Orange County was one-tenth of a percentage away from advancing to a less-restrictive set of reopening rules March 16. Although it missed the mark for the state’s most recent weekly review of COVID-19 data, it could reach the orange tier by April 7 if metrics continue a downward trend. Reaching the orange tier would allow…

Orange County’s graduation to a less-restrictive COVID-19 tier has come too late for some businesses, a local entrepreneur says. Tammy Niemann said her family-owned gym, Total Training, was forced to close its brick and mortar facility permanently largely due to state-imposed COVID-19 lockdowns. She said she felt the restrictions were hurting the chances of small businesses…

SANTA ANA—Orange County entered the less-restrictive red tier of the state’s coronavirus regulatory system March 14, allowing for bigger crowds in retail stores and the reopening of museums, movie theaters and indoor dining at restaurants. “We expected it—it’s almost anti-climactic at this point, but it’s a step forward. It gives people the relief they’ve been…

SANTA ANA—Orange County reported 110 new cases of COVID-19 and 53 additional deaths March 7, but officials said death reports over the next few days may be higher than usual as they clear the backlog created by technical issues in the state reporting database. The number of county residents hospitalized with the coronavirus decreased from…

Indoor gyms and theaters will likely reopen in Orange County later this month, if the region’s COVID-19 metrics continue their downward trend. Right now, Orange County falls under the state-mandated purple tier, meaning some of its non-essential businesses, fitness facilities and theatres must remain closed. Restaurants can remain open to facilitate takeout orders, or serve…