Gov OK’s Crook County, 25 others for Phase 2; Deschutes, Jefferson ‘under review’

(Update: Adding video, comments from Deschutes County health official)

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday approved 26 counties --- including Crook, but not Deschutes or Jefferson -- to move to Phase 2 of reopening on Friday, Saturday or Monday under her "framework for building a safe and strong Oregon."

Deschutes and Jefferson counties, along with Umatilla, are "under review," apparently due to recent increases in COVID-19 cases.

Morgan Emerson, emergency preparedness coordinator for Deschutes County Health Services, told NewsChannel Thursday the county is still under review because it did not meet one criteria under the OHA, related to contact tracing.

"Deschutes County was not meeting one metric, and that’s the percentage of cases that can be traced to a known contact," Emerson said. "It’s important to remember in looking at the week of data we’re looking at, there are only nine cases. So we’re looking at 30 percent or fewer cases that aren’t traced to a known source.”

She said the cases without a traceable or known source are likely linked to community spread.

"Some of those cases were associated with travel, which means they may have been acquired in somewhere outside of Deschutes County," Emerson said.

She said the county provided the information to the state and governor's office. She said the county expects to hear back from the governor's office on Friday.

"If we see a significant change in our cases, or capacity to care for cases in the community, we would work closely with the Oregon Health Authority and governor’s office to bring in new resources or implement new policies to protect the health of our community," Emerson said.

County officials submitted letters to the Governor’s Office requesting entry into Phase 2, and confirming their counties met Oregon’s safety and preparedness prerequisites for Phase 2.

“Today, most of us live in communities where people are venturing out a bit. We do so cautiously, looking out for friends, family and neighbors,” Brown said. “I want to say thank you to each and every Oregonian who has made tremendous sacrifices to protect the health and safety of our communities.”

“Any reopening comes with risk. That’s just a fact of life right now. We need to reduce the risk that comes with reopening. So, fellow Oregonians, you have further opportunity to show that you are looking out for your friends, family and neighbors.”

The following counties have been approved to enter Phase 2 on the following dates:

June 5 

• Benton
• Curry
• Douglas
• Grant
• Jackson
• Klamath
• Lake
• Lane
• Linn
• Morrow
• Union
• Wallowa
• Wasco
• Wheeler

June 6

• Baker
• Clatsop
• Columbia
• Coos
• Crook
• Gilliam
• Harney
• Josephine
• Malheur
• Sherman
• Yamhill

June 8  

• Tillamook

The dates reflect the specific request of each county, as reflected in their Phase 2 request letters. Counties entering Phase 2 will continue reopening following new health and safety guidance for gatherings, indoor and outdoor venues, workplaces, travel, bars and restaurants, indoor and outdoor activities, pools and sports courts, and recreational sports.

A video presentation for counties and members of the public with questions about Phase 2 is available here.

The Oregon Health Authority analyzed the metrics holistically for each county and determined when seemingly significant percentage increases were actually the result of a county having a very small number of cases.

For example, several counties did not technically meet the metric that at least 70% of new cases must be tracked to an existing, known case. However, in all of these counties, the number of untracked cases was so small (fewer than 5) that OHA deemed them not significant.

In addition, one county––Lane––technically did not meet the metric of having no increase in testing positivity in the last 7 days. The previous seven days had a positivity rating of 0%, and the last 7 days had a positivity of 2%, which is still low compared to the national average, which is over 10%. OHA deemed this change insignificant as well.

Three counties, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Umatilla, applied for Phase 2 but remain under further review, Brown said. State health officials are in active communication with local public health officials in these counties.

OHA reported five new Deschutes County cases on Thursday, for a total to date of 133; Jefferson County also added a case, to 46, though most have been on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Crook County also added one new case, for a total of six cases since the pandemic began.

Six counties have not yet applied for Phase 2: Clackamas, Hood River, Lincoln, Marion, Polk, and Washington.

Multnomah County has not yet applied for Phase 1 and remains in baseline status.

Updates to sector-specific guidance will be made available at coronavirus.oregon.gov. The Governor’s Office continues to work with the Oregon Health Authority to update health and safety guidance for the reopening process. Members of the public with questions about the reopening process are encouraged to visit coronavirus.oregon.gov.

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Crook County Health Department news release:

Crook County was approved today for reopening under Phase II of the Reopening Framework effective Saturday, June 6, 2020. Without the partnership of the Health Department and our community, this would not have been possible. 

Crook County citizens have done their part to keep the numbers low here.  You have stayed home, keeping yourselves and loved ones safe.  You’ve washed your hands, worn face coverings, and checked on neighbors.  And despite the fear and anxiety, this community has stayed united and together. 

As of June 6, 2020, the following sectors are approved to reopen (with new guidelines and physical distancing requirements)

• In person indoor gatherings of up to 50 people
  • In person outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people
  • Recreational sports; pools
  • Venues like movie theaters, bowling alleys and arcades
  • Some additional in office work
  • Bars and restaurants can stay open until midnight
  • Social, civic and faith-based gatherings can meet in larger, physically distanced groups

Guidance can be found here:

https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19

For more information or general questions contact:

Crook County Health Department

375 NW Beaver Street, Suite 100

Prineville, OR 97754

Office:  541-447-5165

If you have questions about COVID-19, call 541-699-5109, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The call center is set up to take your calls.  You may also call 211 for general inquiries.