1 | Alert Level | Spread of COVID-19 (Disease Status) | Health Care System Capacity | Effectiveness of Disease Control | Overall | Community Measures* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | How much COVID-19 is occurring in our community? | Trends in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and availability of critical medical resources. | Effectiveness of community mitigation and public health efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. | This is based on the maximum level of Disease Status, Health Care System and Disease Control. | ||
3 | 1 | - Cases low and outbreaks rare | - Full capacity to safely care for cases while maintaining normal operations - No or rare health care worker infections | - Ability to fully isolate cases and quarantine contacts - Testing capacity available to manage widespread disease. | New Normal - Cases are somewhat sporadic, and contact tracing can be used to control the virus. Take everyday enhanced precautions. | - Follow local and state health orders and guidance* |
4 | 2 | - Moderately low burden - Controlled spread - Outbreaks infrequent | - Full ability to safely care for cases, but potential to begin impacting normal operations - Few health care worker infections | - Nearly full ability to isolate cases and quarantine contacts - Testing capacity available to manage high burden disease, but cannot manage large outbreaks. | Moderate Risk - Moderate number of cases with majority of cases from a known source. Increase efforts to limit personal exposure. | - Follow local and state health orders and guidance* |
5 | 3 | - Moderately high burden - Increasing spread - Some outbreaks | - Compromised capacity to safely care for cases that impacts normal operations - Some health care worker infections | - Some ability to isolate cases and quarantine contacts - Testing capacity to manage low-to-moderate burden disease; can manage only small to moderate outbreaks. | High Risk - Many cases with conditions for community spread, with many undetected cases likely. Limit everyday activities to increase safety. | - Follow local and state health orders and guidance* |
6 | 4 | - High burden - Widespread transmission - Many outbreaks | - Limited capacity to safely care for cases - Many health care worker infections | - Limited or no ability to isolate cases and quarantine contacts - Testing capacity to manage only low burden disease; can manage only small outbreaks. | Very High Risk - Widespread outbreak that is growing with many undetected cases. Take strong measures to limit all contact. | - Follow local and state health orders and guidance* |
7 | * At all levels, individuals should wash hands, cover coughs, wear a mask in public as indicated, stay home if sick, maintain physical distancing and keep surfaces clean. Vulnerable people 60 and older or those with underlying conditions or who are immunocompromised should minimize travel outside the home. Based on information from "Resolve To Save Lives" and "Vital Strategies COVID-19 Alert-Level System Indicators and Measures" |