Newport County Back Down To 'Medium Risk' For COVID-19 Spread

NEWPORT, RI — Newport County in Rhode Island saw its COVID-19 community spread risk drop from "high" to "medium" on Friday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This means all but one county in the Ocean State are no longer in the "high" risk category, the Rhode Island Department of Health said. Health officials said Providence County is the only one still at the "high" designation after Newport County and Kent County dropped to "medium."

Community levels are determined by COVID-19 case rates and hospitalization data, the Department of Health said.

For people living in counties with a "high" community level, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors in public spaces.

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.