LA GRANDE — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the COVID-19 community levels Thursday, June 30, to high for Union, Wallowa and Baker and 12 other Oregon counties.

The increasing spread means 24 Oregon counties are now at high levels of community spread. Nine counties were at high levels as of June 23.

All other Oregon counties were listed June 30 at medium levels. Umatilla, Morrow and Malheur counties are also listed at high.

The CDC has been monitoring community levels of COVID-19 to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

Precautions the CDC recommends for communities with high levels:

• Wear a mask indoors in public

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

• Get tested if you have symptoms.

• Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness.