DAILY LOCAL UPDATE COVID-19

Joint Release from Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network

(Douglas County, Ore.) Since Friday, March 27, 2020, Oregon has confirmed 232 new cases, that equates to a 42% increase in just three days.  Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Official, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, officials from Douglas Public Health Network (DPHN), Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Emergency Management, Aviva Health, CHI-Mercy Medical Center, Evergreen Family Medicine and Umpqua Health Alliance continue to stress the importance of following the, “Stay Home, Stay Safe” guidelines set forth by the state.

Local COVID-19 Test Results

As of 12:00 pm, Sunday, March 29th, 2020, County Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer announced one new positive case of COVID-19 in Douglas County, bringing the confirmed number of cases in Douglas County to five. Douglas Public Health Network has launched their epidemiology investigation related to the new case, identifying who this individual may have had contact with.  Identifying information about the newest case is not being released at this time. Close contacts of the confirmed case will be notified by public health.

There are currently 5 positive cases of COVID-19, 183 negative tests, 0 deaths and 0 recovered from COVID-19 in Douglas County. DPHN has set new online tracking system for test results from Douglas County residents.  The goal is to have the chart updated at noon every day.  Residents will be able to go on the website and see the tracking of results.  Again, as a reminder for patient safety, they will not be releasing any identifying information of those that had testing done, or those that have tested positive. If a case comes back positive after that time, DPHN will announce it with a press release and updating their website, until further notice. Go to the DPHN website to view the update: www.douglaspublichealthnetwork.org.

DPHN staff are as frustrated as you with the delay in the testing results.  “Unfortunately, they’ll be back when they are back.  We call every day, several times a day and talk with top level people, and we don’t get any better advice. I am very frustrated,” stated Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer. 

Local COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing Clinic

DPHN hosted the fourth COVID-19 drive-through clinic on Friday, March 27, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, in which they conducted another 39 tests .  DPHN has conducted 134 tests thus far with the drive-through COVID-19 testing clinics.  Residents that were tested were identified by their health care provider, as a patient that is symptomatic, and needed to be tested.  They presented their test order at the drive-thru clinic, their specimen was collected and was then flown to a Quest Lab for processing.  Results will be sent back in about a week to their physician or health care provider that ordered the test.  Those tested are asked to please self-quarantine at home and continue to quarantine for 72 hours after symptoms subside.

At this time, you can only get a COVID-19 test through your healthcare provider. Information has been given to providers and clinics about how to get their patients signed up for the drive-through testing process.  Tests are currently being processed at the Oregon State Public Health Lab and a growing number of commercial labs, like Quest and LabCorp. There are very few outpatient clinics in Douglas County offering testing at this time. Community health partners are working very hard to make testing available to a wider number of people. The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

As of 8:00 am today, Sunday, March 30, 2020, the Oregon Health Authority reported another 69 positive cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, bringing the state total to 548. No new deaths were reported. The number of COVID-19 deaths in Oregon remains at 13. OHA reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

The COVID-19 cases by county are as follows: The breakdown of cases: Washington County 154 cases; Marion County 109 cases; Multnomah County 91 cases; Clackamas County 39 cases; Linn County 36 cases; Deschutes County 23 cases; Jackson County 19 cases; Polk and Yamhill County 13 cases each; Lane County 10 cases; Benton County 8 cases;  Josephine County 6 cases; Douglas, Klamath and Umatilla County 4 cases each; Clatsop and Wasco County 3 cases each; Hood River and Tillamook County 2 cases each; Columbia, Grant, Lincoln, Morrow and Union County 1 case each.  24 Oregon Counties have confirmed cases. (Please note the new case in Douglas County will be updated on the State’s total tomorrow).

Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer

Join Douglas Public Health Network for another virtual town hall Q&A with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer Monday, March 30 at 6:00 pm, on the DPHN Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasPublicHealthNetwork/.

Blood Donations are Critical – New Blood Drives Announced

Leaving home to donate blood is considered a lifesaving and essential need. Here in Oregon, more than 344 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in some 9,194 fewer blood donations, we need you now more than ever. 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 (800) 733-2767.? Donate your blood and save a life. There are a few upcoming blood drives scheduled in Douglas County this week and next. 

Red Cross Donor Center – 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd in Roseburg

• Monday, March 30 from 12:30pm to 6:30pm

Community Blood Drives

• Tuesday, March 31 from 9am to 3pm, First Presbyterian Church, 823 SW Lane Ave, Roseburg
• Tuesday, April 21 from 9am to 2pm, YMCA of Douglas County, 1151 Stewart Parkway, Roseburg
• Tuesday, April 28 from 10:30am to 3:30pm, YMCA of Douglas County, 1151 Stewart Parkway, Roseburg

Commissioners Here to Help Local Businesses with New Relief Programs

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners is working directly with our state and federal partners to develop and implement relief programs for our community and our businesses.  President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that Congress passed on Friday, March 27.  The CARES Act contains programs and initiatives that are expected to help business owners make it through these difficult times.  Once implemented there will be a number of resources available for small businesses, some non-profits and other employers.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed a guide to help you navigate through the new programs and initiatives.  Read the SBA CARES Act guide here. Commissioner Chris Boice has been working with local businesses and economic development partners during the crisis to find support for those dealing with hardships and challenges.  “As more information becomes available on the CARES Act and other relief programs, we will be here to help you find the resources you need to help your business stay afloat as we weather this storm together,” commented Commissioner Boice. 

How to Keep Kids Busy During School Closures

With schools closed, Douglas County parents are facing the question of how to keep kids busy and happy during the day. There are plenty of activities you can do at home or outdoors that are safe, creative and fun! Here are some tips for parents, plus links to helpful resources:

TIPS:

• Structure is important in keeping kids happy and balanced. Try to maintain a normal sleep schedule and meal times, and have a predictable structure to your days. Routine helps kids feel safe.
• Reduce screen time and get outdoors. This is important for the mental health and wellbeing of both kids and adults. County parks offer opportunities for picnicking, hiking, fishing and more, and the $4 parking fee has been suspended.  Or, simply take a walk around your neighborhood. Remember to practice social distancing.
• Get creative and keep your sense of humor. For instance, make funny family videos and post them on social media. Have a talent show in your living room, or create an obstacle course with household items.
• Help your kids remain calm through your example. Here are the CDC’s guidelines for talking to your kids about COVID-19.

ACTIVITY IDEAS & LINKS:

• Keep learning. Scholastic has free daily online courses for preschoolers through ninth-graders. The New York Times’ “The Learning Network” has great educational activities for young people, including writing contests. Great for older children and teens.
• Cooking with Kids – The Food Network’s website offers recipes and tips on fun ways to cook with kids.
• Gardening – Here are HGTV’s tips on gardening with kids.
• Read with your kids. If you get tired of reading stories yourself, watch celebrities like Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner read children’s stories online in a new campaign called “Save with Stories.”
• Children’s author Mo Willems is offering a daily YouTube “Lunch Doodles” program here.
• Indoor activities – Parents.com offers a list of creative indoor activities here.
• Dance! There’s nothing like a good living-room dance party.
• Take a virtual tour – Museums, zoos and other facilities are offering online programs.
• Here is a list of 125 more creative activities you can do with your kids from Parade.com.

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.