Orange County has been removed from California's COVID-19 watch list on Sunday, following a surge in cases and hospitalizations last month.

According to NBC Los Angeles, Orange County has been seeing improvements in many COVID-19 related metrics: case rate, positivity rate, average daily testing, hospitalizations, and percentage of available medical equipment. But it can still be put back on the watch list if it fails to exceed any one of the said COVID-19 metrics.

So far, the Orange County Health Care Agency reports a rate of 5.4 percent of residents testing positive for COVID-19. The rate is lower than the state's desired threshold of eight percent, reported the Los Angeles Times.

The county also has 58 percent of its ventilators and 29 percent of intensive care unit beds available. For the past reported 14-day period, the case rate per 100,000 residents is 90.2. 

Reopening Schools Could Be Close for Orange County

With the county off the watch list, it starts the clock for public schools possibly to open in early September.

The state mandates that a county has to be off the watchlist for 15 days for schools to reopen, Dr. Clayton Chau of the Health Agency said.

If Orange County can keep up with its current numbers, K-12 students will likely go back to in-person classes by early September, an ABC report said.

The decision to reopen schools will still depend on individual school districts. County officials said there are currently 24 private elementary schools and one public school district approved to reopen.

There are about 100 more schools that applied for the same permission and are awaiting approval.

"We will have to discuss risks for vulnerable children as well as addressing health issues in children such as obesity, diabetes, etc.," Chau said in an Orange County Register report.

Chau encouraged communities to continue with non-medical public health interventions. He urged them to promote face masks, physical distancing, hygiene measures, and staying at home. Parents must also be given an option for online learning. 

Not All Levels Are Offered In-Person Learning

State public health officials and teachers have offered in-person classes for elementary school children only. They understand that online learning can be difficult for young children.

This age group is also believed to be at lesser risk of developing COVID-19 than older children and adults. Chau himself is fearful and anxious about reopening schools.

"Do we expect that there might be an outbreak? Of course," he said. Despite this, he also knows that the pandemic's lockdown has caused emotional turmoil among children.

Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser noted that waivers could be sought to reopen schools if COVID-19 cases fall lower than 200 for every 100,000 people for two weeks.

At present, officials found 275 per 100,000. But Gunzenhauser said these numbers are dropping steadily. 

What Other Reopenings Could Take Place

Other than in-person teaching, it is not yet clear what more could shift back to normalcy in Orange County.

Residents and businesses are still bound by the state's July 13 health order that closed indoor malls, gyms, and salons.

The state's Department of Health said these businesses would have to stay closed even if the county is dropped from the watchlist until the order has been updated.

California Governor Gavin Newsom hinted on Wednesday that there might be changes to the state order in the coming weeks. 

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