Lexington County has had a high Community Level for COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for five of the past six weeks, triggering a recommendation from that national organization and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control for people here to mask.

But despite rising COVID rates, county businesses the Chronicle reached out to are continuing current precautions and not making any further mandates at this time.

The CDC determines Community Levels each week for counties by looking at three metrics including: new case rate per 100,000 people, new COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 people and percentage of staffed inpatient hospital beds occupied by confirmed COVID patients.

Because of the high level, people are encouraged to wear masks indoors, get tested as symptoms arise and stay current with vaccines. However, public outings now don’t look much different than when the county was at a low level, and businesses are operating under what have become normal COVID conditions in 2022.

The towns of Lexington and Cayce said they are monitoring the situation and making no changes to their COVID policies at the moment.

COVID-related mandates have not been enacted in any Lexington County towns, and there are no restrictions publicly listed.

Venues in the county are operating normally with post-pandemic safety precautions. For instance, New Brookland Tavern in West Columbia is open for business as normal, though it is aware of the rise in Covid cases.

The rock club encourages masks and testing or vaccination, mentioned Carlin Thompson,  New Brookland Tavern booker and sound engineer, and it will willingly change policies in line with artist requests.

As far as recreational places, COVID precaution signs are still in place at some, but the Chronicle could find no new requirements that have been enacted. Flight Adventure Park in Irmo is one recreational center with no current restrictions due to the high Community Level; people wear masks if they want.

When it comes to the elderly or immunocompromised, businesses stay mindful of CDC guidelines while adhering to precautions.

Colonial Gardens Assisted Living and Memory Care operates under CDC guidelines, according to health Services Coordinator Michael Capers. He said the facility does what it can to lessen exposure, such as changing the schedule of activities and encouraging masks in close spaces indoors.

Lexington Medical Center continues to closely monitor COVID transmission rates across the county for all its centers, according to Director of Communications and Digital Strategy Allison Sanford. Precautions are kept in place and masks are required. The hospital also continues to operate its testing and vaccination site in West Columbia.