ORANGE COUNTY has been dropped from “red” to the more restrictive “purple” (Shutterstock).

UPDATES:  Details on what “going purple” means, remarks from Gov. Gavin Newsom and a link for more information.

 The national and statewide surge in new coronavirus cases has finally caught up with Orange County, as recent increases in COVID-19 cases have tumbled the county back into the purple “widespread” tier, which is the most restrictive.

Orange County’s scores on health equity and test positivity rate would have been enough to keep it in the less restrictive red tier for “substantial.” However, the number of new coronavirus cases per day per 100,000 people – 10.8 – nearly doubled last week’s tally.

Typically, tier changes are revealed on Tuesday, but the California Department of Public Health made the announcement today (Monday) in response to booming numbers of infections reported across the nation, state and county.

This was all set in action Monday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who “pulled the emergency brake” in response to the increase in infections. “We must do all we can – government at all levels and Californians – to flatten the curve again as we have done before,” said the governor. All told, 40 counties were rolled back to purple, affecting 94 percent of the state’s residents.

Californians are asked to wear a mask, physically distance and wash hands frequently.

Today’s report from the Orange County Health Care Agency showed 380 new cases, a sharp drop from Sunday’s high of 639 cases. There were no deaths reported, compared to two the day before. Cases hospitalized rose from 242 on Sunday to 257 for Monday. Those in intensive care units declined from 90 to 85.

For more details on the tiers and what they mean, go to:  https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/#reopening-data .