Four more counties in Oregon upgraded to ‘extreme risk’, including Crook

25 counties now at ‘extreme risk’ level, also including Deschutes, Jefferson

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – Governor Kate Brown on Tuesday announced updates to county risk levels as part of the state’s new public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID- 19, four more counties that fall under the “extreme risk” category, for a total of 25.

The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on the spread of COVID-19 – extreme risk, high risk, moderate risk, and low risk – and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

From December 3 to December 17, 25 counties will be in the extreme risk level, including Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. Deschutes and Jefferson counties were in the initial list of extreme risk counties last week, while Crook County was in the high risk group.

In the updated list, five counties will be high risk, two counties will be moderate risk, and four counties will be low risk. A full list of counties and their associated risk levels can be found here.

“Counties that face an extreme risk of spreading the virus will need to continue to enforce strict health and safety measures, similar to the two-week freeze,” Brown said.

“I want to stress that there is no zero risk category,” she said. “Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available and we have strong participation, health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools, businesses and communities can reopen – and stay open.

“I ask all Oregonians to take these steps seriously,” the governor added. “The best way to protect your loved ones is to maintain a physical distance from others, avoid gatherings, wear a face mask, stay home in case of illness, and maintain good hand hygiene.”

The Oregon Health Authority will review and release the county’s data weekly. County risk levels will be reallocated every two weeks. The data from the first week will provide a “warning week” to prepare counties for possible changes in risk level. The next assignment of risk levels will take effect on December 18.

Updates to Warning Week data and county risk levels will be posted on coronavirus.oregon.gov.