CORONAVIRUS numbers for Orange County appear to be on track on move the county to a less restrictive “tier” after 21 days (Pexels/Anna Shvets).

Orange County remains on course for a possible change of tier to a less restrictive set of rules in coping with the corona pandemic.

According to the California Department of Public Health, the county, which is in the “Widespread” tier – as announced on Friday – has a 5.2 positivity rate with a score of 6 percent on new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.

Those numbers, if they remain at that level, would appear to be sufficient to move the county to the next tier of “Substantial” after 21 days.  To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks.

“Substantial” means daily new cases in the 4-7 range and test positivity in the 5-8 percent range.

“Moderate” is the next tier, and would require that Orange County’s daily new cases per 100,000 drop to 3.9 or less, and that the positivity rate be between 2 and 4.9 percent. Tiers will be updated on Tuesday.

The Orange County Health Care Agency on Saturday reported the number of new COVID-19 cases at 408 and deaths at 19. Three hundred forty-one cases are hospitalized in the county, with 99 of those in intensive care units.

According to the OCHCA, the test positivity – what part of those tested actually end up being positive for the infection – is 5 percent.

For complete results, including city-specific data, go to: https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com .