Central Coast counties move closer to red tier

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) Two Central Coast Counties are moving closer to qualifying for the red tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, according to data released by the state.

If San Benito County stays within the required criteria, it could be as close as two weeks away from moving to the red tier. Monterey County is also getting close to meeting the criteria.

In order to qualify for the red tier, counties must have a COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 of 7 or fewer and a positive test rate of 8% or less. San Benito County has a case rate of 4.9 and a positive test rate of 4.5%. Monterey County has a case rate of 9.0 and a positive test rate of 5%.

The case rate is adjusted based on how much testing is done in the county, and that brought Monterey County's case rate down by 1.7. According to the data, Monterey County is fourth in the state for most testing.

Both counties are currently in the purple tier, which is the most restrictive. Santa Cruz County moved to the red tier earlier this month.

See the current tier assignments and data below.