Alameda County Anticipates Move Into More-Restrictive Tier Soon

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — The Alameda County Public Health Department announced Thursday that it would pause plans to reopen additional activities amid a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county.

Alameda County is currently in the orange, "moderate risk" tier of the state's color-coded, four-tiered COVID-19 risk system. County public health officials also said that they anticipate a move into the more-restrictive red, "substantial risk" tier soon — and possibly the most-restrictive purple, "widespread risk" tier if trends continue.

If necessary, Alameda County will move to restrict higher-risk activities, including those involving people gathering indoors without masks, said Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss in a news release.

“We must exercise caution and prepare to move quickly to protect our residents and hospitals from rising cases of COVID-19,” Moss said in the release.

Here's how Alameda County's COVID-19 metrics on overall daily case and testing positivity rates compare to the standards for the orange, red and purple tiers, as of Thursday:

The Alameda County Public Health Department has thus far taken a conservative approach to reopening and opted to implement more safety restrictions than the state requires. The county said this has allowed it to avoid reclosing activities, but officials are now eyeing an "alarming increase in cases we see in states across the country at a time when families may want to travel and gather," the department said in the news release.

Cooling weather amid upcoming holidays will lead to more people gathering indoors, while the flu season will likely place an additional burden on the health care system, the county said.

County public health officials urge the public to stay home when sick, wear masks, maintain six feet from others not in your household, frequently wash hands and get a flu shot. The public is also asked to review guidelines on Thanksgiving and holiday travel.

Read: Alameda County Health Officer Issues Thanksgiving Guidance

As of Thursday, 25,249 Alameda County residents have tested positive for COVID-19. There have been 483 associated deaths.

Get more detailed information on the county's COVID-19 statistics here or by using the widget below (use the scroll on the right):