BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Kern County officials are asking residents to go get tested for COVID-19 in order for the county to move up into the next tier in Gov. Newsom's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Counties are placed within tiers because of their daily case rate and positivity rate. Additionally, the case rate criteria is artificially increased if a County’s rate of testing is less than the State’s median test rate.

Kern County has achieved the positivity rate that will allow it to move to the Red Tier with 6.5%, however, the case rate, because of the artificial offset, remains higher than the state’s requirement. Kern County’s unadjusted case rate is 6.3, however, because of the artificial offset, was reported as 7.2.

The county is currently assigned to the Purple Tier, where the COVID-19 virus is considered widespread. Based on the state’s criteria, increased testing will result in a lower case rate, allowing the move to the Red Tier where the virus spread is considered substantial.

There are nine free County or State testing sites spread throughout Kern County, both walk-in and drive-up services. To find locations and make an appointment, go online to kerncounty.com or call 211.