On Tuesday, the Oregon Health Authority ordered Lane County to remain in the “Extreme risk” category for COVID-19 transmission. This, while 12 other Oregon counties are downgraded.
Despite recent, steady drops in daily case numbers, OHA found Lane County's total case count (over the last two weeks) was 27 cases too high. Communities in “Extreme Risk” are restricted from re-opening indoor dining and gyms and must limit capacity for most businesses and places of worship.
While more populous counties like Multnomah were downgraded, Lane County must continue to operate at the highest risk category for at least two more weeks.
Spokesperson Jason Davis said some elected officials have been actively advocating for the county to be moved down in risk status. He says it's important that when the county is moved to improved risk levels, that we stay there.
“It’s a fine line between acknowledging the fact that our economy is suffering from the pandemic and we certainly want our businesses to reopen as soon as possible and as soon as it’s safe," he said " And also looking at the overall safety.”
Davis said it is likely that some of the new, more contagious variants of the virus are circulating in Lane County communities. He urges residents to remain vigilant with personal protection.
The full list of activities and risk levels for Oregon counties is available here.
The updated county risk levels, effective Friday Feb. 12:
Lower Risk (8)
- Baker (Moved from High)
- Curry
- Gilliam
- Grant (Moved from Moderate)
- Harney
- Sherman
- Tillamook
- Wallowa
- Wheeler
Moderate Risk (3)
- Lake (Moved from Lower)
- Morrow (Moved from Extreme)
High Risk (11)
- Douglas
- Clackamas (Moved from Extreme)
- Clatsop (Moved from Extreme)
- Columbia (Moved from Extreme)
- Deschutes (Moved from Extreme)
- Hood River (Moved from Extreme)
- Klamath (Moved from Extreme)
- Linn (Moved from Extreme)
- Lincoln
- Multnomah (Moved from Extreme)
- Washington (Moved from Extreme)
Extreme Risk (14)
- Benton
- Coos
- Crook
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Josephine
- Lane
- Malheur
- Marion
- Polk
- Umatilla
- Union
- Wasco
- Yamhill
