May 11, 2021 4:10 p.m.
On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown announced vaccination targets to more fully reopen Oregon’s economy, setting a 70 percent statewide goal to reach Oregonians 16 and older with a first dose, to lift most Risk Level restrictions.
Brown said beginning on May 21st, counties will have the option of moving to Lower Risk once 65 percent of county residents age 16 and older have received at least one vaccine dose, and counties have submitted a plan to close equity gaps in vaccination.
Brown said, “Thanks to you, Oregon, it looks like we’ve crossed the tipping point of the fourth surge”. Brown said hospitalization rates have stabilized and infection rates are on a downward trajectory. She said in the race between vaccines and variants, “…our efforts to vaccinate Oregonians are taking the lead”.
Brown said there is still some work to do to reach the 70 percent goal, but she is confident the state can get there in June and “…return Oregon to a sense of normalcy”.
Brown’s release said:
*After achieving 70 percent, Oregon may continue requiring some use of masks and physical distancing and will continue to evaluate the use of those tools as more is learned from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Oregon’s COVID-19 conditions and experience is evaluated
*All other health and safety requirements for counties under the Risk Level framework will be lifted and counties will no longer be assigned risk levels when the 70 percent goal is reached
*Statewide, Oregon must continue to work towards closing equity gaps for communities of color
Brown said beginning May 21st, counties will have the option to move weekly to the Lower Risk level. To move to Lower Risk counties must:
*Reach 65 percent of the county population age 16 and older with a first vaccine dose
*Submit a complete plan to the Oregon Health Authority that details how the county will close the equity gaps in their vaccination efforts.
*Counties will be eligible for state resources to help achieve these goals, and will be eligible for additional funding as they demonstrate making progress towards closing their equity gaps.