DAILY LOCAL UPDATE COVID-19
Joint Release from Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network
(Douglas County, Ore.) We understand your concerns and rest assured COVID-19 response is a priority to all of us. We are being proactive in addressing issues as they arise in our county. From medical equipment shortages to testing clinics to economic impacts, your Douglas County Commissioners, along with Douglas County Public Health Official, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, officials from Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN), Douglas County Emergency Management, and our local partners, are ramping up the response to meet new needs and researching every avenue to find resources to help our residents. We would also like to remind residents that like the snowstorm in February 2019, we need to support our first responders, our medical community and most importantly help one another.
“This is trying times for all of us, as we navigate through the unprecedented safety measures and restrictions, but it is never more important to remember to be kind to others, be kind to yourself and be kind to those in our communities. Remember, we are all in this together,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman.
BE KIND to others
Mother Theresa famously said it, and it has never been more important than right now to practice it. Please be kind to others. Be kind in keeping your social distance, covering your cough and staying home when you are sick. But, also please practice patience for the driver that decides to drive 35 in a 40, or the upset child at the store who is crying uncontrollably. You do not know what they might be going through at the moment. Maybe the driver just got laid off and the child just fell and scrapped their knee. So, slow down, take a deep breath, wash your hands and offer a smile.
BE KIND to yourself
For many of us, our everyday lives have been turned upside down. Everyone is experiencing stress in a different manner. Kids are out of school, sports have been canceled, vacations interrupted, people are being laid off and you can’t eat at your favorite diner. Just a reminder to take care of yourself. Eat health foods, get enough sleep, exercise regularly and create some ‘you’ time during the day…read a book, knit a scarf or binge watch that TV show you’ve been wanting to see for months. And, yes, practicing social distancing can include walking, hiking and bicycling. According to the Oregon health Authority, “Getting outdoors is good for your body and soul. Just be sure to maintain six feet between you and people you encounter. Eating healthy, getting exercise and plenty of sleep are important ways to help keep your body resilient.”
BE KIND to your community
Take time to volunteer or donate in your community. There are numerous ways you can volunteer: from helping at the call center, to delivering meals to seniors, to signing up with COAD (Douglas County Community Organizations Active in Disaster). Step outside your circle and reach out to neighbors you don’t know. Practice Neighbor Check-10. Set a goal to check-in with 10 of your neighbors or friends every few days. Encourage others to do the same. If we each take the time to Neighbor Check-10, we can significantly check on most of the residents in Douglas County. If you are able, call, text or knock (if you are healthy) on your neighbor’s door to make sure they are doing ok. Offer to pick up groceries, run errands or deliver a hot meal. It is important to take care of one-another during this crisis. Remember, we are all in this together.
Oregon COVID-19 Case Update
Sadly, another life has been lost to complications associated with the COVID-19 virus in Oregon. This bring our death toll in Oregon to five, as of Sunday, March 23, 2020. Additionally, the Oregon Health Authority announced that they have identified 24 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 161. The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (1), Deschutes (1), Lane (1), Marion (3), Multnomah (1), Washington (13) and Yamhill (2).
The breakdown of cases: Washington County 55 cases; Marion County 22 cases; Linn County 19 cases; Multnomah County 19 cases; Clackamas County 12 cases; Deschutes County 10 cases; Yamhill County 6 cases; Benton and Lane County 4 cases each; Jackson and Umatilla County 2 cases each; and Douglas, Grants, Klamath, Union, Josephine and Polk County 1 case each. Sunday’s COVID-19 death was in Linn County. He was a veteran in his 90’s, who tested positive on March 11, and died this morning at the Oregon Veterans Home. He had underlying medical conditions.
Local COVID-19 Testing
DPHN is still awaiting test results for both the 17 samples taken at the first COVID-19 drive-through testing clinic piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, as well as, the 35 samples taken at the Friday, March 20 clinic. The second successful drive-through test was conducted on Friday, March 20. Residents that were tested were identified by their health care provider, as a patient that was symptomatic, and needed to be tested. The hope is to gather enough testing materials and PPE to do these clinics twice weekly for several weeks. We do not have a third clinic scheduled yet, but are aiming for next week. As a reminder, you can only get a COVID-19 test order through your healthcare provider.
Remember to Continue to Donate Blood
Donate your blood today and save a life. According to the American Red Cross, as new safety limitations on work and travel are implemented in the state, it is important for people to understand that leaving home to donate blood is considered a lifesaving and essential need. Those who are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets, are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting www.RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).? There are several upcoming blood drives scheduled in Douglas County next week.
Red Cross Donor Center – 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd in Roseburg
Community Blood Drives
Next Facebook Live COVID-19 Q&A with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer
Join Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer for the next Facebook Live COVID-19 Q&A session on Monday, March 23, 2020 starting at 6:00 pm on DPHN Facebook page. Questions are welcome in the comments section and will be answered as time allows.
Stay Informed with the Accurate Information
Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Official, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, officials from Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN), Douglas County Emergency Management, Aviva Health, Mercy Medical Center, Evergreen Family Medicine and Umpqua Health Alliance have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely COVID-19 information and response to Douglas County residents. If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550.
Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website at www.douglaspublichealthnetwork.org. Find additional information on state, federal and international COVID-19 response from the following websites: Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and by calling or logging onto 211Info.