The Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team reported 21 new cases Tuesday and no new deaths.
And a large outbreak linked to a local faith organization has become the county’s single largest to date, with nearly five dozen positive cases, dozens of residents asked to quarantine and several hospitalizations.
The name of the organization was not made public.
While there has been a surge in recent cases, county officials said they’ve been notified the county will remain in the “high” risk level through at least Jan. 28, rather than moving back into the “extreme” risk level. That means all local businesses, including restaurants and bars, can remain open. Some limitations on the number of customers who can be served indoors remain in place.
Nine county residents with the illness are currently hospitalized, six locally and three out of the area.
Oregon reported 1,203 new cases and 54 new deaths Tuesday.