ROANOKE, Va. – According to the CDC, those in Roanoke County should now be wearing a mask indoors; however, that recommendation isn’t due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.
Roanoke County is one of two localities across Virginia that went from a medium to high COVID-19 Community Level over the past week, the other being Madison County.
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The rise in cases in Roanoke County is due to data reconciliation at the state level, not an increase in cases, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Since February 24, Roanoke County has reported 1,461 new cases; however, in that same period, the cities of Roanoke and Salem have reported a combined decrease of 1,196 cases.
That means, over the past eight days, these three areas have reported a net increase of 265 cases, or 33 cases a day.
Across Virginia, 62 of the 133 cities and counties changed levels.
The CDC recommends that those in areas that have a high COVID-19 Community Level still wear a mask indoors in public.
Take a look at the interactive map below to see the COVID-19 Community Level for each county or city within Virginia:
The recommendations are based on a given area’s COVID-19 Community Level.
- Low
- Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines
- Get tested if you have symptoms
- Medium
- If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
- Same guidance as Low
- High
- Wear a mask indoors in public
- Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
- Same guidance as Low