Laredo, TX introduces Color Coded Advisory System to inform public of COVID-19 status

City implements new color coded COVID-19 system

Based on this new color coded system, with the 382 cases that are active as of Monday, we are sitting at a level four red, the highest level on the new system.

Laredo unveils coronavirus advisory system, city at highest level - Laredo Morning Times

On the same day the city debuted its new color-coded coronavirus advisory system with Laredo already at the highest warning level, officials continued to express worry over Laredo's increasing positivity rate, incidence rate and hospitalization rate for the novel coronavirus. Nineteen more cases were reported on Monday afternoon, bringing the city's total to 948 since testing began in March. Laredo is coming off its most cases over a one-week span with 199 last week - more than double the previous high. Laredo has 6,790 people who have tested for the coronavirus while 5,100 have been negative. The number of active cases in Laredo up to 382, 16 of which are health care workers. Sixteen people are currently hospitalized and 12 of these are in intensive care. The city remains at 22 deaths. A total of 742 cases are still pending results. The city on Monday unveiled its color-coded system to inform the public of their risk of contracting the virus based on the number of active cases in the community. With more than 250 active cases, Laredo is currently at a Level 4 risk, or the highest level of Red on the scale. This means Laredoans are asked to stay home as much as possible. If the city gets to a point where there are less than 50 active cases, Laredo would be at a Level 1 risk, or Green, as residents would be permitted to resume normal daily activity while using face masks. Level 2 is Yellow, less than 150 active cases, while Level 3 is Orange, less than 250 active cases. Yellow asks residents to remain vigilant by using face masks, practicing social distancing outside the home, limit gatherings to groups of 10 and practice good hygiene. Meanwhile, Orange stresses contact be minimized with all people and masks be worn while implementing physical distancing and...