Three More Oregon Counties Move Down To Lower Risk

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – As Oregon moves closer to lifting COVID-19 related restrictions statewide and reopening the economy, Gov. Kate Brown announced that 21 of the state’s 36 counties will increase capacity in restaurants, gyms, indoor entertainment venues and retail stores beginning on Wednesday.

Last month, Brown set statewide and county vaccination targets, with the hope of reopening the state’s economy by the end of June.

County risk level changes are updated each week, based on vaccination rates or declining case rates and positivity rates.

On Tuesday, Brown announced that three counties – Lane, Coos and Wasco – would be joining 18 other counties in the lowest risk level.

Here’s more from the Governor’s Office:

Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced updates to county risk levels under the state’s public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here.

Lane, Coos, and Wasco counties will move down to Lower Risk, and Josephine and Yamhill counties will move down to Moderate Risk, effective Wednesday, June 9. Harney County will move up from Lower Risk to Moderate Risk due to rising case counts, effective Friday, June 11. Harney County had been granted a caution period from June 4 through June 10. Effective through Thursday, June 17, there will be 21 counties at the Lower Risk level, 4 at Moderate Risk, and 11 at the High Risk level.

“Oregon is so close to more fully reopening our economy, and I am grateful to everyone who has stepped up to get vaccinated. We will soon need to reach fewer than 100,000 Oregonians to achieve our statewide vaccination goal of 70% and lift the county risk level framework,” said Governor Kate Brown.

“But, for unvaccinated individuals, COVID-19 remains as large a threat as it ever was. With more contagious variants spreading, far too many Oregonians are still being hospitalized when they could be protected with a vaccine. If you have been waiting to get vaccinated, go get your shot today. It’s never been easier to get an appointment, and you may just win $1 million through the Take Your Shot, Oregon campaign.”

On May 11, Governor Brown announced that counties that vaccinate at least 65% of their adult residents with at least one dose and submit documentation on how they will close equity gaps in their vaccination efforts are eligible to move to the Lower Risk level. A county vaccination data dashboard is available on OHA’s website. Please note that the dashboard displays state vaccine allocations only, and does not track federally administered vaccine doses. Lane County moved this week after achieving a 65% vaccination rate and submitting an equity plan. All other counties moved based on case counts and positivity rates. Complete equity plans are available here.