February 25, 2021 10:30 a.m.

Governor Kate Brown has extended her declaration of a state of emergency for COVID-19 for 60 days, until May 2nd.

Brown said, “When I issued my first state of emergency declaration last March, there were 14 known cases of COVID-19 in Oregon”. She said now there have been more than 150,000 cases across the state, and 2,194 deaths.

Brown said throughout the pandemic, Oregonians have made smart choices that have protected families and loved ones and have saved thousands of lives. Brown said Oregon’s infection and mortality rates have consistently remained some of the lowest in the country. She said, “And, for the first time, COVID-19 critical care units are seeing fewer and fewer patients”.

Brown said as thousands of people are being vaccinated each day, and more school buildings are being reopened, “…now is not the time to let up our guard”. Brown encouraged residents to continue wearing masks, staying home when sick, maintaining physical distance and avoiding social gatherings.

Brown’s release said the declaration is the legal underpinning for the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders and the Oregon Health Authority’s health and safety guidance. Emergency orders are reevaluated every 60 days. The findings of the review process is linked: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eyRFIiiFcXHxHjakXj-nF-mbUFCmdEfp/view