The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance for masks Tuesday based on high transmission rates across the country for COVID-19.

The CDC website states that to reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19 and possibly spreading it to others, vaccinated individuals should wear a mask indoors in public if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission. 

This advice is a change from the past guidance given by the CDC, which said Americans who were fully vaccinated could stop wearing face coverings. 

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. counties have high or substantial transmission of COVID-19, according to the most recent data from the CDC.

Story County is considered a county with a high level of community transmission, with 51.7 percent of the total population fully vaccinated and 55.1 percent with at least one dose of vaccines.

As with all other CDC COVID-19 guidance, it is most important that those who are not vaccinated, have a weakened immune system or are at an increased risk for severe disease due to age or an underlying medical condition wear masks.