North Carolina health officials are utilizing a county alert system to pinpoint counties with the highest levels of COVID-19 spread. The alert system uses metrics informed by the White House Coronavirus Task Force and North Carolina's key metrics to categorize counties into three tiers:Yellow: Significant community spreadOrange: Substantial community spreadRed: Critical community spread Health officials are using a mix of criteria to determine what tier is assigned to a county. According to the state, a county must meet the threshold of case rate for that tier and meet the threshold for either percent positive or hospital impact in that county. Counties that do not meet criteria for orange or red tier are categorized as being in the yellow tier and should continue to be vigilant to prevent further spread of COVID-19.This map of North Carolina below shows which counties are in what tiers, along with a table showing a county's case rate, percent positive and hospital impact. Can't see the map below? Click here to view the interactive experience. The alert system does include recommended actions for every county, as well as specific recommendations for orange and red counties.What should I be doing to help slow the spread in North Carolina?All individuals in yellow-tier counties are asked to the do the following:Wear a mask at all times outside the home and maintain physical distance from people who do not live in your householdGet a flu shotGet tested if symptomatic or if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19Participate in contact tracingAvoid large gatherings and crowdsIf you must host or attend a gathering, limit attendance to 10 or fewer, host outdoors and ventilate indoor spaces as much as possible (e.g., keep windows open)Avoid nonessential travelDownload the SlowCOVIDNC app and share with friends and familyAll individuals in orange and red counties are asked to take the actions listed above as well as the actions below:Limit mixing between households and minimize the number of people in your social circleAvoid settings where people congregate like outdoor bars and night clubs If patronizing restaurants, consider ordering takeout and/or eating outdoors socially distancedIndividuals who are high-risk for developing serious illness should consider staying at home as much as possibleReduce public interactions to mainly essential activities like going to work or schools, caring for family members, buying food, getting health care or picking up medicationsWhat should North Carolina businesses and community organizations be doing?All business and community organizations in yellow-tier counties are asked to the do the following:Share messages about the importance of wearing a mask and practicing the three Ws (wear, wait, wash)Post signs about three Ws at entrances in accordance with executive orderProvide face coverings to employees and patrons Support employees to stay home when sick Strongly encourage all employees to download and use the SlowCOVIDNC appFollow general guidance for businesses and organizations as well as industry-specific guidanceTake actions from the business toolkitCommunity and religious organizations are strongly encouraged to:Hold meetings, events, and/or services online/virtually, orLimit occupancy at indoor meetings, events, or services to ensure social distancing and require face coveringsAll businesses and community organizations in orange and red counties are asked to take the actions listed above as well as the actions below:All businesses are strongly encouraged to implement teleworking if feasible and cancel any nonessential work travelPromote Find My Testing Place website to employeesRequire all employees to participate in Count on Me NC trainingManufacturing, construction, food processing, farms — request a consultation from NCDHHS on reducing workplace transmission (919-707-5900)For higher education institutions: Adopt strict restrictions on student gatherings and events on-campus and off-campusClose indoor dining and move to grab and go Consider moving to single occupancy dorms or other single occupancy living arrangementsCommunity and religious organizations should avoid any in-person indoor meetings, events, worship services or other gatherings above the the indoor mass gathering limit What's being asked of public officials in North Carolina?Health officials are asking all public officials in all counties to do the following:Role model and actively promote the three Ws. Always wear a mask when you are with people you do not live withPost signs about the three Ws in all public buildingsWork with local media to share messages about the importance of wearing a mask and practicing the three WsHave all public employees download and use the SlowCOVIDNC appHealth officials are asking public officials in orange and red counties to take actions listed above as well as the following actions:Meet with state officials to discuss plans for mitigating spreadWork with the state to expand availability of no-cost testing to residents, especially prior to holiday travelWork with the state to increase availability of non-congregate housingIncrease messaging on the risk of serious disease for older individuals and individuals in all age groups with underlying health conditions and recommend those individuals stay at home as much as possibleAdopt ordinances that allow for the use of civil penalties for enforcement of the statewide restrictionsIncrease enforcement of mass gathering limits and masks with local law enforcement and other regulators or inspectors, like the fire marshalConsider adopting local ordinances to end alcohol sales for onsite consumption at an earlier timeConsider adopting local ordinances with additional restrictions for public facing businesses