(Indianapolis, IN) - COVID-19 cases are dropping across the state and locally.   Most of the state was downgraded Wednesday from Code Red to Code Orange, including La Porte County, by the Indiana State Department of Health. 

According to ISDH, the number of people testing positive the past seven days in La Porte County is 12.1 percent.  For several weeks recently, the positivity rate here was above 15-percent, which resulted in moving up from Code Orange to Code Red. 

Just five Indiana counties remain in Code Red, according to ISDH.  ISDH said eight counties were upgraded to Code Yellow.

According to ISDH officials, a declaration of Code Orange doesn't mean restrictions in places like schools can loosen up right away.

The first week of a Code Orange declaration means counties are under a Code Red Advisory and must operate as if they were still under Code Red.

Restrictions can actually reflect Code Orange in counties designated as Code Orange for two consecutive weeks, ISDH officials said.