North Central Public Health District officials said today a recent significant drop in positive COVID-19 cases in Wasco County means the County will probably move down from the “extreme risk” category to “high risk” next week, and possibly even into the “moderate risk” category.  In a statement released Friday, district interim director Shellie Campbell said Wasco County has recorded just 27 COVID cases since February 7, which is the beginning of the two-week case count period that ends Saturday (February 20).  A count of 45 to 59 cases would drop Wasco County to the “high risk” category, and 30 to 44 would qualify as “moderate risk.”  The state will announce category changes on Tuesday, and they would take effect on Friday.  Counties in the “high risk” category allow in-person dining and gyms to operate both at 25 percent capacity, and in-person visits at long-term care facilities.  Dropping to “moderate risk” would allow in-person dining, gyms, and churches to all be at 50 percent capacity.  District Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell said the drop in cases is a result of several factors, including the end of the holiday case surge, the County’s 12 percent vaccination rate, and the public following “extreme risk” category guidance.  District officials do emphasize that vaccinations are still the key to ending the pandemic, so continue to wear mask in public, stay six feet apart from those not in your household, avoid gatherings, wash your hands, and stay home when sick.