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State Officials Announce Latest COVID-19 Facts

Date: March 26, 2021
Number: NR21-101
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov

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

SACRAMENTO ā€“ 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.

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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 county in the Yellow (minimal) Tier

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

ADDITIONAL DATA & UPDATES

Tracking COVID-19 in California

State Dashboard ā€“ Daily COVID-19 data

County Map ā€“ Local data, including tier status and ICU capacity

Data and Tools ā€“ Models and dashboards for researchers, scientists and the public

Blueprint for a Safer Economy ā€“ Data for establishing tier status

COVID-19 Race & Ethnicity Data ā€“ Weekly updated Race & Ethnicity data

Cases and Deaths by Age Group ā€“ Weekly updated Deaths by Age Group data

Health Equity Dashboard ā€“ See how COVID-19 highlights existing inequities in health

Safe Schools for All

Governor Gavin Newsom launched the Safe Schools for All Hub as a one-stop shop for information about safe in-person instruction. The state has updated its schools reopening maps to include outbreak data by school district. View the data for public schools by selecting a specific district on the School Districts Reopening Map. The map includes reported outbreaks since January 1, 2021.

Travel Advisory

California has a travel advisory in place. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Non-essential travelers from other states or countries are strongly discouraged from entering California and should adhere to the state's 10 day self-quarantine guidance.

Health Care Workers

As of March 25, local health departments have reported 101,642 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 442 deaths statewide

Testing Turnaround Time

The testing turnaround time dashboard reports how long California patients are waiting for COVID-19 test results. During the week of March 7 to March 13, the average time patients waited for test results was one day. During this same time period, 81% of patients received test results in one day and 95% received them within two days

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

As of March 22, there have been 413 cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) reported statewide. MIS-C is a rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19 that can damage multiple organ systems. MIS-C can require hospitalization and be life threatening.

Your Actions Save Lives

Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches), call your health care provider.

  • If you believe you have been exposed, get tested. Free, confidential testing is available statewide.

  • Get vaccinated when it's your turn.

  • Limit interactions to people who live in your household and follow state and local public health guidance.

  • Wear a mask and get the most out of masking - an effective mask has both good fit and good filtration.

  • Avoid non-essential travel and stay close to home; self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival if you leave the state.

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home from work, school and other people if you feel ill.

  • Add your phone to the fight by signing up for COVID-19 exposure notifications from CA Notify.

  • Answer the call or text if a contact tracer from the CA COVID Team or your local health department tries to connect.

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