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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors 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.

Data released Thursday by the CDC showed three Oregon counties — Wallowa, Union and Baker — at high levels of community spread, five at medium and 28 at low.

The agency listed the following levels for Central Oregon:

Deschutes County: Low

Crook County: Low

Jefferson County: Low

For communities at low levels, the CDC recommends staying up to date on vaccines and getting tested if experiencing symptoms.