County risk levels under the state's public health framework aim to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread — Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk and Lower Risk — and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

Governor Kate Brown announced on that, beginning for the week of March 8, counties that improved from Extreme Risk to any other risk level in the latest two-week period, and that are facing a move back to Extreme Risk in the next two-week period, will be given a two-week extension at their current risk level. If, at the end of the two-week extension, case rate data still puts the county at Extreme Risk, the county will move to that level.

Effective March 12 through March 25, there will be two counties in the Extreme Risk level, nine at High Risk, 12 at Moderate Risk, and 13 at Lower Risk.

Governor Kate Brown announced that, beginning for the week of March 8, counties that reduced their COVID-19 spread enough to move down in risk level in the previous two-week period, but see their numbers go back up in the next two-week period, will be given a two-week caution period to bring COVID-19 case rates back down again. If, at the end of the two-week extension, case rate data still puts the county at a higher risk level, the county will move to that level.

Counties who are given a two-week extension will be noted in the risk level list that is released when county risk levels are assigned. County risk levels are reassigned every two weeks, and the next assignment of risk levels will be announced March 23 and take effect March 26.