TILLAMOOK, Ore. — Tillamook County Public Health was notified that Tillamook County will stay at the “Moderate Risk” category for the next two weeks effective this Friday 03/26/2021. As calculated by Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Tillamook County had 33 new confirmed positive
and presumptive COVID-19 cases from Sunday 03/07/2021 – Saturday 03/20/2021, which met disease metrics to remain at “Moderate Risk.”
In the “Moderate Risk” category, businesses may still operate but with stricter capacity limits and reduced hours compared to “Lower Risk.” Indoor social gathering size will remain limited to 8 people, no more than two households. Remote work is recommended if able to.
The Risk and Protection framework that the state of Oregon is operating under allows for counties to function safely based on the amount of disease spread measured in a 2-week period for that county. This framework allows for the counties to change to the appropriate risk level every two-weeks using predetermined COVID-19 disease metrics – the following is for a medium sized county (i.e., Tillamook County):
• Lower Risk: > 30 new COVID-19 cases in a 2-week period
• Moderate Risk: 31 – 44 new COVID-19 cases in a 2-week period
• High Risk: 45 – 59 new COVID-19 cases in a 2-week period
• Extreme Risk: 60 + new COVID-19 cases in a 2-week period
See more on what is allowed in the “Moderate Risk” category here: https://coronavirus.oregon.gov/Pages/guidance.aspx
Here is updated press release from Governor Kate Brown’s office with the full list of counties and their associated risk levels.
While this is welcome news as after last week’s “warning data” showed Tillamook County with 40 cases, closer to “High Risk” than “Moderate Risk,” we ask you to not let your guard down.
Continue to take COVID-19 safety precautions: wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, watch your distance (6ft), stay home if ill, seek COVID-19 testing and answer the call from public health contact tracers.
If cases continue to increase over the next two weeks, Tillamook County would be at risk of moving to a higher risk level 04/09/2021. If cases decrease, Tillamook County may move back down in risk level.
For more about Tillamook County’s COVID-19 response, go to https://tillamookchc.org/coronavirus-3/
