Imperial County officials have asked the governor to allow the Valley to advance to Stage II Low Risk in the State's Roadmap to Recovery.

According to the Imperial County Public Health Department the county has reached the goal of less than 8% positive tests for the coronavirus , Wednesday's number was 7.6%. If the state approves the county's request this will allow local businesses to begin to reopen. The county had reached Stage II Low Risk status in July but that was quickly ended when the number of patients with the virus spiked , local hospitals were transferring over 600 patients to other health care facilities as far away as the Bay Area. 

According to County Health officials , there has been a great decline in cases and hospitalizations in the past few weeks leading to the request for reopening to the Governor's office. In addition to the percentage of positive tests all other metrics have been met. Officials cautioned that if approval for reopening is granted by the state it would be one small step and that citizens must continue to adhere to the mandates and guidelines to contain the spread of the virus.