Photo via Unsplash, Lili Popper. 

Effective immediately, all regions are no longer in California’s stay-at-home order, Governor Gavin Newsom announced during a press conference Monday afternoon.

Five weeks after the stay-at-home order began in regions where ICU availability is less than 15%, the same regions are seeing some form of “normalcy” as orders are lifted due to a 4 week projection of ICU capacity meeting or exceeding 15%. The entire state is lifting its 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and restaurants in approved regions can resume outdoor dining. The regions affected are the Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, covering a majority of the state’s counties.

“Each region’s a little bit different, but we are in a position projected four weeks forward with a significant decline in the case rates positivity rates, we are anticipating decline,” Governor Newsom said. “Still more decline hospitalizations and more declines in ICU, and that’s why we’re lifting that stay at home, order effective immediately.”

The Bay Area’s projected ICU capacity is 25%. Projected capacity depends on 4 variables:

• Current estimated ICU capacity available
• Current community transmission
• Current regional case rates
• Proportion of cases admitted to the ICU

Currently, 54 out of California’s 58 counties are in the purple tier of Newsom’s color-coded tier system, which is notably more relaxed than the stay-at-home order, but does not allow non-essential businesses to open.

Purple (widespread) Tier Allows:

• Restaurants may open for outdoor dining with modifications
• Nail & hair salons may reopen indoors with modifications including limited capacity, 100% masking
• Certain youth sports competitions may resume

Newsom shared an updated on coronavirus numbers:

#COVID19 UPDATE:

– Cases are down 37.9% over last 7 days

– Yesterday, we performed 403,193 tests

– Average test positivity rate: 8%

– Hospitalizations: down 20% in last 2 weeks

– ICU admissions: down 10% in last 2 weeks

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 25, 2021

Sadly, California lost 328 lives on January 24th, averaging 504 deaths over a 7 day average and 7,062 over a 14 day average.

Newsom explained the best way to end the coronavirus pandemic is through the vaccine. Newsom laid out the California’s steps to “Vaccinate all 58”.

1. Simplifying our vaccine eligibility framework:

– CA is moving to a single, statewide, baseline standard

– Continue through 65+ and healthcare workers, prioritize first responders, food & ag workers, teachers & school staff

-From there, transition to age-based eligibility

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 25, 2021

3. Supply issues must be addressed.

We have directed providers to use their supply, or we will reallocate it to providers who will.

CA is working to move to a unified, statewide network to maintain consistency and accountability.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 25, 2021

Watch the full press conference here.