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Davie County coronavirous status moved from Code Red to Code Orange last week – but that doesn’t mean folks should let down their guard.

Four additional county residents have died after contracting COVID-19, and eight more are in the hospital, according to a report released Monday by Davie Health and Human Services.

Also, 299 county residents are fighting the infection.

The state’s guidelines for Code Red (critical spread) and Code Orange (significant spread) counties do not differ. Residents are encouraged to stay at home as often as possible, and avoid close contact with anyone other than those in your own household.

Davie’s status was reduced because the percentage of positive tests fell below 10 percent to 9.5 percent. It had been 12.2 percent. Also, the cases here are not expected to make a significant impact on hospital capacity.

Davie did fall under one of the criteria for community spread of the virus, with a 620.8 per 100,000 resident rate of residents contracting the virus. The state wants that number to be below 200.

While vaccines are being administered this week, it will likely be months before they are available to the general public.

Courthouses were ordered closed for 30 days Monday to all but essential services. Davie had at least one positive case in the courthouse.

“This pause is necessary to protect the health and safety of court personnel and the public,” Chief NC Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley said.