CDC now recommends masks in more Capital Region counties

The list of Capital Region counties where the CDC is advising people to mask up indoors is increasing. People — even those who are vaccinated — in Albany, Columbia, and Schoharie counties should wear a face mask indoors, according to the latest CDC data.

People were already advised to wear masks in Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties.

The CDC revised its guidelines on masks last week. It now says everyone should wear a mask in areas where there is substantial or high transmission of the coronavirus.

The data updated on the CDC’s website Sunday afternoon lists these six counties as being areas of substantial transmission. The rest of the Capital Region is classified as having moderate transmission.

Greene and Warren counties had been listed as substantial transmission areas last week. Warren County improved to moderate soon after the new guidelines were announced. Greene County was changed to moderate on Sunday.

At this point, this is just a recommendation from the CDC. The state and local governments are not issuing any mask mandates. Gov. Cuomo said last week that the state would review the CDC’s guidance.