January 12, 2021 4:00 p.m.

Four counties in Oregon are moving back to the Extreme Risk category, under updates to county risk levels for COVID-19, announced by Governor Kate Brown on Tuesday.

A release from Brown said from this Friday through January 28th, there will be 26 counties at the Extreme Risk level. Two will be at High Risk, two at Moderate Risk and six at Lower Risk.

Brown said with some counties heading back to the top risk level, “…we are reminded that health and safety measures continue to be of utmost importance, even when we slow the spread of COVID-19”. Brown asked residents to “…continue to do their part by abiding by the health and safety guidelines in place”, including wearing face coverings, keeping physical distance from others, avoiding gatherings, washing hands often and staying home when sick.

Baker, Clatsop, Coos and Morrow counties are returning to Extreme Risk. Douglas and Lincoln County stay at High Risk. Curry County will drop from Extreme Risk to Moderate Risk. Lake County is going up to Moderate Risk from Lower Risk.

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels are assigned every two weeks. The first week’s data is used to provide a “warning week” to prepare counties for possible risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced on January 26th and will take effect January 29th.

A link to the entire risk list is posted: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YcTftb1vW2oqbQegu4zpJf1BsZ0uLtr1/view