While California is set to end its color-coded blueprint for reopening the economy on June 15, Orange County could soon move into the least restrictive yellow tier before then.

In doing so, the county would experience the least restrictive reopening guidelines since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Per requirements established by the California Department of Health, counties must remain in a tier for a minimum of three weeks prior to moving into a less restrictive tier. Orange County has been in the state’s Orange tier since March 29.

The state issues tier assessments each week on Monday, and releases the data on Tuesday. Per the data, the county’s tier assessment begins 24-hours later.

In order to move into the yellow tier, Orange County must maintain a case rate below 2 per 100,000. Currently, as of Tuesday, April 27, Orange County has an adjusted daily case rate of 2.6 per 100,000, which meets orange tier criteria – but is slightly elevated to meet yellow tier criteria.

In order to advance tiers, CDPH requires a county to meet criteria for the next less restrictive tier, “for the prior consecutive weeks in order to progress to the next tier.”

At this point, Orange County’s adjusted daily case rate needs to fall below 2 per 100,000 – and be maintained for two weeks. Until then, Orange County looks to remain in the orange tier for at least another two weeks.

On Tuesday, April 27, Dr. Clayton Chau, director of the Orange County Health Agency addressed the Orange County Board of Supervisors confirming that while the case rates continue to decline, metrics have not met Yellow tier requirements.

“We’ve been stable, slowly dropping as you know when we get to the lower numbers it’s difficult to make improvement very fast,” Chau said. “Regardless, our number is at 2.6 per 100k, and is in the low Orange Tier – as you remember in order for us to make it to the Yellow we have to be below 2%, so in order for us to move to the yellow tier, all three of the metrics have to be in the Yellow tier for at least two weeks.”

In terms of daily cases, the 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases is hovering around 100 cases per day, with a test positivity rate of 1.4% and a Health Equity Quartile Positivity Rate of 1.9%, which meet yellow tier criteria.

“State updated their number every week, and we continue to be in the Orange Tier,” Chau said. “We’ve been following, to make sure we don’t have any vaccine breakthrough – anyone that’s been vaccinated get sick, so far I’m happy to report that we have not see that here in Orange County.”

While the county’s daily adjusted case rate is still too high to meet yellow tier criteria, from a month-to-month standpoint, the county’s metrics have improved. On March 25, Orange County’s case rate was 3.5 per 100,000 with a testing positivity rate of 2.8%.

After nearly nine months in California’s color-coded restrictive tiers, the state issued updated guidance for the soon-to-be-defunct Blueprint for a Safer Economy, including new guidance for businesses and activities once counties reach the yellow tier.

Within the Yellow tier, movie theaters and places of worship will be able to host up to 50% capacity. Currently, the orange tier limits movie theaters to 200 people or 50% capacity, whichever is less.

The California Department of Public Health has also issued guidance regarding indoor events and live performances, which are currently limited to in-state attendees only.

Once in the yellow tier, venues with a capacity of 1,500 or less can host events with 25% capacity, or 300 people – whichever is less. These venues will also have the option to increase capacity to 50% if all guests can provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.

For venues with a capacity greater than 1,500, attendance will be limited to 10% capacity or 2,000 people – whichever is less. Larger venues will also have the option to increase capacity to 50% if guests can provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.

As California approaches 12 million vaccinations statewide, Orange County has administered more than 2 million doses, with more than 822,000 individuals now fully vaccinated.

On Tuesday, April 27, the Orange County Health Agency reported 90 new COVID-19 cases with no new COVID-19 related deaths. Accumulatively, the HCA has reported 253,574 COVID-19 cases with 4,933 deaths since the pandemic began.

In California, there are only 3 counties that have met yellow tier criteria, while 38 counties are in the orange tier. There are currently 17 counties in the red tier.

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