Health officials say Kern County continues to meet the state's metrics for operating in the red tier of their re-opening criteria with one category actually ranking in the 'orange' tier during that period.
Officials said they are impressed with the community's response to getting tested but are cautiously optimistic about maintaining those numbers with the election and the upcoming holidays on the horizon.
"So we know that how COVID-19 spreads is you know if we are gathering together if we are not wearing face coverings. We know these are riskier environments for this disease to spread, so certainly are very concerned when we are aware of any potential gatherings that have occurred. We saw a bit of a spike after the 4th of July holiday, it would be around 14 days that we really start looking that that could occur," said public health's Michelle Corson.
If the countywide adjusted case rate and health equity testing positivity rate metrics are able to also improve and meet the orange tier metrics for two weeks the county can make the move up in the rankings
And while Corson made sure to remind residents COVID-19 is still here, she gave the county praise for testing improvements. And to help Kern County move into the next tier public health is asking residents to ramp it up even more.
The Kern Latino COVID-19 Task Force is giving residents an opportunity. They will be hosting another free testing event Saturday, November 7th starting at 9 a.m. It will be held at the Vallarta Supermarket at 820 Main Street in Delano. Walk-ins are welcomed and encouraged as there is no pre-registration required.
