Penn State once again “strongly recommends” students, faculty, and staff to mask indoors, according to a release.

On Thursday, Centre County checked in with a “high” COVID-19 community level, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the first time in the past 15 weeks. Previously, it was at the “low” community level.

Between September 2 and 8, Centre County’s COVID-19 case rate was 242.6 per 100,000 individuals, and there were 12.3 hospital admissions per 100,000 individuals. 5.3% of hospital beds were used by COVID-19 patients.

Penn State also encourages students at other campuses in medium and low COVID-19 community levels to mask if they so wish.

Face masks are still required at University Health Services (UHS) and other locations where it is required by law.

“The University prioritizes the community’s safety. Face masks, vaccines, proper hand hygiene, and staying home when sick are key mitigation strategies that we know minimize the spread of COVID-19,” the university said in a release. “These measures — and the vigilance of our Penn State community members to follow them — help prevent the disruption and pause of daily schedules and activities when/if the virus is contracted.”