The CDC reported Richmond City and Henrico County as both having moved to the high COVID-19 community level. This comes two weeks after Henrico County and one week after Richmond City moved into medium levels.
The CDC’s COVID-19 community level is a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used for COVID-19, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.
Based on CDC guidance for individuals who live in an area with high COVID-19 community level, RHHD recommends everyone who lives, works, or spends time in Richmond or Henrico wear a mask indoors in public (regardless of vaccination status), stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, improve ventilation in indoor spaces, and follow CDC recommendations for isolation or quarantine if sick or exposed. Individuals who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness should wear a mask that provides greater protection, consider avoiding non-essential activities in public, and talk to their healthcare provider about whether they are a candidate for treatments. People who have a household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease should consider wearing a mask when indoors around them and getting tested before seeing them.
RHHD also continues to recommend everyone keep several at-home tests in their home in case it’s needed. Individuals can request free tests at covidtests.gov, purchase a test at a pharmacy and submit a claim to their insurance, or pick up a free COVID-19 home test at some Richmond Public Library locations (Broad Rock, East End, Ginter Park, Main Library, and North Ave). RHHD is also increasing the availability of free COVID-19 PCR test events to meet a potential increased demand; visit rchd.com for more information on testing.
“For any folks who have taken a break from indoor mask wearing during times of low and medium COVID-19 levels, now is the time to break out those masks from the drawer and make sure to stay diligent about wearing it in indoor places,” explains Dr. Viray, Acting Director at RHHD. “Mask wearing alongside vaccinations and staying home when sick will help us stay as safe as possible during this wave of higher COVID-19 levels.”
“We wear masks to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe… it can save a life,” explains Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “Richmond residents, let’s make smart choices given where the COVID-19 levels are in our community. Let’s do our part to stay safe during this wave of the pandemic.”
About Richmond and Henrico Health Districts: RHHD are sister public health agencies serving Richmond’s and Henrico’s communities. Our mission is to expose and address the root causes of health disparities, protect health by preventing the spread of disease, and build health equity by partnering with communities and working collaboratively across sectors.
Read more from Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU about COVID-19 vaccines for your family here.
