News Update

Two counties move back reopening tiers, one moves up

With a spike in Covid-19 hospitalizations in California over the past two weeks, two counties have slid back on the state’s reopening tier system, and one has moved forward, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Wednesday.

Shasta County, which was in the red — or “substantial” tier since Oct. 27, has moved back to purple or “widespread.” That means that schools cannot open for in-person instruction unless they have a waiver.

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Wednesday that two counties had moved down reopening tiers, and one had moved up.

Plumas County moved back from the yellow — or “minimal” tier to the orange “moderate” tier, which means schools in the county can remain open for in-person instruction following state and county guidance.

Colusa County was the only county to advance tiers this week, Ghaly said. It moved from red to orange.

Ghaly, during his announcement, touted the opening of a new Covid-19 testing lab in Valencia. By March, that lab will be able to process 150,000 tests per day, Health and Human Services officials said.

Ghaly said the additional testing capacity that the new lab provides will be “key” to schools reopening for in-person instruction.

“The additional lab capacity is going to be provided and offered to school districts from around the state, not just nearby to the lab,” Ghaly said. “At its full capacity, we know that monthly testing will be available to all teachers and school staff if those districts need it.”


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