April 27, 2021 11:50 a.m.

While Douglas County is moving down to Moderate Risk level for COVID-19, with hospitalizations rising above 300 people statewide, 15 counties in Oregon are going to Extreme Risk, under updates to county risk levels issued on Tuesday from Governor Kate Brown.

Brown said nine counties will be at High Risk level, four will be at Moderate Risk and eight at Lower Risk. Those levels will be in place from this Friday through May 6th.

Brown said “If we don’t act now, doctors, nurses, hospitals and health care providers in Oregon will be stretched to their limits treating severe cases of COVID-19.”. She said, “Today’s announcement will save lives and help stop COVID-19 hospitalizations from spiking even higher”. Brown said with new COVID-19 variants widespread in so many communities, “it will take all of us working together to bring this back under control”

A release said Brown is partnering with lawmakers to approve a $20 million small business emergency relief package to immediately support impacted businesses in Extreme Risk counties through the commercial rent relief program.

The release said in an effort to speed up the return to normal business operations, county COVID-19 data will be evaluated weekly for at least the next three weeks. Any updates to county risk levels will be announced on May 4th and take effect on May 7th.

Brown urged Oregonians who gather with others, to do so outdoors. Brown said “…indoor transmission is a key driver in the COVID-19 surge that is making renewed health and safety restrictions necessary”.

A complete list of counties and their risk levels is available: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19KtrH6AM5jsHXzLkeU87-_314soO8bdq/view