Nov. 25, 2020

What we’re grateful for

Patrick Allen, Director of Oregon Health Authority, shares this message with Coronavirus Update readers: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. During this pandemic, it sometimes feels really hard to be thankful. Many of us are mourning the loss of loved ones, or the inability to visit family in hospitals or long-term care facilities. Others are struggling with lost jobs and shuttered businesses. Parents, kids, teachers and staff all struggle with distance learning and reduced activities and sports. Still, even during such a trying time as this, there are things I’m thankful for. I’m thankful for health care providers, doctors, nurses, technicians, assistants, as well as the people who cook the food, do the laundry and clean the rooms. Together, they are doing everything they can to treat our sick and care for our older adults. I’m thankful for dedicated first responders, firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, 911 operators, and all the rest for being there for us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I’m grateful for public health professionals at the national, state and local levels, including at the Oregon Health Authority, who wake up every morning and go to bed every night thinking about coronavirus and how to stop its spread. I’m thankful for scientists, researchers and the federal government for doing everything possible to create and distribute a vaccine. Most of all, I’m thankful for Oregonians all over the state who are making sacrifices and taking actions to slow the spread of this disease. Collectively, you have worn masks, washed your hands, stayed distant, and sacrificed jobs and businesses, experiences and time with loved ones. Your sacrifices and actions have helped Oregon, even now, fare better than most states. The road back to a more normal life still stretches out in front of us and will continue to be difficult. But your sacrifices matter and make a difference. Thank you.

After the ‘freeze,’ Oregon will introduce new framework for counties

After the statewide “two-week freeze” ends on Dec. 2, Oregon will introduce a new framework of safety measures dependent on each county’s risk. Governor Kate Brown appeared at a news conference today with OHA and Oregon Health & Sciences University officials to discuss the new measures.

With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations at an all-time high for the pandemic, Governor Brown also urged Oregonians to keep their Thanksgiving gatherings small and use precautions to protect themselves and loved ones from the spread of COVID-19.

The new framework has four risk levels based on counties' current COVID-19 spread, to take effect after the "freeze” ends next week. At each risk level — Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk — health and safety measures and guidance for businesses and individuals will apply.

The framework is intended to establish sustainable protection measures for Oregonians in counties with rapid spread of COVID-19, while balancing the economic needs of families and businesses in the absence of a federal aid package.

At least 21 counties will likely initially fall in the “extreme risk” category. Click here for a list of counties in each risk level using data available as of Nov. 23. On Monday, Nov. 30, OHA will re-examine county data to determine which counties qualify for each risk level on Dec. 3, following the end of the "freeze.”

See the graphic below for information about what activities will be allowed, with health and safety protocols in place, in counties with extreme risk.

Oregon counties that reduce their COVID-19 risk levels in coming weeks and months will be able to incrementally move to lower levels.

It’s important to note that there is no zero risk category. Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools, businesses and communities can reopen, and stay open.

At every risk level, to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, Oregonians must continue to wear face coverings, watch their physical distance, wash hands, stay home when sick, and keep social get-togethers and gatherings small.

Learn more:

• Disease Spread Table
• County Risk Level Table
• Guidance by Activity
• Map of County Risk Levels as of 11/23/20
• More information will be posted to oregon.gov prior to Dec. 3.
• Read the news release.
• View an English recording of today’s news conference.
• View a recording of today’s simulcast in Spanish (Disculpen los problemas técnicos. La interpretación empieza en el minuto 5, segundo 57 [5:57])