(Update: Adding video, comments from Deschutes County Health Services, local business )
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Deschutes County's stay in the Moderate Risk category might be coming to a close.
Morgan Emerson, public information officer for Deschutes County Health Services, said Monday the recent increase in cases will most likely move the county.
"On the last set of the risk numbers, we were right on the edge, and since then, we have seen cases continue to rise. So we see it's highly likely that we may move up to the high risk category again,” Emerson said.
Over the past three two-week periods, Deschutes County has seen an increase in COVID cases.
The last period reached a rate of 99.5 cases per 100,000 people. The threshold to move into High Risk is between 100 and 200.
The High Risk category would mean indoor dining and recreation would move back to 25 percent capacity, and retail back to 50 percent.
Jennifer High, director of operations at the Athletic Club of Bend, fears this move will allow fewer people inside, but could also deter some from coming at all.
"It's definitely an obstacle, and one that we can fight with, but it is pretty detrimental, this entire situation, to our business,” High said.
Deschutes County could be given a two-week grace period by the OHA, but because the county has been in the Moderate Risk category for so long (since Feb. 12), it may not qualify.
While Deschutes County has given over 62,000 vaccine shots, Emerson said people still need to be responsible.
"We don't have herd immunity in Deschutes County, or in Oregon, or the country, so we have to continue taking precautions,” Emerson said.
Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority will make an official announcement on Tuesday, updating risk levels for Oregon counties.
April 06, 2021 at 07:33AM
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Deschutes County appears 'highly likely' to move back to High Risk category - KTVZ
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