Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 13, 2020
DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM – SPECIAL UPDATE
FIRST COVID-19 RELATED DEATH OF A DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENT
(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer has confirmed the first death of a Douglas County resident from the COVID-19 virus. The individual passed away at a Texas medical facility on Sunday, July 12, 2020. Dr. Dannenhoffer received notice of the death late today from public health officials in Lubbock City, Texas. The Douglas County resident had traveled to Texas, and while there tested positive and was being treated for COVID-19 at a medical facility in that state. At this time, in the interest of privacy for the individual’s loved ones, no additional information will be released pending notification of family members. This is the first known death from COVID-19 of a county resident. As of noon today, Monday, July 13, the total number of cases (confirmed and presumptive) in Douglas County was at 65. This new case brings our total to 66.
“Today is an extremely heartbreaking day. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners are deeply saddened by the report of our first death of a county resident from the coronavirus. To the family and friends of this cherished individual, on behalf of my family, the fellow Board of Commissioners and the DCCRT team, please accept our sincere sympathies,” said Commissioner Tim Freeman.
In this difficult time, the DCCRT Team, under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, along with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer, and Douglas Public Health Network, would like to remind residents of the importance of following the COVID-19 safety guidelines and taking the necessary measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help to protect your health, your family’s health and the health of our communities.
“We understand that this is a scary time, but if you are taking all of the recommended steps – physical distancing, washing your hands frequently, wearing face coverings where recommended, staying home if you are sick, getting tested if you are sick and making sure to sanitize items and surfaces that have been touched by others, then you are doing everything you can to stay safe and stop the spread,” said Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer.
Stay Informed with Local 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. Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the Douglas County Government website and the DPHN website. Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT. 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.
###
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