DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY LOCAL UPDATE
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2020
Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT
(Douglas County, Ore.) The Governor held a press conference today with Oregon Health Authority Director, Patrick Allen and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Dean Sidelinger to discuss her framework for her Phase Two Reopening process. Click here to view the June 3, 2020 press conference. The Governor opened the press conference talking about the fact that it has been 10 weeks since she executed her Stay Home, Saves Lives Order; that this detour from our normal lives has taken longer than expected; and that Oregonians have had to adapt their lives to a new normal. The Governor went on to say that when you compare Oregon to the rest of the United States, we have been quite successful in flattening the curve for transmissions of the coronavirus. But, she said we will continue to live with the threat of the virus until a widely available treatment is found, which according to her will unfortunately will take months and months, not weeks and days.
Now, about Phase Two: The Governor announced that after a minimum of 21 days in Phase One, Oregon Counties that meet specific prerequisites may be able to enter Phase Two as soon as Friday, June 5, 2020. So far, 28 Oregon Counties have submitted request letters to enter Phase Two, including Douglas County. Of the 36 Counties in Oregon; 35 are in Phase One, Multnomah County has yet to begin Phase One and seven counties have not applied for Phase Two. Approval to advance to the next phase will be subject to OHA’s public health guidelines, physical distancing, gathering size limits and sanitization guidelines. She said that counties who will be allowed to enter Phase Two will be announced tomorrow, Thursday, June 4. Our Douglas County Board of Commissioners are hopeful we will be approved to enter Phase Two on Friday, June 5.
State Officials also said that Phase Two will include expanded opportunities for recreational sports, public pools, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades and some additional in-office work. Bars and restaurants will now be able to stay open until midnight and social clubs, civic organizations and faith-based gatherings can meet in larger, physically-distanced groups. Larger venues would be able to offer events for up to 250 guests, if they can comply by the 35 square feet per person distancing guidelines.
In addition to Phase Two guidelines, State Officials discussed that they are planning on reopening public and private schools in September. But, how that will look remains to be seen, as each school district is unique and will have to work individually with the State to develop safe and responsible reopening plans. Further, they announced that college athletes in Oregon could resume training as of mid-June on a limited capacity. The most recent list of her Phase Two guidelines were released today, and should be posted to her Reopening Oregon Website.
Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: It is Wednesday, June 3, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County. The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 28. Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test. Twenty-eight people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-eight 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 28 cases in 87 days.
Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:
|
New Cases as of 12:00 pm June 3, 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 |
|
0 |
28 |
25 |
0 |
1 |
2886 |
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 testing clinic will be Friday, June 5, 2020, in Roseburg. 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-through testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 576 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. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.
Umpqua National Forest Announced Reopening of Some of Their Campgrounds
The Umpqua National Forest announced they are reopening specific developed sites to recreational users. Beginning Friday, June 5, some campgrounds will be reopened to the general public. All campgrounds will be available by advance reservation only through www.recreation.gov. No payments will be accepted at the campground. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov beginning Wednesday, June 3, and must be made two days in advance of your intended visit. Local District offices have no ability to make reservations for you. Unless you have been notified, all existing reservations are still valid.
UNF Opening campgrounds include: Rujada - Cottage Grove Ranger District; Boulder Flat - Diamond Lake Ranger District; Toketee Lake - Diamond Lake Ranger District and Poole Creek - Diamond Lake Ranger District
To align with Governor Brown’s executive order directing people to Stay Home to Save Lives, the Umpqua National Forest will continue the closure of developed recreation sites not listed above, such as the Umpqua Hot Springs and its access trail, South Umpqua Falls, and all cabins rentals and fire lookouts. Please see the current Forest Closure Order #06-15-00-20-415, located on our forest website, for the specific details. This order is in effect until September 30, 2020 and may be modified or rescinded prior to that date. Forest personnel are working to reopen other campgrounds on the forest in the upcoming weeks, but must first mitigate seasonal storm damage and remove trees which pose a safety risk to the public. Further announcements will be forthcoming.
"We are continuing the process of assessing the areas that remain closed and determining when we can safely open them again for the public,” said Alice Carlton, Umpqua National Forest Supervisor. “We are all keeping the health and safety of our employees and the public in the front of our minds as we continue to make other opportunities available.”
They said some facilities, such as vault bathrooms, will remain open for public use. Members of the public wishing to utilize these facilities are doing so at their own discretion and must take all necessary precautions to ensure their own personal health and safety. They cannot guarantee a COVID-19 free facility. It is suggested that as you plan to recreate, you make preparations to provide for your own sanitation and be as self-contained as possible on your outing. They encourage you to review current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and focus on protecting yourself, your family, and your community.?
State Once Again Extends the Emergency Order for Health Insurance Companies
The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services extended its emergency order for health insurance companies through July 3, 2020. The previous order expired today, June 3, 2020. The order requires health insurance companies to do the following for their customers during the COVID-19 outbreak:
- Provide at least a 60-day grace period to pay any past-due premiums
- Pay claims for any covered services during the first 30 days of the grace period
- Extend all deadlines for reporting claims and other communications, and provide members with communication options that meet physical distancing standards
The order is in effect through July 3 and will be extended in 30-day increments during the course of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Read the complete health insurance order; Read the extension to the emergency order. Consumers and regulated business professionals can learn more about insurance and financial services issues related to COVID-19 by visiting dfr.oregon.gov.
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-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 Phased Reopening Plans?
If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans found online here or Sector Specific Guidelines, you will need to go online, 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.
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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