North Central Public Health District announced a sharp decrease in COVID-19 cases will drop Wasco County all the way to the state’s “Lower Risk” category beginning on Friday.  Wasco County recorded just 27 COVID cases for the 14-day period that ended Saturday, which will make the County just the second to drop by three categories at once since Oregon’s four-category risk framework was introduced last November.  NCPHD Health Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell said there were a number of factors involved in the move, including vaccinations in high-risk populations, less traveling coming out of the holidays, and people practicing public health measures.  McDonell emphasizes that people still need to wear masks and practice social distancing.  When the category change takes effect on Friday, in-person dining at restaurants and bars in Wasco County can resume at 50 percent capacity with a closing time of midnight.  Churches in Wasco County can operate at 75 percent capacity indoors, theaters, museums, and gyms can operate at 50 percent capacity, long-term care facilities can have inside visitation, offices can have limited in-person work, retail stores can operate at 75 percent capacity, and indoor social gatherings can have up to ten people with a recommended limit from up to four households.