·On May 26, Business Oregon opened grant funding to provide grants for small businesses to help with commercial rent and operational costs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approximately $28 million is available to be distributed in this final round through the Operational Cost Assistance Grant, designed for businesses with 100 or fewer employees in industries that were particularly affected by the pandemic, including those that offer the consumption of food and or drink on premise; provide specified indoor physical exercise, recreational or family entertainment; OR provide specified personal services.

Full details of the program, including eligible industries, is available at Business Oregon’s website. Applications for the Operational Cost Assistance Grant will be accepted beginning May 26, and continue through June 6. The application process is NOT first-come, first-served. Awards will be selected after a random lottery process of all complete and eligible applications received.

Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown today ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of Memorial Day on Monday, May 31, 2021 until noon. President Joe Biden today proclaimed Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designated the hour beginning at 11:00 a.m. in each locality on Monday as a time when people might unite in prayer and reflection. Oregonians are also asked to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

“On Memorial Day, and every day, we remember the fallen. We remember their courage and tenacity. We remember their dedication and determination, their service and sacrifice,” said Governor Brown. “We take this day to honor and remember our veterans, fallen heroes, military members and their families across Oregon. Together, we resolve to remember and honor those who have given their lives in the name of peace, freedom, and democracy.”

The full Presidential Proclamation is available at the White House’s website .

Original News Bulletin found here.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at D River Beach in Lincoln County. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted.

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vulnerable to illness from waterborne bacteria.

Visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Levels of fecal bacteria tend to be higher in these types of water sources.   

Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources including:

• Stormwater runoff.
• Sewer overflows.
• Failing septic systems.
• Animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

Even if there is no advisory in effect, avoid swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Ocean waters will be re-tested after an advisory is issued. Once bacteria levels are at a safe level, OHA will notify the public that the advisory is lifted.

While this advisory is in effect at D River Beach, state officials continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory. 

Flags to fly at half-staff until sunset, May 30 Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff until sunset, May 30, 2021 to honor and remember the victims of the shooting in San Jose, California.

“Since March, we have lowered our flags to honor the victims of mass shootings in Atlanta, Boulder, Indianapolis, and, now, San Jose. The violence must end,” said Governor Brown. “We do not yet have all the details of this latest tragedy, but my heart is with the eight families who lost loved ones in today’s senseless attack. We must work together to stop gun violence in this country.”

The full Presidential Proclamation is available at the White House website .

Original news article here.

Governor Kate Brown today announced updates to county risk levels under the state’s public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. Effective Thursday, May 27 through Thursday, June 3, there will be 15 counties in the High Risk level, three at Moderate Risk, and 18 at Lower Risk, including Multnomah County, which has reached a 65% adult vaccination rate and whose equity plan has been approved. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here .

“The science is clear: vaccines are very effective in keeping people safe from COVID-19, and they are the key to returning to normal life and lifting health and safety restrictions statewide,” said Governor Brown. “This disease remains dangerous for those in communities with high rates of unvaccinated individuals. That’s why I’m encouraging all Oregonians to roll up your sleeves, take your shot, and get a chance to change your life. It’s never been easier to get vaccinated, and you may just end up a winner through the Take Your Shot, Oregon campaign.”

On May 11, Governor Brown announced that counties that vaccinate at least 65% of their residents 16 or older with at least one dose and submit documentation on how they will close equity gaps in their vaccination efforts are eligible to move to the Lower Risk level. A county vaccination data dashboard is available on OHA’s website . Please note that the dashboard displays state vaccine allocations only, and does not track federally administered vaccine doses.

Updated Guidance for Lower Risk Levels
Yesterday, Governor Brown announced that businesses in Lower Risk counties will soon have the option of creating vaccinated sections. Businesses will be able to take advantage of this option beginning Thursday, May 27. Additional details will be posted by Thursday to OHA’s website.

Weekly County Movements
As case rates continue to decline, starting next week county risk level changes will be announced every week. The next risk level changes will be announced on Tuesday, June 1, to take effect on Friday, June 4. Counties facing moves back up in risk level will be given a caution period to re-focus efforts to drive back down creeping case numbers.

When Oregon achieves a first dose 70% statewide vaccination rate for residents 16 or older, Oregon will lift all risk level health and safety restrictions. Some restrictions based on CDC guidance for use of masks and physical distancing may remain in place.

Original News Article found here.

All vaccinated Oregonians 12 and older eligible for cash prizes or scholarships; One $1 million prize, 36 $10,000 county winners, and five $100,000 scholarship winners Salem, OR—Governor Kate Brown announced today the launch of the Take Your Shot Oregon Campaign for all vaccinated Oregonians. Oregonians 18 and older will have the chance to win $1 million or one of 36 $10,000 prizes––with one winner in each county in Oregon. Oregonians age 12 to 17 will have a chance to win one of five $100,000 Oregon College Savings Plan scholarships. All Oregonians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the draw date will be entered to win.

“Vaccines are the best tool we have to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19, and our fastest way to end this pandemic,” said Governor Kate Brown. “The Take Your Shot Oregon Campaign is a way to thank Oregonians for stepping up and keeping our communities safe. It’s never been easier to get a vaccine, so don’t miss your shot to enter!”

The campaign is a collaboration between the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Lottery, and the Oregon State Treasury, and is funded with $1.86 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Act dollars. With the help of the Oregon Lottery, the Oregon Health Authority will draw names for winners in each category. No personal identifying information will be shared with the Oregon Lottery, and winners will be given the option to opt out in order to preserve patient privacy. Current employees and family members of the Oregon Lottery, the Governor’s Office, the Treasurer’s Office, and the Oregon Health Authority will be ineligible to win.

“We are excited that Treasury’s College Savings Plan can help with the effort to increase vaccination rates in Oregon,” said State Treasurer Tobias Read. “This is a win-win: get vaccinated now to protect yourself and others, and get the chance to fund your future through a scholarship that can be used for higher education and job training.”

The drawing will take place on June 28, with names announced the following week. The cut off for names being added to the vaccine database is midnight on June 27.

Governor Brown made the announcement today in a press conference with Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen, Oregon Lottery Director Barry Pack, and Dr. Ashby Monk, Executive Director for the Global Projects Center at Stanford University.

Additional Materials
• A copy of the Governor’s prepared remarks from today’s press conference is available here.
• More information on the campaign is available here.
• More information on vaccines is available at covidvaccine.oregon.gov.

Video Links
• A recording of today’s live-streamed press conference is available on YouTube.
• Please note the video starts at the 29:35 mark.
• A recording of a Spanish language translation is available on OHA’s Facebook page.
• An HD recording of today’s press conference for members of the media is available on Vimeo.

At a press conference today, Governor Kate Brown and Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen gave an update on Oregon’s vaccination progress and announced incentives to encourage people to get their shots. 

Some highlights: 

Six counties have vaccinated at least 65% of their residents 16 and older. In other good news, COVID-19  hospitalizations across the state are the lowest they’ve been since April.  

People in Oregon who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by June 27 will be entered to win a prize from the “Take Your Shot Oregon” campaign. Prizes include:  

• One $1 million winner for Oregonians age 18 and older  
• Five $100,000 Oregon College Savings Plan scholarship winners for Oregonians age 12–17  
• One $10,000 winner for each of Oregon’s 36  counties  

Selections will be made on June 28 and winners will be announced the week after.   Read more about the state’s vaccination progress on our blog. 

Governor Kate Brown today announced that Benton, Deschutes, Hood River, Lincoln, and Washington counties are leading the state in vaccinating their residents to protect them against COVID-19, and are eligible to move to the Lower Risk level in the state’s risk level framework on Friday, May 21. As of May 17, all five counties had vaccinated over 65% of residents 16 or older with at least one dose. (Preliminary data posted by the Oregon Health Authority on Monday did not include federal vaccine doses administered in counties.) All five counties have also submitted equity plans to OHA.

“Vaccines protect you, and they protect everyone around you. It’s going to take all of us working together to make sure enough Oregonians are vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and end this pandemic,” said Governor Brown. “I’d like to thank everyone in these counties, particularly their outstanding public health officials, health care workers, and volunteers who have led the way in making sure their communities are protected against COVID-19.”

On May 11, Governor Brown announced that counties that vaccinate at least 65% of their residents 16 or older with at least one dose and submit documentation on how they will close equity gaps in their vaccination efforts are eligible to move to the Lower Risk level.

A county vaccination data dashboard is available on OHA’s website here . Please note that the dashboard displays state vaccine allocations only, and does not track federally-administered vaccine doses. When including federal doses, Deschutes, Lincoln, and Washington counties all exceeded the 65% vaccination threshold, in addition to Benton and Hood River. Equity plans for each county are posted on OHA’s website here: Benton , Deschutes , Hood River , Lincoln , Washington .

County eligibility for Lower Risk based on vaccination rates will be assessed weekly. County movements based on COVID-19 infection and positivity rates will continue to be announced every two weeks. Next week, all counties will be eligible to move based on vaccination rates or on infection and positivity rates. The next risk level changes will be announced on Tuesday, May 25, to take effect on Friday, May 28.

When Oregon achieves a first dose 70% statewide vaccination rate for residents 16 or older, Oregon will lift all risk level health and safety restrictions. Some restrictions based on CDC guidance for use of masks and physical distancing may remain in place.