Oregon counties face more restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Oregon, officials warned on Friday that one-third of the state’s counties are at risk of increased restrictions — again — including limiting restaurants to outdoor dining only and closing gyms.

According to Gov. Kate Brown, although Oregon consistently had some of the lowest positivity rates in the country during the pandemic, recently the state has recorded one of the highest rate increases in COVID-19 cases.

Officials say the next three weeks are important in the race between vaccines and variants and in an attempt to slow the spread, it is likely that some counties be forced to implement further restrictions.