The Los Angeles Post

State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts

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Guidance Released for Amusement and Theme Parks, Outdoor Live Events and Graduation Ceremonies

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the most recent COVID-19 statistics and updates on the state’s pandemic response.

The state released several updates to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening framework with a focus on activities that can be conducted outdoors with consistent masking, two factors that are scientifically shown to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. Activities are allowed based on local conditions, and each county is assigned to a COVID-19 risk-level tier.

Amusement & Theme Parks and Outdoor Seated Live Events & Performances

The state’s updated industry guidance allows amusement and theme parks and outdoor seated live events and performances, including ballparks, stadiums and event venues, to open beginning April 1 with significantly reduced capacity, fixed seating, mandatory masking and other public health precautions.

Graduation Ceremonies

The new guidance for commencement and graduation ceremonies which provides recommendations to help students, teachers, families and school administrators celebrate academic milestones while also preventing the spread of COVID-19. Ceremonies must adhere to all California COVID-19 protocols for schools, travel, outdoor events and lodging.

Statewide COVID-19 Data as of Today

  • California has 3,555,915 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed.

  • There were 2,608 newly recorded confirmed cases Thursday.

  • The 7-day positivity rate is 1.9%.

  • There have been 52,962,296 tests conducted in California. This represents an increase of 137,122 during the prior 24-hour reporting period.

  • There have been 57,336 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

  • As of March 25, providers have reported administering a total of 16,392,678 vaccine doses statewide. The CDC reports that 20,802,720 doses have been delivered to entities within the state. Numbers do not represent true day-to-day change as reporting may be delayed. For more vaccination data, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard.

Vaccine Eligibility Update

With supply of vaccines expected to significantly increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to more Californians. Starting April 1, individuals aged 50+ will be eligible to make an appointment, and individuals 16+ will be eligible to make an appointment to be vaccinated starting on April 15. To sign up for a notification when you’re eligible for a vaccine, please visit myturn.ca.gov. For more information on the vaccine effort, visit Vaccinate All 58.

Tracking Variants

Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been identified globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. These genetic mutations are expected, and some emerge and then disappear, while others persist or become common. Most variants do not have a meaningful impact. Public health becomes concerned about a variant when it affects COVID-19 transmission, severity, testing, treatment or vaccine effectiveness. Get more information on the variants CDPH is currently monitoring.

Blueprint for a Safer Economy

All counties are under the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity. CDPH modified Blueprint thresholds on March 12 after the state successfully met its first vaccine equity milestone of 2 million administered vaccine doses in some of the state’s hardest hit communities.

Blueprint Summary (as of March 23)

  • 8 counties in the Purple (widespread) Tier
  • 39 counties in the Red (substantial) Tier
  • 9 counties in Orange (moderate) Tier
  • 2 counties in Yellow (minimal) Tier

 

Blueprint tiers are updated weekly on Tuesdays. Find the status of activities in specific counties.