Oregon relaxes some restrictions, despite still high cases of COVID-19

A complex metric for moving into place when the freeze ends. Deschutz, Jefferson County is still 21 counties in the “Extreme Risk” category. “High” crook

Salem, Oregon (AP) — Bars and restaurants will be reopened next week for limited outdoor service, but many restrictions will apply until vaccines against the coronavirus become widely available, Oregon Governor said. Kate Brown said on Wednesday.

At a pre-Thanksgiving press conference, I begged the Oregons to stay safe during the holidays and protect others by not ignoring safety protocols such as wearing masks and restricting personal contact.

“Please make wise choices this holiday weekend to protect you, your family, and your neighbors,” she told Zoom press conference. “Irresponsible behavior for Thanksgiving will, at best, prolong the pandemic. At worst, it will send one of your loved ones to the ICU.”

Details are unknown, but state officials have also announced that the vaccine will soon be in Oregon.

The· Renewal of restrictions To combat an unprecedented rate of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, the current two-week “freeze” expires on December 3, and currently only takeaway restaurant services are allowed. The restaurant industry strongly opposed the restrictions, as some restaurants were permanently closed and others were at risk of doing so.

Asked at a virtual press conference if he was succumbing to industry pressure, Mr Brown said, “Frankly, I’m in the business of saving lives and sustaining a livelihood.”

State officials also said they expect to prioritize health care workers who care for COVID-19 patients and expect to receive enough from the federal government to vaccinate 30,000 people in December. It was.

“Health and safety prevention so that our school, our business, and our community can reopen and remain open until our COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available. The measures will remain, “Brown said.

Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Department of Health (OHA), said the details are still confusing.

He told reporters Tuesday that he had spoken to a general in Operation Warpspeed, a partnership between the federal government and a private pharmaceutical company to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.

“There’s still a lot of lack of clarity,” says Allen, who says Oregon needs more vaccines than it first comes in, but expects that number to grow rapidly, especially if multiple vaccines are distributed. doing.

As of Monday, 21 of 36 counties in Oregon were designated as “extreme risk” due to the number of infections. The highest of the four risk categories includes counties, including the Portland Metropolitan Area, Marion County, Lane County, and Deschutes County. Jefferson County is also in the “Extreme” category, and Crook County is in the “High” category.

OHA also reported 1,189 new confirmed estimated cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 68,503 cases across the state. Another 20 people in the state died from the virus, increasing the number of known deaths in the state to 867.

The number of COVID-19 patients admitted across Oregon increased to 489, compared to 113 in the intensive care unit. According to OHA, Oregon has a total of 146 adult ICU beds.

Authorities said the concern, rather than the lack of beds, was that there may not be enough health care workers to cope with the surge in coronavirus infections.

A new stage of restriction allows up to 50 people to eat outdoors in counties at extreme risk. Indoor meals are permitted in high-risk counties, not exceeding 25% capacity, and 50% capacity is designated as medium or low risk.

State epidemiologist Dean Sidelinger said that many restaurants in Oregon were built due to cold weather and rain, so outdoor dining was done in a cloth or plastic wall. Said it doesn’t mean a meal. He said roofs are allowed, but three sides need to be opened. Otherwise, the risk of infection is as high as eating indoors.

Governor Kate Brown’s Office News Release:

For Thanksgiving holidays, Governor Kate Brown urges Governor of Oregon to work together to protect friends and family from COVID-19.

Strict health and safety measures will continue to be implemented in 21 Extreme Risk counties, where COVID-19 is widespread and hospitalized.
(Salem, Oregon) — Governor Kate Brown today holds a Thanksgiving rally, remembering that the entire Oregon has been frozen for two weeks, as cases and hospitalizations for COVID-19 reached a record high in a pandemic. I urged Oregon to keep it on scale. Take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the COVID-19 epidemic. Due to the surge in infection rates in Oregon, the governor also took strict health and safety measures in at least 21 counties that were found to be at very high risk of COVID-19 infection after a two-week freeze. I warned that it needs to be done. December 2.

“It was a long year — and a very challenging year for the Oregons,” said Governor Brown. “We not only dealt with this pandemic, but also suffered from a tragic and historic wildfire season. So many families lost a lot this year. Unfortunately, now more than ever. And it’s time to double the effort to stop the COVID epidemic.

“When people do not respect the seriousness of this virus and act against the recommendations of doctors and public health professionals, they not only endanger themselves, but endanger us all. By making wise choices such as wearing masks, restricting social gatherings, and staying home when sick, we get out of this horrific situation faster, get closer to normal life, and reopen our business. You can keep it open. We are approaching returning the children to the classroom. “

If the number of cases is expected to continue to increase as the pandemic continues during the winter, the governor announces a new health and safety framework with four different risk levels for the county, based on the COVID-19 epidemic level. Did. The two-week freeze ends on December 2nd. At each risk level (extreme risk, high risk, moderate risk, low risk), corporate and personal health and safety measures and guidance apply. This framework establishes sustainable protection measures for Oregons in counties where COVID-19 is rapidly prevalent, while balancing the economic needs of families and businesses in the absence of a federal aid package. aims for.

click here A list of counties for each risk level, using data available as of November 23.

On Monday, November 30, the Oregon Department of Health will review county data to determine which counties are eligible for each risk level on December 3, after the two-week freeze is over. Every two weeks thereafter, the Oregon Department of Health reviews and publishes county data weekly, but the county’s risk level does not change until the end of the second week. In the first week, the county will be provided with warning week data to prepare for potential changes in risk levels. In the second week, the county’s risk level is updated based on that week’s data.

In high-risk counties, the following activities are permitted with health and safety protocols in place:

• Social gatherings and home gatherings with people outside the household are limited to a maximum of 6 people, with a recommended limit of 2 households.
• Restaurants, bars and other eateries are limited to a maximum of 50 people for outdoor dining only, with only 6 people per table. Takeout is highly recommended.
• Indoor recreation, fitness, and entertainment facilities, including the gym, remain closed, but outdoor recreation, fitness, and entertainment activities, including outdoor gym activities, are permitted, with a maximum outdoor capacity of 50 people.
• Retail stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, indoor and outdoor shopping centers and malls are limited to up to 50% capacity and curbside pick-up is recommended.
• Faith facilities, funeral homes, morgues and graveyards are limited to a maximum of 25% capacity, 100 indoors (whichever is smaller) or 150 outdoors.
• In the office workplace, you need to get the most out of remote work. Open offices are not open to the public.
• The personal service business can continue to operate after taking safety and health measures.
• Care facilities can allow limited outdoor visits according to established health and safety protocols.

Oregon counties that have successfully reduced their COVID-19 risk levels within the coming weeks and months will gradually be able to move to lower risk levels.

It is important to note that there is no zero risk category. Health and safety precautions will be taken to ensure that schools, businesses, and communities are reopened and remain open until the COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available. To prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 at all risk levels, Oregons wear facial covers, monitor physical distances, wash their hands, stay home when ill, and social gatherings and gatherings. Should be kept small.

Learn more about the county risk level framework.
Table of disease spread
County risk level table
Guidance by activity
20/11/23 Map of current county risk levels

Details will be posted in coronavirus.oregon.gov Before December 3rd.

School indicators from kindergarten to high school and health and safety guidance for childcare have not changed under this framework.