A loosening of COVID-19 restrictions still remains just out of reach in Del Norte County.According to the county’s case data, it was close to a reduction last week, with data qualifying for the orange tier of virus restrictions, but a recent increase could squander that progress.The county’s April 18 through 24 case rate and test positivity rate were below the threshold for the orange tier of virus restrictions, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. After two weeks with rates at that level, the county could move to the new tier.#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');A change in tiers would be the county’s first in three months, a longer wait than any other California county. The reduction would increase the allowable capacity in the county’s indoor bars, restaurants and other businesses.But the county has continued to report new cases of the virus.As of Monday, the county’s public health department was reporting 45 active cases of the virus, up substantially from 14 the previous Monday.Data from that week will be reviewed by state health officials Tuesday to determine the county’s latest level of restrictions.Last week’s data did have an impact for the rest of the state, with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Trinity counties all advancing to the yellow tier of restrictions this week.On the vaccine front, Del Norte County has now administered around 14,400 doses of the vaccine, according to CDPH data. Statewide, just over 40% of the state is fully vaccinated.County health officials are still holding weekly vaccination events on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds. Limited clinics are also available at Smith River Elementary School. Registration is available online at https://myturn.as.me/schedule.php or by calling 707-951-6679.Sutter Health is also offering clinics on Thursdays and Fridays. More information is online at www.sutterhealth.org/coast/for-patients/health-alerts/covid-19-vaccine.A handful of local pharmacies are also offering vaccines: RiteAid is making appointments online at www.riteaid.com/covid-19, Safeway is making appointments online at www.safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html​ and Walgreens is making appointments online at www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19​ or by phone at 1-800-WALGREENS.Walmart is also making vaccine appointments online at www.walmart.com/COVIDvaccine. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });