City Reports Just One New COVID-19 Case on Sunday, As Orange Tier Arrives

City officials reported one new case of the coronavirus on Sunday and no new deaths, taking the city’s total to 11,151 and 335 deaths.

On Saturday, the city reported no new cases or fatalities.

A city official said they hoped people congregating for Easter and the Pasadena Unified School District’s spring break vacation would not lead to an increase in cases.

“We are encouraged with our numbers as we move into the Orange tier and hope it’s not spoiled by a spring break and holiday surge in positive cases in the coming days,” said Lisa Derderian, Pasadena public information officer.

“Our priority is continuing to vaccinate our community and we hope to receive more vaccines because we have the infrastructure in place to keep getting it in the arms of those in the eligible tier. We can’t emphasize enough the need to wear masks and follow strict COVID protocol,” Derderian said.

The new numbers were reported hours before the city was set to enter the less restrictive orange tier.

At 12:01 a.m. Monday, the city’s guidelines were adjusted to further loosen restrictions on local businesses.

In the orange tier:

• Restaurants may open for indoor dining at a maximum of 50% capacity or 200 people, whichever is fewer, in compliance with the protocol for restaurants, bars and breweries;

• Bars that are not able to provide a sit-down, bona fide meal with each alcohol transaction may operate outdoors with modifications — including closing for on-site consumption at 10 p.m. — and in compliance with the protocol for restaurants, bars and breweries;

• Breweries that are not able to provide a sit-down, bona fide meal may operate indoors at a maximum of 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer, with modifications and in compliance with the protocol for restaurants, bars and breweries;

• All retail may operate indoors at 75% capacity and with physical distancing, in compliance with the protocols for retail operations;

• Museums and galleries may open for indoor operations at a maximum capacity of 50%, in compliance with the protocol for museums and galleries;

• Movie theaters may operate indoors at a maximum of 50% capacity or 200 people, per auditorium, whichever is fewer, in compliance with the protocol for movie theaters;

• Hotels and lodging may operate with modifications in compliance with the protocol for hotels and updated protocols for restaurants, pools, and fitness facilities where applicable;

• Fitness facilities, gyms, yoga and dance studios may operate indoors at a maximum of 25% capacity, in compliance with the protocol for fitness facilities; and indoor pools may open at a maximum 25% capacity in compliance with the protocol for public pools;

• Offices may reopen indoors, in compliance with the protocol for office workspaces, but telework is strongly encouraged;

• Places of worship may operate indoors at 50% capacity, in compliance with the protocol for places of worship;

• Family entertainment centers may reopen for indoor operation at 25% capacity for naturally distanced activities, such as bowling, in compliance with the protocol for family entertainment centers.

Continued adherence to public health measures such as wearing masks, physical distancing and washing hands often can help keep COVID-19 cases low and prevent another surge, particularly as more indoor activities are permitted, more infectious variants become prevalent, and travel increases over spring break and the holidays.

On April 15 the state’s vaccination guidelines will once again be updated to allow anyone over 16 to be vaccinated.

Pasadena residents should submit their contact information on the Pasadena COVID-19 vaccine website to be added to the interest list. The website also provides options for vaccine appointments at pharmacies and through myturn.ca.gov.