CHW release – Coos Health & Wellness is working hard to keep you informed on the status of COVID-19 guidelines in Coos County. We will continue to provide updates every Tuesday that review the most recent metrics and status released by Oregon Health Authority on Mondays. Based on Monday, February 15th metrics Coos County will be continuing in Extreme Risk Guidelines. These levels will be effective to February 25th, 2021. The next opportunity for Coos County to change risk categories will be based on the Risk Category determined by Oregon Health Authority on February 22nd. School and business metrics are different. Business metrics are guided by the Governor’s Office and the Oregon Health Authority and school metrics are guided by the Oregon Department of Education Ready Schools Safe Learners guidance. Schools have strong protocols that have increased protections so that students can return to school in person safely. The metrics data comes out each Monday using a two week “look back” period. This allows communities and Oregon Health Authority to see case numbers on which to make decisions about the need for increases or decreases in safety guidelines. It is up to us, as a community, to be the best public health stewards we can be. We are asking that you follow the guidelines such as social distancing, wearing a face covering in public and using good hand hygiene to help keep our case counts low. If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, please visit our website HERE for the most recent guidance, or email us at covid19.questions@chw.coos.or.us.