Governor Kate Brown announced updates Tuesday to county risk levels under the state’s new public health framework that uses the four different risk levels system for counties based on COVID-19 spread–Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk. These levels assign health and safety measures for each level to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19.
Effective January 1st through January 14th, 5 of the 29 Oregon counties on the Extreme Risk list, including Clatsop, Coos, Douglas, Lincoln and Morrow will be lowered to the High Risk level. This leaves 24 of 36 Oregon counties, including Curry county, in the Extreme Risk level, 5 at High Risk, zero at Moderate Risk, and 7 at Lower Risk.
High Risk is the first level in which some businesses and facilities can resume offering indoor services with health and safety measures and capacity limits in place.
“After weeks of diligent work by local leaders and public health officials to implement health and safety measures in their communities, this week’s county data is a welcome sign that we are making progress in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon,” said Governor Brown. “The county risk level framework is meant to put us on track to reopen our schools, businesses, and communities. It is not easy. Oregon families and businesses have made incredible sacrifices. If we work together, we will see more counties begin to lower their COVID-19 risk levels. If communities let down their guard too early, we could see our hard-won progress unravel just as quickly.
“Every week, more Oregonians are being vaccinated against this deadly disease. But, until vaccines are widely available with high participation rates, the surest way to open our communities is to continue practicing the measures we know are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 — wear your mask, keep physical distance from others, avoid gatherings, wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick.”
