Today, May 4 the State announced that Kern County remains in the Orange Tier (Tier 3) of the COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This marks the fourth week our county has been in the Orange Tier.

Every county is assigned to one of four tiers based on the adjusted case rate, testing positivity rate and health equity metric. Below is a summary of Kern County’s current metrics and a comparison of Kern’s metrics last week:

Kern County must remain in the Orange Tier for at least three weeks before moving into the least restrictive Yellow Tier (Tier 4). Additionally, Kern must meet the Yellow Tier metrics for at least two consecutive weeks to be able to progress forward.

Vaccination remains the safest and quickest way to immunity and those 16 and older are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Public Health COVID-19 vaccine nurse hotline is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Call or text (661) 677-4177 to ask your vaccine related questions.

The Kern County Fairgrounds Mass Vaccination Clinic offers Pfizer vaccine from the comfort of your car or walk-thru. Currently, Pfizer is the only authorized vaccine for persons 16 and 17. The clinic operates Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can be made at http://www.MyTurn.ca.gov but are not required. Other vaccinating providers are available throughout the community and can be found on the Vaccinating Providers Map at phweb.kerncounty.com/Html5Viewer/index.html?viewer=COVID19Vaccination.