Multnomah, Clackamas among Oregon counties moving back to 'high' COVID risk level Friday

PORTLAND, Ore. — Governor Kate Brown updated the coronavirus risk levels for Oregon on Tuesday, and six counties moved backward from the 'Moderate' to the 'High' category.

Multnomah, Clackamas, Deschutes, Klamath, Linn and Tillamook counties all shifted to the High Risk category, which means indoor dining capacities at restaurants would drop from 50% to 25%. Additionally, outdoor capacities will be dropped from 150 to 75 people.

These risk levels go into effect on Friday, April 9, giving businesses until then to make any necessary changes to reflect the updated risk levels.

The updated county risk levels arrived the same day Gov. Brown announced that all Oregonians over the age of 16 would be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by April 19.

READ MORE |Oregonians over 16 can sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine starting April 19

Below is the full list of Oregon county risk levels that will take effect on Friday, April 9:

Lower Risk (16)

• Baker
• Crook
• Gilliam
• Grant (Moved from Moderate)
• Harney
• Hood River
• Jefferson
• Lake
• Lane
• Malheur (Moved from Moderate)
• Morrow
• Sherman
• Wallowa
• Wasco
• Wheeler
• Yamhill

Moderate Risk (6)

• Clatsop
• Columbia
• Polk
• Umatilla (Moved from High)
• Union
• Washington

High Risk (14)

• Benton
• Clackamas (Moved from Moderate)
• Coos (Moved from Extreme)
• Curry (Moved from Extreme)
• Deschutes (Moved from Moderate)
• Douglas
• Jackson
• Josephine
• Klamath (Moved from Moderate)
• Lincoln
• Linn (Moved from Moderate)
• Marion
• Multnomah (Moved from Moderate)
• Tillamook (Moved from Moderate)

As of Tuesday, there were no counties in the state's highest risk category of 'Extreme.'

Oregon’s risk-based approach to reducing the spread of coronavirus assigns each of the 36 counties to one of four categories (extreme, high, moderate, and lower risk) based on the local virus metrics reported to the state health department.

That risk level shifts up or down on a bi-weekly basis, as case rates fluctuate. Counties can also get a two-week extension that lets them bring case numbers down.

Eight counties were put on warning:

• Baker County qualifies for Extreme Risk, but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
• Lane County qualifies for Moderate Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
• Yamhill County qualifies for Moderate Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Lower Risk because it moved down from Moderate Risk in the last movement period.
• Columbia County qualifies for Extreme Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.
• Polk County qualifies for High Risk but is given a two-week caution period at Moderate Risk because it moved down from High Risk in the last movement period.
• Josephine County qualifies for Extreme Risk but remains at High Risk because the statewide trigger for Extreme Risk has not been met.
• Klamath County qualifies for Extreme Risk but moves to High Risk because the statewide trigger for Extreme Risk has not been met.
• Tillamook County qualifies for Extreme Risk but moves to High Risk because the statewide trigger for Extreme Risk has not been met.

At the end of March, KATU News reported that Clackamas County would be susceptible to a step backwards unless case rates improved.

“Our contact tracers have found that small gatherings and school activities not related to in-person instruction are driving their cases up. So, we're asking people again to still avoid and limit group activities, to help keep our cases down, continue to wear those face coverings and wash your hands,” said Clackamas County Spokesperson Kimberly Dinwiddie.