2 Arizona counties see change in community COVID levels, 1 better and 1 worse

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PHOENIX – Two Arizona counties saw status changes, one better and one worse, in Thursday’s weekly update of community COVID-19 levels across the nation.

The improvement came in the northwest corner of the state, where Mohave County became Arizona’s first region to be classified as low under the COVID risk system introduced last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Meanwhile, Apache County in northeastern Arizona moved to high status after a week in the medium range.

Thursday’s update put Arizona’s community levels at low for one county, high for three and medium for the other 11.

A key element of the CDC guidance for the general public is that it’s considered safe for healthy people to go without face masks in public indoor spaces where the community level is medium or low, but not where it’s still high.

Last week, the entire state was medium except for Yuma and La Paz counties in southwest Arizona, which have been in the high range each week the system has been in use. Arizona had four medium counties — Coconino, Maricopa, Santa Cruz and Yavapai — and 11 high when the system debuted Feb. 25.

With Thursday’s update, more than 98% of the U.S. population was living in areas with low or medium COVID levels. That figure was 70% two weeks ago, when the CDC shifted its guidance to better align with the fading impact of the coronavirus.

The CDC recommendations aren’t binding, meaning cities and institutions can set their own rules regarding COVID mitigation.

The requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in airports, train stations and bus stations remains in effect regardless of community level and was extended through April 18, but federal officials are taking steps that could lead to lifting the rule.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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