(MT) – In a press release dated Nov. 25, Clackamas County noted it will
comply with Governor Kate Brown’s announcement of a more risk-driven
approach to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across Oregon. The Governor’s
announced metrics now directly tie allowed activities to clear measures of
risk – based on COVID-19 case data – helping businesses and the county
plan ahead for reopening.

“It has been a long year for Clackamas County residents with COVID-19 and
the recent wildfires. Thank you to everyone for your patience and continuing
efforts to stay safe,” said Gary Schmidt, Clackamas County Administrator.

“Most Clackamas County buildings will remain open to the public from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, as has been the case for the past
several months. Please check the county website to confirm office hours
before visiting and consider setting up an appointment before visiting and
using services through the telephone, email, webpages or other electronic
means.”

Using state data available as of Wednesday, Nov. 25, a total of 5,574
Clackamas County residents have contracted COVID-19 this year; 77 county
residents have died from the disease. County health officials warn the recent
large weekly increases in new presumed cases is alarming.

“To give some perspective, this summer, Clackamas County averaged 100-
150 positive COVID-19 tests per week. In October, it jumped to 200 per

week. Last week – in just one week – we hit 811 cases,” said Philip Mason-
Joyner, Clackamas County Public Health Director. “That means we have more

than tripled our number of county residents infected with COVID-19 in just a
few weeks.”

The data-driven framework take effect Thursday Dec. 3. The risk metrics
mirror current school metrics by monitoring COVID-19 case rates (the number
of cases per 100,000 population in large counties such as Clackamas) and
percentage of test positivity.

The Oregon Health Authority will use the latest data to update the metrics
every week; since the metrics use the latest two weeks of data, counties can
potentially move between risk categories – and change limitations on
activities – every two weeks. The latest available data on these metrics shows
Clackamas County would be in the “Extreme risk” category.

Meanwhile, the county joined other counties in Oregon in taking a “two-week
pause” to fight COVID-19 starting Wednesday, Nov. 11. The two-week pause
limited social interaction, in an effort to curb spiking COVID-19 infection rates.
“We realize that the news of a two-week pause is something Clackamas
County residents did not want to hear,” said Clackamas County Chair Jim
Bernard in a press release. “We understand this is disappointing. But it’s
necessary.”

Governor Brown ordered the two-week pause in counties with a case rate
above 200 per 100,000 people over a two-week period.

“Please don’t wait to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said
Clackamas County Public Health Officer Doctor Sarah Present in a press
release. “We understand people miss seeing their loved ones, and it’s more
challenging to wear a face covering and distance when we are with people we

trust. However, we are not going to contact trace or test our way out of this
pandemic. The change will come when individual behavior changes collectively
– that's in our control.”

Most people who contract COVID-19 get it from family and friends who are
increasingly attending indoor social gatherings and aren’t using face
coverings. Public health officials find that most positive COVID-19 cases in
Clackamas County are from social gatherings large and small. Officials said a
two-week pause should help slow the spread of the virus before maxing out
hospital capacity, putting a strain on PPE supply chains and requiring further
lockdown.