Good news arrived Tuesday for several Oregon counties when it comes to COVID-19 risk levels — and also and for the state as a whole.
Polk County will be moved down to the “lower risk” level this week. Jefferson, Klamath, and Marion counties will move to “moderate risk.”
Each step down on the state’s tiered COVID risk hierarchy allows counties to further ease restrictions and work towards reopening.
But Gov. Kate Brown said Tuesday is the last time Oregonians will be hearing about county risk levels.
As of this coming Friday, 23 counties will be in the “lower risk” category, seven will be at “moderate,” and six counties will still be at “high risk.”
But because Oregon is less than 45,000 people shy of its vaccination goal, Brown said she is confident the state will reopen before she has to announce another week’s worth of changes.
When 70% of Oregonians have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, all risk level health and safety restrictions will be lifted. As of Tuesday morning, the number stood at 68.7%.