Luke Parsnow reports in New York State of Politics that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now considers Columbia, Albany, and Rensselaer counties as having "high" community levels of the coronavirus. The CDC now recommends citizens now wear masks inside in public. In all, New York has 36 counties as having "high" community levels of COVID-19. The rest of the Hudson Valley's are considered at medium risk right now, with only three New York counties considered low risk. Albany County reported May 6 its highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate since mid-February. “This is one of the most concerning updates I’ve provided in a long time," said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. "The daily average of new COVID infections continues to increase and has now trended above 200; the number of residents currently in the hospital with the virus is now the highest it’s been since Feb. 17; and sadly, individuals continue to succumb to COVID complications.” Read more about this story in New York State of Politics.