DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY LOCAL UPDATE
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 29, 2020
Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT
(Douglas County, Ore.) This weekend marks twelve weeks since our first positive COVID-19 case was reported in Douglas County, and also day fourteen of our no-less-than, twenty-one day Phase One Reopening trial-period from the Governor. We are hopeful that the concerted efforts of our Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, our Douglas County Board of Commissioners, our Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, the staff at the Douglas Public Health Network and our proactive citizens, have proven successful in controlling the spread of the virus, and the Governor will allow our County to advance to Phase Two later next week. Our Board of Commissioners are working on submitting our Phase Two request letter to the Governor. As you know, we are not out of the woods yet, so stay vigilant in protecting you and your family’s health, as well as respecting the health and safety of others. Please stay home if you are sick, keep your distance, respect others personal space, practice good hygiene and take care of your mental and physical health. As always, if you are planning an outing, camping trip or hike, be sure to check your local weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: It is Friday, May 29, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there is ONE new case of COVID-19 in Douglas County. The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is now at 27. Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test. Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-three of those twenty-seven have recovered. DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19.
DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered. The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020. Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 27 cases in over 80 days.
Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:
|
New Cases as of 12:00 pm May 29, 2020 |
Total Confirmed Cases |
Total Recovered Cases (of those that tested positive) |
Total COVID-19 Deaths |
Total Currently Hospitalized (of those that tested positive) |
Total Negative Test Result |
Total Presumptive Cases |
|
1 |
27 |
23 |
0 |
1 |
2504 |
0 |
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases. DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19.
Getting Tested & Testing Clinics
The next drive-through COVID-19 test clinic, led by DPHN is set for today, May 29 in Roseburg. There will also be a clinic in Reedsport tomorrow, May 30. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19. Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788.
The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 542 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.
Oregon COVID-19 Case Update
Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Read more here about the daily situation status report.
Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer
Join us tonight, Friday, May 29, 2020 for the next virtual town hall Q&A with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, your Douglas County Public Health Officer at 6:00 pm, hosted by DPHN and found on the DPHN Facebook page.
DCCRT Partner Spotlight: U.S. Forest Service – Umpqua National Forest
The emergencies it typically handles are wildfire-related, but in recent months the U.S. Forest Service has jumped in to help guide the pandemic response locally by participating in the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team. When asked, USFS was pleased to join the DCCRT as one of 14 partner agencies.
“It was a lot of working in very close coordination between the state, federal and local governments in how we were reacting to this pandemic,” said Mark Turney, USFS Public Affairs Officer for the Umpqua National Forest. “By working together, sound decisions were made.” Turney said the DCCRT provided stability and direction to county residents in a time of unsteadiness. “We came together as a largely untested group, and have put out some fantastic products and information,” he said. “Everybody has lent a hand. Without all of us being there together, working as diligently as we have, this wouldn’t have been nearly the success it was, and I think it really was a success for our county residents.”
In addition to its pandemic response efforts, the USFS is preparing for what could be a busy wildfire season in Southern Oregon. There will be some changes this season due to the pandemic – fire camps will be structured differently, and employees who can work remotely will do so – but the advice to the public remains the same as any other fire season: Community members should create defensible space around their homes, report any smoke they see, and be extremely cautious when building a campfire or any other fire. “If you start a fire, make sure it’s out 100 percent,” Turney said. “Coals should be cool to the touch before leaving your site or going to sleep.”
State Issues Emergency Orders for Insurance Premiums and Payouts
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Division of Financial Regulation issued an update to their original March 25 COVID-19 emergency orders that will extend the grace and pay periods for most consumer insurance policies. These orders transition the most common insurance policies, such as auto, home, term and whole life, disability and long-term care from rolling 30-day grace periods established by the original order, to longer minimum grace periods to pay premiums. It also mandates how long claims must be paid for each type of insurance in order to protect consumers. See this chart for details. In addition to these orders, the department issued a similar order for health insurance earlier this month. This process provides two important protections for Oregon consumers: A sustainable way for insurance customers to keep up with premium payments without falling too far behind and insurance protection for a specific number of days for customers that are in a grace period. “Grace periods are an important resource for people during this pandemic, and the assurance that claims will be paid provides critical peace of mind,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner and acting DCBS director. “It is encouraging to see insurance companies provide grace periods and coverage while Oregonians work to keep their insurance premiums current and the state works to reopen.” They encourage Oregonians to visit the division’s COVID-19 consumer page for more information on these orders and several other insurance and financial services topics. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider. If you have questions about an insurance company or agent or need to file a complaint, contact the division’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).
Update: Greater Douglas United Way – Local COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
The Greater Douglas United Way (GDUW) set up a local COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund in March 2020. 100% of the donations will go to help local people in need as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. GDUW pledged that they will not be charging any administrative fees on the fund. To date, they have raised just over $78,000 for local COVID-19 efforts and have disbursed around $6o,000. Local agencies that have received funds include: Meals On Wheels-Roseburg (Friendly Kitchen); Salvation Army; Battered Persons Advocacy; Family Development Center; Phoenix School; Douglas CARES; Glide Helping Hands and Fish Food Pantry. They have also utilized funds to help with a community mobile shower trailer project and a local hand sanitizer project. GDUW focuses the funding on basic needs through local nonprofits, childcare needs, and other basic needs for people affected by the pandemic. Deposits can be made at any Banner Bank location using the GDUW COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. More information at: GDUW website.
Red Cross Blood Shortage – Sign Up and Give Blood Today
During this uncertain time, the Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets, you are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible. Donate your blood and save a life. Appointments are required, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767 to schedule your appointment today.
Monday, June 1 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm LDS Church - Roseburg , 2001 W Bertha Avenue
Tuesday, June 2 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Roseburg Blood Donation Center, 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd
Thursday, June 4 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm LDS Church – Winston, 340 NW Glenhart Avenue
Friday, June 5 11:00 am - 4:30 pm Roseburg Blood Donation Center, 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd
Friday, June 5 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm Drain Church of Christ, 401 2nd Street
Stay Informed with the Accurate Information
Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020. Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week. Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website. Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.
Got Questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan?
If you have questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phase One Reopening Plan.
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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us
Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org