Infection rates and hospitalizations throughout Orange County have continued to decline in the last two weeks, according to The New York Times.
The county’s case rate fell from nine per 100,000 residents two weeks ago to six as of yesterday, about half of the current national average.
In the same period, virus-related hospitalizations fell 42% to 256 – which is roughly one-fifth of the hospitalizations reported during the January peak.
Orange County’s K-12 schools and child care facilities will lift the mask mandate at 11:59 p.m. Friday.
While the COVID-19 situation has “dramatically improved,” Orange County Health Care Agency’s Director Dr. Clayton Chau told reporters during a news conference on Tuesday that it is “strongly recommended” for the public to continue following safety precautions even as the state mandates ease up.
