3 more Bay Area counties could soon move into red tier

SAN FRANCISCO - Three more Bay Area counties could move into the red tier this week, as COVID-19 cases continue to decline.

San Francisco, Santa Clara and Napa counties are all expected to meet the state's requirements to move out of the most restrictive purple tier when changes are announced on Tuesday. Those three counties will join Marin and San Mateo counties in the less-restrictive red tier. 

The red tier allows for indoor dining and permits gyms and movie theaters to operate at a reduced capacity.

The Bay Area was one of California's hardest-hit regions after an upturn in COVID infections and hospitalizations over the holidays as people traveled and intermixed.

In early January the region was dealt a devastating blow after its ICU capacity dropped below 1%. In just two weeks, the Bay Area was to enhance its critical care capacity going from 0.7% availability on Jan. 11 to 23% capacity by Jan. 24. 

Since then the Bay Area has made significant strides in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, shifting focus from testing to vaccinations.