Most Maine counties are now considered low-risk for COVID-19 transmission and hospital burden, according to updated federal data as reported in the Portland Press Herald

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates its “community levels” data weekly, looking at case counts, new hospital admissions and hospital capacity to determine the COVID-19 risk levels by county. The settings are meant as guidelines to help people decide whether to take extra precautions, such as wearing a mask or avoiding crowds. The only recommendations for residents of low-risk counties are to get vaccinated and to get tested if they feel sick.

Since then, the Maine CDC has cleared the backlog, and hospitalization metrics have improved. Ten of Maine’s 16 counties are now in the “green” category: Cumberland, York, Penobscot, Androscoggin, Oxford, Franklin, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Hancock and Piscataquis. Five are in the moderate transmission, or “yellow” category: Somerset, Lincoln, Washington, Knox and Kennebec. Residents of counties in the yellow category are advised to wear masks indoors if they are at high-risk of illness.

Aroostook County is the only county in Maine in the “red” category. The omicron wave crested first in more populated southern and coastal counties, while more rural counties such as Aroostook lagged behind.

Easing federal guidelines, combined with the state recommending an end to mandatory masking in schools, are quickly changing attitudes  and behaviors.