CDC's latest Covid-19 risk map cools down; shows more Ky. counties at low risk than at medium and high risk combined

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map

By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

More Kentucky counties have a low risk of Covid-19 transmission than have medium and high risk, reversing the trend of the past two weeks, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly risk map.

"Covid-19 is increasing in the United States, but we in Kentucky are still not seeing a substantial increase," Gov. Andy Beshear said at his regular Thursday news conference, held before the map was released.

Beshear continues to urge Kentuckians to get a updated Covid-19 booster shot, noting that only 12% of Kentuckians 5 and older have gotten one. 

"We believe the new booster is safe and effective, and that it provides very significant protection against severe illness or death for those that get it," the governor said. "And we believe that it is effective even against the newest variant that we are learning more about as we go." 

The CDC map, which is based on Covid-19 cases and hospital numbers to determine transmission and risk, shows 11 Kentucky counties at high risk, shown in orange; 45 at medium risk, shown in yellow; and 64 at low risk, up from 53 the week before. Low-risk counties are shown in green. 

All the high-risk counties are in the eastern part of the state. 

In high-risk counties, the CDC continues to recommend that you wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask in public indoor spaces, and if you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.

If you live in a medium or high-risk county, the CDC advises those who are at high risk of getting very sick to wear a well-fitting mask when indoors and in public and to consider getting tested before having social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick and consider wearing a mask when indoors when you are with them.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention map

The CDC also has a transmission-level map, largely used by researchers and health-care facilities, that shows the level of virus spread in each county, at one of four levels. It shows 15 counties with moderate level of transmission, up from six in the prior weed and the rest with either substantial or high levels of transmission. 

State officials have encouraged Kentuckians to use the other CDC map to guide their preventive measures.