New CDC map shows Greater Columbus mostly medium COVID risk, masks may not be needed

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new COVID-19 risk guidance map Friday that indicates counties representing more than 70% of the U.S. population may not need to wear masks indoors — including Franklin County and its surrounding counties.

However, the map is intended only as guidance and any decisions about mask-wearing requirements or mandates remain with local and state officials — with one major exception. Masks are still required on all public transportation, including aboard airplanes, trains, and buses.

In Columbus, a mask mandate remains in effect for now. A Columbus Public Health spokesperson said Friday: "We look forward to seeing the guidance and will make a determination (about the mask mandate) after we’ve had a chance to review it and the most-recent local data."

CDC's new COVID risk map: What it means

The CDC says its new map is a tool "to help communities decide what prevention measures to take based on the latest data."

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said Friday that data now goes beyond just looking at the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population and percentage of positive tests to also include factors related to the severity of the cases, such as hospitalizations and the capacity of hospitals at the community level to handle those cases.

The new classification system increased by one-third the number of counties across America that the CDC now considers at low- or medium risk from last week. The national public health agency's new guidance map got rid of the red color for "high-risk" designation contained in its maps just days ago, something that triggered some questions and ridicule on Twitter and other social media.

The new guidance map now classifies risk levels based on the colors green, yellow and orange:

Green, or low-risk, means there is "limited impact on healthcare system, low levels of severe illness.

Yellow, or medium risk, means there is "some impact on healthcare system, more people with severe illness."

Orange, or high-risk, means there is "high potential for healthcare system strain; high level of severe illness."

Most of Ohio is now in the medium- to low-risk COVID-19 community level, according to the CDC's new map.

Franklin County and a majority of its surrounding counties are now at medium risk, the map shows.

Fairfield County is the only adjacent county designated at low risk. In low-risk areas, the CDC guidance is that no masking is needed.

The CDC recommends that in counties in medium-risk locations, people should talk to their healthcare providers about the need for wearing a mask, especially immunocompromised individuals or those with increased health risks.

But in high-risk counties, the CDC guidance continues to recommend masks in public indoor spaces and schools.

COVID-19 restrictions: More than 70% of Americans can take off their masks indoors with new CDC guidelines on COVID risk

The new map comes as reported COVID-19 case numbers have continued to see a downward trend in Ohio, after cases peaked in early January with more than 30,000 cases, according to the state Department of Health.

Greater Columbus officials consider lifting mask mandates

On Feb. 16, officials from Bexley, Columbus, Whitehall and Worthington announced in a joint statement that they may consider lifting their cities' mask mandates in the near future due to the decrease in COVID cases around the state.

And on Tuesday, the Bexley City Council did just so, as its members unanimously voted to lift the city's indoor mask mandate. However, the city's school district decided to keep its mandate and will review the superintendent's recommendations at a board meeting on March 9.

"At the time we instituted the mask mandate we committed to following the guidance of public health authorities. Public health authorities around the country have recognized the lower risk from omicron, particularly in the face of mass vaccination and increasing public immunity, and restrictions around the country are lessening," Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler wrote in a statement explaining the change in direction.

COVID-19 numbers: Ohio reports 1,612 new COVID-19 cases Friday

However, the Columbus City Council told The Dispatch that it will continue to wait for health guidance from Columbus Public Health to decide whether to lift the city's mask mandate.

"Council is continuing to work collaboratively with Columbus Public Health and Dr. Mysheika Roberts (the city's health commissioner) on following the cases and hospitalization numbers impacting the mask mandate," Council spokesman David Miller said.

If trends continue to head in the right direction, Miller said, the mask mandate will be lifted to accommodate the lower COVID-19 spread in the community."

Ohio experts: Although COVID case numbers decreasing, pandemic not yet over

Dr. Joe Gastaldo, OhioHealth medical director of infectious diseases, said that while the numbers have been decreasing, the pandemic is not over.

He said that he liked the CDC's announcement Friday because the guidance is easier for people to digest and understand since it's based on how cases are affecting hospitals and the rest of the healthcare system.

COVID-19 and travel: Yes, masks are still required on planes and at airports despite new CDC mask guidelines

"I like this because it is a living document that can change. We have to be transparent with people about that," Gastaldo said. "If things get worse, and they may get worse, we have to be prepared to go back up to the mask wearing and the other mitigation recommendations that we've had for the last couple years."

Gastaldo said that with home testing being more prevalent, the CDC's new map should be more accurate when measuring COVID severity in communities.

"From a hospital perspective, if you're fully vaccinated, if you're up to date on your vaccine and you get COVID and you're home with a cold or mild flu symptoms, we can live with that because it's not going to impact how we take care of patients in the hospital," he said.

Local school districts lift COVID-19 mask mandates

Several area school districts have already lifted their mask mandates — such as Canal Winchester, Dublin, Gahanna-Jefferson, New Albany-Plain, Wand Westerville — and other districts are discussing the issue. Columbus City Schools, the state's largest school district, continues to have a mask mandate in place.

COVID-19: Are schools ditching their mask mandates too soon?

mylee@dispatch.com

@leem386

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: COVID risk: Franklin County, surrounding area at medium or low — CDC