Orange County is continuing to see an increase in the number of lab-confirmed COVID-19, aligning with state and national trends. As a result, the County of Orange may move into the state’s most restrictive Purple Tier as early as Tuesday, November 24, 2020.
The state’s tiered metric system may be found below as well as on the state’s website: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/
On Tuesday, November 10, the CA Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed that the County of Orange remained in the second most restrictive tier – the Red Tier.
Orange County has been in this tier since September 8, 2020. The next CDPH tier determination is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2020, based on data from November 1 to November 7.
Given our current trajectory, it is believed that the County of Orange might meet the threshold of being in the first week of the Purple Tier on Tuesday, November 17. Again, the state will make this announcement as to our tier status on November 17.
During the county’s first week in the Purple Tier status, County of Orange residents, businesses and events will function the same as in the Red Tier status.
Should even one of the County of Orange’s state-determined tier metrics fall in the Purple Tier for two consecutive weeks, Orange County restaurants, gyms, churches, theaters and other locations will need to close indoor operations under state guidance. This could happen as early as TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020.
What Orange County Residents and Businesses Can Do
There are several steps Orange County residents can do to ensure that we do not move to the more restrictive Purple Tier:
1. Get Tested for COVID-19
The OC Health Care Agency officials are urging residents, especially those with any symptoms, to get tested for the virus.
COVID-19 testing (
https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing) now widely available across the county for those who are symptomatic or asymptomatic, with or without insurance, at no cost Testing takes only a few minutes and results generally come back within two to three days.
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and let close contacts know. A close contact is someone you were within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes within a 24-hour period during the infectious period.
2. Stay Home if You Don’t Feel Well
Consult with a health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s Health Referral Line at 1(800) 564-8448.
3. Stay Home When Possible
When you leave the house, avoid crowds and stay 6 feet apart from people not in your household.
4. Do Not Gather with More Than 3 (Healthy) Households
Do not mix households; in other words, remain with the same 3 households in all activities
5. Wear a Face Covering
Wear a face covering you are around people not in your household, especially when indoors.
6. Wash Your Hands Often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
7. Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose, and Mouth with Unwashed Hands
8. Clean and Disinfect Frequently Touched Surfaces
9. Understand and Comply with the State’s Guideline for Your Business and Events
Orange County residents may search for a business or activity type by visiting
https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/ and typing in “Orange” in the County field, entering the business or activity type, and clicking, “GET LATEST STATUS.”
