Rise in COVID-19 cases pushes many California counties back in tiers

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - California is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and state health officials today moved several counties back into more restrictive tiers to stem the tide of the pandemic.

With this direction, El Dorado County was to move into the red tier, the one reserved for areas with substantial cases, but the county has entered the state's tier adjudication process and asked to remain in the orange tier.

During the adjudication process the county will stay in orange, but if it is denied, the county moves into the red tier. This could be as early as Friday, November 13 but the state has until November 17 to approve or deny the request.

“Today, the County will use the State’s adjudication process to make a case to remain in our current tier," said El Dorado County Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams. "We moved through a similar spike in cases over the summer and since we are not seeing a rise in the other areas the State considers when making its tier assignments, I am advocating for El Dorado to stay in the Orange tier."

If El Dorado County must move into the red tier the primary impact will be on restaurants, bars, wineries and churches. These establishments will have to reduce indoor capacity from 50 percent to 25 percent. Hair salons, barber shops and personal services may remain open indoors with modifications.

“Now more than ever it’s important to minimize mixing and get-togethers with people outside your household, wash your hands and wear face coverings," added Dr. Williams. "These are the personal actions that will bring our case numbers back into the Orange tier and eventually into the even less restrictive Yellow tier."

The Lake Tahoe area of the county (South Lake Tahoe, Meyers, Tahoma, Strawberry) has seen a steady number of positive cases over the last two weeks. Since October 27 there have been 176 news cases in the county, 52 of those in the Lake Tahoe area. Currently there are 172 active cases per 100,000 people, the formula used by the state. .

During Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting she said the local data does not show that current restaurant occupancy is a spreader of the virus. Though she did say we shouldn't be at the point were masks come off the minute people are seated at a table. Masks are not necessary during eating and drinking.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District made the move Monday to remain in Phase 2 of its reopening plan with any changes not possible until January 21, 2021.

Sacramento County went back into the purple tier Tuesday, and counties moving back into the red tier include Amador, Placer, and Contra Costa. Eleven counties in total were moved backwards in tiers. Nevada County remains in the moderate, or orange, tier. Several counties have never left the purple tier including Los Angeles, Madera, Imperial and Monterey.

The latest spikes have been attributed to coronavirus pandemic fatigue, people letting their guard down, Halloween parties and the defiance of state requirements on operations. The City of South Lake Tahoe still has a mandatory ordinance in place and masks must be worn in public. Fines of $100 for individuals not wearing a mask and $500 for businesses allowing no masks are still in place.