Orange County is still in the red tier of California's coronavirus monitoring system despite the lowering number of hospitalizations.

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Orange County was at 186 on Saturday, along with 24 additional deaths. This brings the county's total to 55,531 cases and 1,340 deaths, reported NBC Los Angeles.

To get off red tier and into the less-restrictive orange tier, Orange County has to get an average closer to 130 daily cases for COVID-19.

Getting off the red tier also requires the county to reach a positivity rate of 2% to 4%, with a case rate of 1% to 3.9% per 100,000.

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Nurses and supporters protest about the lack of personal protective gear available at UCI Medical Center amid the coronavirus pandemic on April 3, 2020 in Orange, California.

If it does move on to the orange tier, retail businesses will be allowed to open at full capacity. Right now, these businesses are only 50% open, as required by red tier.

Shopping malls will also be allowed to open at full capacity, with its common areas closed and with reduced food courts.

Cases that need to be hospitalized were at 169 and 61 of those patients received intensive care treatments, said a Los Angeles Times report.

Heath Officials Show Optimism

The new daily cases prompted some pleased reactions from Orange County Health Care Agency officials Friday, especially since the number is now below 200.

There were decreases in hospitalization data. From 176 cases on Friday only 169 were hospitalized on Saturday, dropping the ICU care from 62 to 61.

The three-day average of hospitalized patients also decreased from 6.4% to -1.9%. The county's positivity rate, as of Tuesday, is at 3.2% and the daily case rate per 100,000 is at 5.2.

As for hospital equipment, there are 32% of intensive care unit beds and 68% of ventilators available for use.

Orange County CEO Frank Kim said the county's numbers "are heading in the right direction."

He also praised efforts from universities like U.C. Irvine. "My understanding is they're doing 4,000 tests and will be ramping up to 7,000 a week," Kim told CBS Los Angeles.

He commended the university's "aggressive" testing on students and staff.

What Does Each Tier Mean?

Orange County is now at the second tier in the state's color-coded guidelines for reopening.

At one time during the pandemic, it inched closer towards the third, orange tier. But due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, the county remained in the red tier.

There are four color-coded tiers: the most restrictive is purple, followed by red, orange and yellow.

According to New York Times, there were 38 purple tier counties since the system was introduced in August. This week, the number dropped to only 16 counties.

These counties reported widespread infection and most indoor businesses remained closed.

If a county is in the red tier, it means they sustained a substantial spread of infections but are allowed some indoor activities at limited capacities.

There are currently 24 counties on this tier. Schools will be allowed to hold in-person classes if they've been on this tier for two weeks.

For the two lowest tiers, there are 18 counties included. There are less restrictions here, allowing indoor activities like eating in restaurants. So far, there are no plans to create a lower tier with less COVID-19 restrictions.

Check these out!

California Gov. Newsom's Office: 'Don't Forget to Keep Your Mask on in Between Bites'

California Theme Parks Need to Stay Closed, Newsom Says

2,100 LA County Voters Receive Mail-In Ballots Without Presidential Candidates