County moves from “extreme” to “high” risk

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 09, 2021

Many county services continue remotely with shift in risk status

In response to Governor Kate Brown’s announcement that Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties will shift from “Extreme” to “High” risk status this week, the Washington County organization will begin allowing limited in-person, walk-in services throughout the government organization beginning Tuesday, February 16. 

In keeping with the new risk status, the public is still encouraged to use alternate methods of accessing county services as much as possible. Meetings of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, for example, will continue to be convened remotely using Zoom, broadcasted by TVCTV and the county’s YouTube Channel. More information about these alternate ways of engaging with the county can be found on the Washington County webpage or by calling the county’s main phone number at 503-846-8611.

In addition, county employees are encouraged to continue working remotely whenever possible, as appropriate to their job classifications. More guidance for county employees can also be found on the county’s webpage.

“The public’s vigilance in following public health guidance in recent weeks has led directly to this positive outcome, and for that we are sincerely grateful,” said County Administrator Tanya Ange. “Despite this good news, we owe it to our community and ourselves as county employees keep this progress going by following all of the guidance provided under state rules when it comes to our new ‘High Risk’ status.”

Washington County was designated as being under Extreme Risk beginning December 3, 2020, following a statewide “Freeze.” Under the statewide risk framework, the Extreme Risk status applied to the county because COVID-19 cases remained greater than 200 per 100,000 people. The state changed the county’s status after the number of cases fell below this threshold over a recent 14-day period.

Public health officials are continuing to emphasize the importance of wearing masks, keeping physically distant from those outside of one’s own household, avoiding gatherings, washing hands often, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated when eligible and vaccines are available. 

More public health guidance can be found in a regional media release from the public health officers with Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. 

For more information on vaccines and COVID-19, see these Washington County webpages in English and Spanish.

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