Kent COVID Levels ‘Medium’, CDC Reports

PROVIDENCE, RI — Kent and Newport Counties’ community levels of COVID-19 infection have decreased from high to medium, leaving Providence County the sole RI region with a high level of infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.

 Four counties – Bristol County, Kent County, Newport County, and Washington County – are now at the medium level, according to an update on the pandemic from the RI Department of Health (RIDOH).

Every week, the CDC identifies the COVID-19 community level in every county in the country as “low,” “medium,” or “high” using case rates, data on hospital admissions, and percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Regardless of the designation of someone’s county, everyone should take certain prevention measures, RIDOH

RIDOH offered the following health reminders as the pandemic continues:

• Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses. The Omicron booster doses currently being administered are providing good protection against the dominant variant circulating in Rhode Island.
• Ventilate indoor spaces as well as possible. 
• Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. 
• Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. 
• Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19. 
• If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions. 

 

Additionally, CDC recommends that people in “medium” counties consider self-testing and masking when around those who are at high risk for getting very sick. CDC recommends that people in “high” counties wear high-quality masks while in crowded, indoor public settings. (This is a recommendation, not a requirement.) The full recommendations by community level from the CDC are available online.