OC stays orange, nears yellow

By OC Tribune Staff on April 6, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

A COMBINATION of vaccines and public health measures is allowing Orange County to near the “yellow” tier (Shutterstock).

Orange County remained solidly in the “orange” tier of classification for coronavirus this week. Statistics released today (Tuesday) showed the county meeting all the requirements to stay in the “moderate” category.

Additionally, the county is close to qualifying for the “yellow” or minimal tier.

New COVID-19 cases per day per 100,000 residents were at 3.0 for the county; to reach the “yellow” or minimal category, that number would have to drop below 2.0.

The test positivity rate is at 1.6 percent; the goal for yellow is below 2.0. The health equity positivity rate is at 2.1 percent, meeting the state requirement of less than 2.2 percent.

However, according to the latest statistics from the Orange County Health Care Agency, the steady declines in coronavirus metrics is showing signs of slowing or even reversing itself.

Cases rose to 131 on Tuesday from 112 on Monday and 96 on Sunday. Deaths hit 12 on Tuesday after zero on Sunday and four on Sunday.

Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 did slide from 109 on Monday to 107 on Tuesday, but the number of patients being treated for the virus in intensive care units increased from 16 to 23.

The to-date total of coronavirus cases in the county is at 251,441, of which 242,626 are considered recovered. Deaths are at 4,784.

Here is the list of OC cities with the most cases. Deaths are in parentheses.