CDC recommends more masking in 3 of 4 Upper Valley counties

WEST LEBANON — While mask requirements largely have lifted across the Upper Valley, they have recently been reinstated in some places as cases and hospitalizations trend upward.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends masks indoors in three out of four counties in the Upper Valley: New Hampshire’s Grafton County and Vermont’s Windsor and Orange counties.

The three counties where masks are recommended now have “high” levels of COVID-19 as measured by case counts and hospitalizations, according to the CDC, which updates its data weekly on Thursdays.

That level marks a continuation for Grafton County and an upgrade for the two Vermont counties, which the CDC said had “medium” levels last week. Sullivan County’s “medium” level marks a downgrade from last week when it had “high” levels.

Due to the change in Windsor County, Hartford schools started requiring masks indoors again on Friday until further notice, according to an email Superintendent Tom DeBalsi sent to families.

In addition, the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction announced on its Facebook page on Monday it would be requiring masks again due to an uptick in cases in the area.

“Be sure to keep your hands clean with frequent washing or sanitizing, and practice social distancing whenever possible,” the announcement said. “Keep up to date with your vaccinations, test yourself for COVID regularly, and most importantly: If you are feeling sick, stay home.”

When communities have “high” levels of COVID-19 the CDC recommends that people wear masks indoors regardless of their individual level of risk or vaccination status.

When levels of COVID-19 in a community are at “medium,” the CDC recommends that people at high risk of serious illness consult their health care provider about whether to wear a mask in public.

Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.