Masks Should Be Worn Indoors In These 6 CT Counties, CDC Now Says

CONNECTICUT — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that the residents of six of the eight Connecticut counties wear a mask indoors in public, up from four last week.

In new data posted Friday, the CDC has added Tolland and Windham Counties to the High/Orange category as part of its COVID-19 Community Levels Map alongside Litchfield, Hartford, Middlesex and New Haven. Only Fairfield and New London Counties are at the Yellow/Medium alert level.

Connecticut has no mask mandates. The COVID-19 Community Levels map—which was launched earlier this year—informs CDC recommendations on prevention measures, such as masking and testing. The guidelines include a color-coded system available on the CDC website of “Low,” “Medium,” and “High.”

People living in the counties designated in the High/Orange category are advised to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and get tested if they have symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for residents who are at high risk for severe illness.

Residents of Fairfield and New London Counties who are at high risk for severe illness should talk to their health care providers about when they should consider wearing a mask and any other precautions they should consider taking, according to state health guidelines.

In a news release issued Friday evening, the state Department of Public Health said that "Connecticut is experiencing a statewide surge in COVID-19 activity, and residents are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves from infection."

"Based on the latest update to COVID-19 Community Levels by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), the Connecticut Department of Public Health recommends that all residents consider wearing a mask while in public indoor spaces," state health officials said.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is reporting 761 residents are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, a 47 patient increase from last Thursday. Last week, hospitalizations had climbed 22 patients from the prior week. The number of Connecticut residents hospitalized with the virus has nearly doubled since Thanksgiving.

The state reported 4,750 cases over seven days, an increase of 1,544 cases over last week's tally. The weekly positive test rate was also up on the week, from 15.56 percent to 17.36 percent this week. The actual number of cases is likely higher, as many at-home positive test results go unreported.

Below are the town-by-town COVID-19 case counts for the past week.