2 About 62% of US counties, in which about 72% of Americans live, are now considered low or medium risk areas. It published a colour coded map for guidance, which codes counties as red (high levels of covid-19), yellow (medium), or green (low). The CDC said its decision was based on local conditions in each of the nation’s 3141 counties.

Walensky said, “We need to give people a break from things like mask wearing when our levels are low.” But, she said, the CDC would turn to stronger guidelines “should things get worse in the future.” 1 But only about 65% of Americans are fully vaccinated. Over the past two weeks, cases have dropped by 63%, hospital admissions by 44%, and deaths by 23%, according to the New York Times coronavirus tracker. Vaccines are approved for children aged 5 and older.Ĭovid-19 cases in the US have been decreasing. The new guidelines mean that students need to wear masks only in high risk areas. The change in guidelines comes as many communities have ended mask mandates and many people have stopped wearing masks. The CDC continued to advise people to be vaccinated and boosted and said they could continue to wear masks if they chose. “The overall risk of severe disease is now generally lower,” CDC director Rochelle Walensky told a press briefing on 25 February. The new rules show the CDC’s focus is on minimising serious disease, lessening the strain on hospitals, and protecting the most vulnerable.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has relaxed its rules on mask wearing, with around 70% of Americans no longer required to wear a face covering indoors.

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