required when the County’s transmission level, as calculated by the CDC, is either at the medium or low levels. If the County returns to a high designation, mask wearing would be reinstated.
Centre County’s modification of the COVID-19 mitigation measures is based on new guidance issued February 25, 2022, by the CDC that updates the metrics used to determine the impact of the virus that causes COVID-19 on a community. The CDC’s updated list of U.S. counties showing community impact indicates that as of March 3rd, Centre County is now experiencing a “medium” level of impact.
The CDC’s updated guidance considers the number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity and new COVID-19 cases to help determine the COVID-19 community level metrics. The CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels tool is intended to help communities and individuals make decisions based on their local context and unique needs.
The CDC recommends that individuals who are at high risk for severe disease due to pre-existing, chronic medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic liver, heart or kidney disease, seek additional guidance from their health care providers.
The revisions to the County’s masking policy does not impact employees who work in the Centre County Correctional Facility. To maximize protection from highly transmissible COVID-19 variants of concern and prevent possible spread to others, the CDC recommends that residents and staff members of correctional facilities should wear a cloth or disposable procedure mask or respirator regardless of vaccination and booster status while indoors.