New health & safety framework: Explaining County Risk Levels

This information can change, please double-check sources for information, and continue to monitor sources or check back here for updates.

Effective December 3rd:

New health and safety framework will move counties into risk level groups rather than the prior phased approach in recognition that our path back to normalcy will not be a straight line. The "Risk Level" approach allows greater flexibility in response to decreases or increases in the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning Monday, November 30, the Oregon Health Authority will examine county data to assign each county a risk level. This data will be reexamined every two weeks to update the county's risk. Counties and the public will be given data weekly and the county will have the next week to prepare for potential risk level changes. Risk levels will only change every two weeks as appropriate to their metrics during that time period. These metrics are adjusted for county size.

County risk levels will now determine allowed and prohibited activities.

Activity Guidance by Risk Level

County/Activity Tool

Risk Levels

Counties with populations over 30,000

Extreme Risk- over 200 cases/100,000 people and a positively rate of over 10%
High Risk- 100-200 cases/100,000 people and a positivity rate between 8-10%
Moderate Risk-50-100 cases/100,000 people and a positivity rate between 5-8%
Low Risk- under 50 cases/100,000 people and a positivity rate under 5%

Counties with populations under 30,000

Extreme Risk- over 60 cases and a positivity rate over 10%
High Risk- 45-60 cases and a positivity rate between 8-10%
Moderate Risk- 30-45 cases and a positivity rate between 5-8%
Low risk- under 30 cases and a positivity rate below 5%

Please visit the Governor's COVID-19 website for updated information on your county's risk level.

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 3rd: UPDATED GUIDANCES

For unnamed industries or concerns, please visit the Governor's COVID-19 website for guidance specific to your industry. For further guidance on K-12 schools, please visit the Oregon Department of Education which includes metrics for operations, individual district plans and weekly school status changes.