Kern reports 2 of 3 metrics needed for move into the yellow tier Ridgecrest Daily Independent Kern County reported orange tier numbers for the second straight week, moving closer to the state’s least restrictive tier. Kern County has to report orange tier numbers for another week, as well as yellow tier metrics before it can move into the next tier. This week, Kern reported a 1.5% countywide testing positivity rate and 2% health equity quartile testing positivity rate, meeting two of three needed metrics. The county reported an adjusted case rate of 3.7 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. Last week Kern County reported an adjusted case rate of 3.2, and in order to meet yellow tier criteria, Kern needs to report an adjusted case rate under 2.