More Mid-Missouri counties move into ‘high’ COVID-19 community level

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Four more Mid-Missouri counties have moved into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "high" community level for COVID-19, according to a state government update Friday.

Callaway, Osage, Cole and Moniteau counties are now in the "high" community category, which takes into consideration numbers of new cases and hospitalizations. The CDC has different guidelines for each category, including a recommendation that people in high community level counties wear masks indoors.

Last week Howard and Chariton counties were in the high level but they've moved down to medium in the latest report along with Boone County. Community levels remain low in Morgan and Audrain counties.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services releases new COVID-19 data every Friday and the data is good for the week that ended Wednesday.

Hospitalizations are also on their way down statewide along with new cases and deaths.