Here's how close your county is to changing tiers in California's reopening phases

ByAlix Martichoux KGO logo

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Here's a breakdown of each tier in Newsom's reopening framework

Does the new color coded, 4-tier system for monitoring COVID-19 in California leave you scratching your head? ABC7 breaks down what each tier means.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Since Gov. Gavin Newsom moved California away from the county watch list and onto the new color-coded tier system, many counties have been stuck in the "purple."

MAP: CA counties that can, can't reopen under new rules

How a county is categorized depends on two numbers: the new daily coronavirus cases and the testing positivity rate (or the proportion of those tested who turn back a positive result). Here's how it breaks down:

Widespread (purple): Counties with more than 7 daily new cases per 100,000 residents or higher than 8% positivity rate
Substantial (red): 4 to 7 daily new cases per 100,000 residents or 5-8% positivity
Moderate (orange): 1 to 3.9 daily new cases per 100,000 or 2-4.9% positivity
Minimal (yellow): Less than 1 daily new case per 100,000 or less than 2% positivity

How close is your county to moving tiers and allowing more businesses to reopen?

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Remember, because the state wants to take a "slow and steady" approach to reopening, a county must stay at a level for at least three weeks before moving to a less restrictive level.

Counties with data falling in two different tiers are assigned to the more restrictive tier.