16 Oregon Counties Improve Covid-19 Risk Level

Governor Kate Brown today announced that 16 counties improved in risk level, with 10 of those improving from Extreme Risk. County risk levels under the state's public health framework aim to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

Effective February 26 through March 11, there will be five counties in the Extreme Risk level, 11 at High Risk, 10 at Moderate Risk, and 10 at Lower Risk. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here.

“For the second time in a row, we are seeing great progress in stopping the spread of COVID-19 across Oregon and saving lives," said Governor Brown. "Oregonians continue to step up and make smart choices. While these county movements are welcome news, we must continue to take seriously health and safety measures, especially as more businesses reopen and we start to get out more. As we see infection rates going down and vaccinations ramping up, now is not the time to let down our guard. Continue to wear your masks, keep physical distance, and avoid indoor gatherings."

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week's data will provide a "warning week" to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced March 9 and take effect March 12. 

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

County Risk Categories, Effective February 26 – March 11 (Data as of February 20, 2021) 

Lower Risk (10)  

Baker  
Clatsop (Moved from High) 
Gilliam
Grant 
Lincoln (Moved from High) 
Sherman  
Tillamook 
Wallowa  
Wasco (Moved from Extreme) 
Wheeler  

Moderate Risk (10)  

Clackamas (Moved from High) 
Curry (Moved from Lower) 
Harney (Moved from Lower) 
Hood River (Moved from High) 
Lake  
Linn (Moved from High) 
Malheur (Moved from Extreme) 
Morrow 
Union (Moved from Extreme) 
Washington (Moved from High) 

High Risk (11)  

Columbia 
Crook (Moved from Extreme) 
Deschutes 
Jackson (Moved from Extreme) 
Klamath 
Lane (Moved from Extreme) 
Marion (Moved from Extreme) 
Multnomah  
Polk (Moved from Extreme) 
Umatilla (Moved from Extreme) 
Yamhill (Moved from Extreme) 

Extreme Risk (5)  

Benton  
Coos 
Douglas (Moved from High) 
Jefferson  
Josephine