“We are confident that our efforts to combat COVID-19 in our county will pay off with the governor approving our request to enter Phase Two,” the letter said. These include seeing a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, increased contact tracing and testing, and providing resources for people quarantined at home. As the letter states: "Public health officials from the counties and state should be given the opportunity to assess the need to move as a region on case by case basis, based on prevalence, morbidity and mortality in our individual counties and within the metro region. Read the full press release. One Oregon health official from Eastern Oregon's Malheur County explained the dilemma of dealing with it. Anyone can get sick. The most current information on closures will be posted on their website. Get breaking news coverage as events unfold. If our numbers have improved, we will talk with our board about submitting our application to the governor for a June 22 Phase 2 reopening. So far, Multnomah County is the only county that has yet to apply for phase 1 and Washington County received approval this week to begin the first phase of the gradual reopening on June 1. We know you are hungry for answers and accurate information. Closing outdoor recreational facilities, zoos, gardens and entertainment venues. The new phase would also ease restrictions on bars and restaurants, allowing them to stay open until midnight and increase their table space with outdoor seating. March 12, 2020 Leer comunicado de prensa en español. May 15, 2020 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Here is important guidance from public health on what to do while school is out to prevent further spread of illness. May 19, 2020 July 8, 2020 August 26, 2020 Kate Brown’s plan for reopening the state. Officials in … June 2, 2020 In particular, the guidance now requires that people wear face coverings in all private and public workplaces including classrooms, offices, meeting rooms and workspaces, unless someone is alone in an office or in a private workspace. Washington County has reported its first death due to COVID-19. Read the press release from the Oregon Health Authority. Deschutes, Jefferson, and Umatilla counties applied for phase two but still remain under review, the governor's office says. This means the virus had likely been spreading in our community before detection, so it stands to reason we’d have more cases. Therefore, Washington County is delaying submission of our Phase 2 … The community can keep track of where we stand on reopening on our reopening criteria status webpage. View OHA's Public Health Indicators dashboard. The governor has extended the mandatory school closure through April 28. May 7, 2020 Thirty one Oregon counties began their 21-day phase 1 reopening process on May 15. -- Ted Sickinger; tsickinger@oregonian.com; 503-221—8505; @tedsickinger. February 28, 2020  April 8, 2020 SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Gov. After multiple weeks of physical distancing, County Board of Commissioners Chair Kathryn Harrington underscores the importance of carrying on with Oregon’s Stay Home, Save Lives order. Remote learning continues. September 28, 2020 Read the governor's new measures on coronavirus response and the press release for more details. Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington County will not move to Phase 2 of Oregon’s COVID-19 reopening plan this week.. Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury explained, “We want to move cautiously toward reopening to avoid taking one step forward only to be forced to take two steps back.Phase II is a big step toward business as usual, and the virus is not sufficiently contained to … Two of the 24 COVID-19 cases announced in Washington County in the last two days are residents at a long-term care facility. In a special edition of Tualatin Valley Community Television's "County Talk," County Board of Commissioners Chair Kathryn Harrington interviews Dr. Christina Baumann, M.D., Washington County's Health Officer, about when, why and how we should wear facial coverings. This Friday, May 22, we plan to submit our application to the state for reopening, with a goal of entering Phase 1 on June 1. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Read the guidance. Clackamas and Washington counties near Portland, and Marion and Polk counties in the Salem area, are not yet eligible to move into Phase 2 because not enough time has elapsed. RESPITE SHELTER: Washington County is partnering with City of Hillsboro and Comfort Inn & Suites to provide respite shelter. The Oregon Health Authority announced the second presumptive case of COVID-19 in Oregon. Stigmatizing or avoiding certain groups of people is unfair and hurtful. So far, Multnomah County is the only county that has yet to apply for phase 1 and Washington County received approval this week to begin the first phase of the gradual reopening on June 1. Kate Brown approved 29 counties to enter Phase 2 of reopening … The Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority released updated metrics for school reopening. Another reason is that we have been vigilant to quickly identify close contacts to known cases, put them under monitoring, and then test at the first sign of illness. Washington County has applied to the state for reopening, with a goal of entering Phase 1 on Monday, June 1. Washington County is providing cities with funding to create their own small business recovery programs. WASHINGTON COUNTY, OR (KPTV) - Washington County on Monday officially entered into Phase 1 of reopening, making Multnomah County the last county in Oregon … New regulations include: Read Washington County Public Health's Response Statement. Like the County program, the cities’ programs will have a focus on businesses run by historically disadvantaged members of our community and those most impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about the state’s plan (YouTube video). Read the media release in English and Spanish. Read Washington County Public Health's Response Statement. Brown announced Thursday that Washington County … Now that metric is fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people to resume limited onsite K-3 (phasing up to 6th) and fewer than 50 cases per 100,000 for onsite for all students (for two-week period). CLARK COUNTY — Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced on Friday that Clark County is among 14 additional counties allowed to begin Phase 2 of the governor’s four-phased Safe Start reopening plan.. This case was identified in the course of our ongoing investigation. SCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH APRIL 28. “To enter Phase II, a county must again ensure that crucial public health metrics have been satisfied,” Brown said in a letter sent Friday to county leaders around the state. June 25, 2020 Washington County Board Chair Kathryn Harrinton issued a statement about why Washington County will remain in Phase 1 of reopening under Governor Kate Brown's framework. The order is effective immediately and remains in effect until ended by the governor. April 2, 2020 The governor’s office warned the draft guidance is subject to change pending feedback it receives from county officials and other stakeholders. Gov. In fact, most – more than two-thirds – of our cases are individual community cases, meaning they aren’t connected to another known ill individual. Governor Kate Brown has paused all reopening applications for one week. Reopen allowed in: Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4. Clackamas County entered Phase 1 on May 23, so has been waiting the longest to move into Phase 2. Thank you for doing your part by following Governor Kate Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives executive order. Per Governor Kate Brown: The following rules go into effect statewide on Friday, July 24. However, county officials said they plan to submit an application for phase 1 Friday. While we think Washington County is pretty special, when it comes to COVID-19, there is nothing special or different about our population in Washington County. Face coverings are required when exercising indoors (e.g., at a gym, dance studio), plus outdoors when you can’t physically distance. Governor Brown established a new moratorium preventing residential evictions for non-payment and other no-cause evictions between September 30 and December 31, 2020. Businesses and industries eligible to reopen in Phase 2 include hair and … Apply here. See our press release. Read Washington County Public Health's full response in English and Spanish. Governor Kate Brown holds press conference to discuss the "reopening" of Oregon. Kate Brown on Thursday sent letters to county … Select a county to find out what is allowed in various sectors such as restaurants, gyms, faith gatherings and more. March 17, 2020 Watch the press conference on YouTube. Department of Health and Human Services Director Marni Kuyl provided the Board of Commissioners with an overview of the county’s response efforts as part of her staff briefing. The draft guidance for phase 2 says counties could allow gatherings of up to 50 people, ease travel restrictions and allow a limited return to work, though remote working is still strongly recommended. Indoor social gatherings remain limited to 10 people. In a new video update, Board of Commissioners Chair Kathryn Harrington describes Washington County’s response to COVID-19, including a working theory about why there are more cases here than in the rest of Oregon. The second adult did not require medical attention. As public servants, our main priority is to protect the health and safety of all members of our community. On Thursday, Washington County was approved for Phase 1 of reopening and will begin its gradual reopening on June 1. "I want to be very clear: sending Oregon children home will not stop the spread of the coronavirus. As a county and as a region, we have not met all of the metrics required to apply for Phase 2. April 13, 2020 May 6, 2020 Clackamas County began on May 23 and Washington County started on Monday, so aren’t immediately eligible. November 9, 2020 Douglas County, for example, immediately sent an application to the governor’s office. Washington County is a partner in this project. Brown announced that 29 of Oregon's counties have been cleared to enter Phase 2 of her reopening plan. Restrictions under the new framework apply statewide. December 3, 2020 Oregon health officials and hospitals announced a joint statewide action plan to dramatically bolster the state’s ability to treat people with COVID-19 illness who need hospital care. Therefore, Washington County is delaying submission of our Phase 2 … July 6, 2020 Kate Brown sent out a letter to county leaders outlining the prerequisites counties must meet in order to enter the second phase of the state's reopening plan. March 8, 2020 Kate Brown announced Thursday that Douglas County will be allowed to move into a Phase 2 reopening Friday. MESSAGE ABOUT OUR CASE COUNT: We know many of you want to know why Washington County has so many more cases of COVID-19 than the rest of the state. March 22, 2020 March 26, 2020 Most County offices are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Washington County government organization reopens for some in-person services, but public health requirements will be in effect and remote access to services is still encouraged. These are listed below, along with the county’s current status on each of them: Declining prevalence of COVID-19: This criterion has been met. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). Face coverings will be required in indoor public spaces starting June 24. The following counties are approved to enter Phase 2 … March 8, 2020 Kate Brown announced Thursday that Douglas County will be allowed to move into a Phase 2 reopening Friday. Jay Inslee's Safe Start plan. PORTLAND, Ore. — Business across Washington County will spend this weekend getting ready to open again on Monday as the county enters Phase 1 of the gradual reopening … Read the press release. Read the media release and watch a briefing on the county's framework for reopening. August 27, 2020 Read the press release and watch the video here. Governor Kate Brown announced new requirements related to face coverings and a new regional approach to reopening. Our heartfelt sympathies to the family during this sad time. State agencies issue COVID-19 guidance to Oregon schools and universities. The county’s entry into Phase 2 … The county must also … Read the press release from the Oregon Health Authority. July 22, 2020 Alarmed by a dramatic and sustained uptick in new cases of COVID-19, Gov. If their business model doesn't support it, they should consider closing their doors to customers temporarily. Gov. July 28, 2020 April 15, 2020 Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington County will not move to Phase 2 of Oregon’s COVID-19 reopening plan this week.. Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury explained, “We want to move cautiously toward reopening to avoid taking one step forward only to be forced to take two steps back.Phase II is a big step toward business as usual, and the virus is not sufficiently contained to … Kate Brown on Thursday sent letters to county … The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted on April 7 to extend until April 21 the county’s prior declaration of emergency regarding the response to the new coronavirus. Washington County is working to meet Governor Brown’s requirements to apply for partial reopening (“Phase 1”). Morrow County has also been moved by the governor from Phase 2 to Phase 1 of reopening. Applications accepted April 15 to April 16. From Washington County Cooperative Library Services: Each of our libraries is currently evaluating how to respond to COVID-19 and determining the best course of action when it comes to ensuring public safety and serving their community. March 18, 2020 Subscribe to OregonLive. However, the restrictions lifted in Phase 1 and 2 are being temporarily rolled back. OHA adds seven new presumptive positive cases, bringing Oregon’s COVID-19 count to 14. Public Health staff are working to identify and contact everyone who is at highest risk -- those who have had close, prolonged contact with the ill person. June 12, 2020 The two-week “freeze” will take effect on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and extend to at least Dec. 2. HELP FOR BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS. We understand this will raise concern, as the news hits close to home. You can also view this activity chart by risk level. Please keep wearing those face coverings and following physical distancing guidelines. When will the county apply for Phase 2? Governor Kate Brown has paused all reopening applications for one week. Governor Kate Brown announced a new framework (scroll down that page a little). At this time, the guidance recommends against closing schools and campuses where no cases of COVID-19 are present. All Washington counties will now be in phase two or three of Inslee's Safe Start plan, which is designed to gradually reopen the economy and social gatherings as COVID-19 case rates decline. All other businesses should evaluate practices and consider take out options. Official guidance here. The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to extend until September 1 the county’s prior declaration of emergency regarding the response to the new coronavirus. Board approval does NOT mean the County is ready to apply to the Governor’s Office for Phase 1. One of the new cases is in Washington County. This means the earliest our county can enter Phase 2 would be July 10. The governor has asked Washington County to join eight other Oregon counties where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly to take a two-week pause in social, business and other activities that are driving the spread of coronavirus. Restaurants, churches, salons, and other businesses can now reopen with some limitations. Read more here. [Leer nuestro comunicado de prensa en español. November 13, 2020 Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), Apply for the County program beginning July 8 here. We are committed to doing this important work for as long as it takes. Gov. Read the media release. We wish Mr. Calderon and his family the best! The order includes the following: March 14, 2020 "The best path forward is a cautious one," she said. On June 17, Governor Kate Brown announced that Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties will move together as a region for any further reopening progress.