REDDING, Calif. – New cases in Shasta County are still coming, but the average seven-day positivity rate dropped.

Shasta health leaders say testing numbers are going up, which is helping bring the county’s numbers down.

The high volume of testing helped drop the case rate from 33 to 29. Health leaders tell Action News Now that the number is still relatively high but it is a step in the right direction.

“Testing helps us bring our test positivity rate down and it can help us adjust our case rate down,” said Robin Schurig, the public health branch director.

“Which can eventually help us get out of the purple tier,” added Schurig.

“I think everybody should get tested,” commented Georgia Dukes of Redding. “If they have [coronavirus] they're just spreading it if they don't cover and stay home.”

In order for Shasta County to get back into the red tier, the case rate needs to be less than seven per 100,000.

While things are trending down, public health is urging people to stay home and avoid large gatherings over the New Year’s weekend.

Shasta County's positivity rate also went down more than two percentage points from 8.4 to 6.3.