Cases down, vaccines up

Butte County enters the orange tier as pandemic slowly winds down

With COVID-19 rates dropping and much of the region downgraded to California’s orange tier, Butte County Public Health has expanded vaccination eligibility and opportunities.

Vaccine clinics are now open to any county resident 16 or older. Previously, per state orders, Public Health followed a prioritization system based on age, job sector and adverse health conditions.

Shots are available through community clinics and the pharmacies in Chico, Oroville, Paradise and Gridley. Visit buttecounty.net/ph/covid19/vaccine for details on locations and scheduling appointments. Around 30 percent of county residents are at least partially vaccinated.

As of April 5, coronavirus had sickened 11,176 in Butte County, killing 178. But after a winter surge, the spread has slowed. From March 1 to April 1, BCPH recorded 342 new cases. In contrast, the count for Dec. 11 alone was 240, and no week’s total has approached 100 cases since February. The county’s most recent death came March 13.

State officials moved Butte County into the orange (or moderate) tier effective March 31, loosening restrictions on businesses’ indoor operations.

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