SLO County returns to Red Tier of state guidelines
SLO County is eligible for what the state calls “accelerated progression” through the tiers; prompting the county’s move into the Red Tier.
More businesses can resume modified indoor operations and activities
–San Luis Obispo County is preparing to move from the Purple Tier to the Red Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, according to the San Luis Obispo County Health Department.
The state announced the change in tier status today, and the tier status change goes into effect on Wednesday, March 3. This means many businesses can prepare to resume modified indoor operations and activities, effective tomorrow.
Active cases are currently at 489. The high point for active cases was on Jan. 12, 2021, when the county recorded 3,211 active cases. The county now attributes a total of 236 deaths to the coronavirus since the pandemic began.
The county of San Luis Obispo has now recorded a total of 19,724 cases since the pandemic was declared. Currently, 19 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, with five in the ICU.
“This is a positive step in the right direction for our community and I’m happy that we’re able to reopen more parts of our community,” said County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein. “But we cannot take this gift for granted. We must remain vigilant as we move forward so that we do not undo this good work.”
For a second week in a row, San Luis Obispo County COVID-19 case and testing metrics under the state’s blueprint have moved in the right direction. The county’s adjusted case rate is now just below seven and its positivity rate and health equity metric continued to drop, staying at Orange Tier levels now for two weeks. It’s the fact that these two metrics dropped two tiers below case rate levels that make SLO County eligible for what the state calls “accelerated progression” through the tiers; prompting the county’s move into the Red Tier.
The blueprint allows counties in the Red Tier to reopen indoor operations for some additional business sectors and allows for certain activities to resume. Local businesses must follow all state guidelines for their industry and self-certify that they are ready to reopen.
What can you do to help the county reach the less-restrictive Orange Tier?
- Wear a face-covering in public.
- Stay at least six feet away from people outside of your household.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Limit mixing with people you don’t live with.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Avoid crowds and large gatherings.
- Get tested for COVID-19
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19
For more information, visit www.ReadySLO.org or call the recorded Public Health Information Line at (805) 788-2903. A staffed phone assistance center is available at (805) 543-2444 or (805) 781-4280, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Click here to view detailed statistics for San Luis Obispo County.
- Click here to view detailed re-opening information.
- Follow all Paso Robles COVID-19 coronavirus news updates
