Alpine County moves into the Red Tier

As of noon Saturday, Alpine County has been assigned by the California Department of Public Health to the Red Tier in the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This move is based on statistical data which includes:
- Test Positivity (7-day average with a 4-day lag) – 5.8 percent
- Total new cases (7-day total with a 4-day lag) – 6

Being the smallest county in the state with about 1,200 residents, their increasing case load has concerned Public Health Officer, Dr. Richard Johnson.

Johnson said Alpine County's cases are being caused by people in small gatherings from multiple households visiting family, friends, and neighbors without regard for face coverings or social distancing.

"We are also concerned about inconsistent use of face coverings and social distancing in the workplace," said Dr. Johnson.

All areas surrounding Alpine County - especially Douglas County, Carson City, Reno, and South Lake Tahoe – are all seeing a surge of cases.

Johnson said traveling to those areas presents a significant risk of bringing infection back into the Alpine County community.

"I recognize that many of you live there or need to shop there or seek medical care or a pharmacy in those jurisdictions. It is doubly important that you are compulsive with wearing a face covering and keeping your distance from others, especially any not from your household who are not masked!" added Dr. Johnson.

“Restaurants, wineries, and bars are the business sector that is most impacted in Alpine County by the change in tiers. Indoor dining is restricted to 25 percent occupancy (occupancy as defined by the Fire Marshal), with outdoor dining and take-out permitted. Just as in other areas like South Lake Tahoe, some businesses have created or erected temporary structures for outdoor dining.

On Friday, Alpine County had three new cases of COVID-19, bringing tis total to 50 confirmed cases. One person remains hospitalized. Cases have been centered in the Markleville and Woodfords area.

"We recognize the economic difficulties that are only worsened by these restrictions. However, Alpine County is not permitted to have guidance and restrictions less restrictive than the state – only stricter, which we do not
have. As you already know, we are in a very dangerous phase of this pandemic, and must do everything in our power as individuals, families, community, and business to protect us all from widespread illness and death," said Dr. Johnson in a message to the community.

To find out how each business is affected by tiers, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.