The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now upgraded Ulster County's COVID-19 community transmission level to high.

The upgrade means Ulster is it's joining most of its surrounding counties now with an increased number of positive cases again.

County Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith says a great deal of that increase is being attributed to the new Omicron variant XBB 1.5.

Smith is urging county residents to go back to the basics like wearing a mask indoors, testing as soon as one has symptoms, social distancing and stay home if one is sick. She said it is also important to keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots.

Smith says those who are fully vaccinated are also less likely to get severe COVID-19.

The health department conducts regular COVID-19 vaccination clinics for people 5 and up at the former Best Buy at the Hudson Valley Mall.

Residents are also advised to check with the county's health department for shots as well as a lot of pharmacies, doctors' offices and urgent care centers.