The CDC has released a new COVID-19 Community Level tools to keep higher-risk individuals informed on the risk level in their area.

The tool acts as an interactive map in which people can find their state and their local counties and determine the level of COVID-19 impact in the area.

The map will have three levels: Low, medium and high.

According to Dr. Greta Massetti from the COVID-19 Incident Management Team, low level means there is limited impact on the health care system and low amounts of severe disease in the community.

At the medium level, more people are experiencing severe disease in the community and they're starting to see more of an impact in the health car system.

High level means there is a high amount of people experiencing severe disease in the community and high potential for health care strain.

In addition, Dr. Massetti provided guidelines to follow based on what level your county is experiencing. These guidelines are as follows:

- Low: Stay up to date with your vaccines and get tested if you start feeling COVID-19 symptoms

- Medium: High-risk individuals such as those who are immunocompromised should talk to their health care providers about taking additional precautions and may choose to wear a mask.

- High: Continue to wear a mask indoors and in public places including schools.

According to the most recent data on the Community Level map, Columbiana County is currently in the low level, and Mahoning, Trumbull, Mercer and Lawrence Counties are all at the medium level.

To view the community level tool and check your community's level, click here.