BOISE, Idaho — Gov. Brad Little says there are too many coronavirus infections to lift additional restrictions.

That means the state will remain in the fourth and final stage of his plan to reopen during the pandemic.

The final stage was originally scheduled to expire Saturday. It allows gatherings of more than 50 people as long as precautions are taken. It will now remain in effect for at least another two weeks.

The Republican governor also announced Thursday that he’s moving the state to a regional response system for reopening. Little said that will allow the state’s seven local health districts to evaluate conditions in their areas and decide on restrictions.

Officials said during the last two weeks the number of reported cases of the disease and positive tests trended upward, and the illness among health care workers exceeded allowable limits.