4 RI Counties Deemed 'High Risk' For COVID-19 Spread

RHODE ISLAND — Four counties of Rhode Island's five counties saw their community level risk upgraded to "high" on Thursday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bristol, Kent, Providence and Washington counties are now deemed "high risk" by the CDC, while Newport County remained at "medium risk."

The upgraded risk for 80 percent of Rhode Island's counties comes about a month after all counties in the state were upgraded to medium risk, amid the surge from new omicron subvariants. This means residents in Bristol, Kent, Providence and Washington counties should wear high-quality masks while in indoor public settings, according to CDC guidance.

For counties at medium risk, the CDC recommends staying up to date with vaccinations and getting a COVID-19 test when experiencing symptoms. Immunocompromised people and others at higher risk of severe illness should talk to their doctor about wearing a face-covering in a public setting.

On Thursday, the Rhode Island Department of Health reported 665 new COVID-19 cases. No deaths were reported Thursday. Statewide, community transmission stood at 515 new cases per 100,000 people.

Hospitalizations increase from 108 last week to 120 statewide, state health data showed. Six patients were in intensive care, and less than five were on ventilators.