Stanislaus County remains in purple tier this week with an adjusted case rate of 11.8 cases per 100,000 residents. However, because Stanislaus County’s Positivity Rate (7‐day average) of 4.9 percent and Health Equity Quartile Positivity Rate of 4.7 percent have both fallen below 5 percent, the County currently qualifies for the next “Red” tier. In order to advance to the red tier, Stanislaus County will need to improve or maintain both these rates for one more week, while also improving or maintaining its adjusted case rate. If this is accomplished, the California Department of Public Health will place Stanislaus County into the red tier on Tuesday, March 23.

The red tier allows for more business operations to reopen, such as restaurants and gyms opening indoors with modifications, and allows schools (grades 7‐12) to welcome back their students.

“As our cases continue to drop, we must remain vigilant in our efforts in stopping the spread of COVID‐19 so more sectors of our community, including our schools, can open,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “Following all the recommendations to prevent the spread of this disease, including testing, masking, distancing, and getting the vaccine when it’s your turn can help our community move forward faster and start recovering.”

Community‐wide testing helps provide surveillance data of COVID‐19 while informing people when they are infected so they can avoid spreading the virus to others. Increased testing will also help Stanislaus County advance to the next tier, as it will improve the “adjustment” of the County’s case rate. Stanislaus County continues to follow the guidance listed under State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Residents can assist in helping the county make the move to the red tier in several ways, said officials, including:

Get tested for COVID‐19;

Wear a mask when in public or around those who are not a part of your household;

Stay at least six feet away from people outside of your household;

Wash your hands often;

Limit gatherings or mixing with people you don’t live with;

Stay home if you are sick;

Get vaccinated against COVID‐19 when it’s your turn.

Stanislaus County Public Health continues to work closely with all its partners in the Emergency Operations Center to address the COVID‐19 pandemic through guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health, and other partners. For more information on the cases in Stanislaus County, visit www.schsa.org/coronavirus.