Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team - Daily Local Update - July 23, 2020 (Photo) -07/23/20

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the agencies that make up the DCCRT

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 23, 2020

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM – DAILY LOCAL UPDATE

 

(Douglas County, Ore.) In response to the large uptick in positive test results today, Commissioner Tim Freeman, issued a statement about the increase in local positive test results, stating, “Today serves as a wakeup call for everyone in Douglas County. This virus is still very active, and it’s in Douglas County. It seems too simple to be true, but the way we stop the spread of this virus is to follow these simple recommendations: maintain a six-foot physical distance from others, wash your hands often, avoid group and social gatherings, wear a face covering where recommended, stay home if you are sick, curtail your travel and discourage those traveling from visiting you. It’s really that simple.”

 

Additionally, Douglas Public Health Network has designed and released a new information graphic today to encourage citizens to continue to help us keep our communities safe and strong and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by following the three W’s – wear, watch and wash.

 

Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: It is Thursday, July 23, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are TWENTY people with new positive test results since our noon case update yesterday. The total number of cases (people with positive test results and presumptive) in Douglas County is now at 107*. 

 

Sadly, today we reported the largest single day increase of people with new positive test results since our first positive COVID-19 test result was reported on March 8, 2020.  Click here to read the more in the DCCRT's Noon Case Update for today, Thursday, July 23, 2020.

 

Douglas County, OR - COVID-19 - Case Update
Date	Sunday, July 19, 2020	Monday, July 20, 2020	Tuesday, July 21, 2020	Wednesday, July 22, 2020	Today, Thursday, July 23, 2020
Total COVID-19 Cases	86	88	90	92	107
People with Positive PCR Test Results	75	76	77	78	98
Presumptive	11	12	13	14	9
Total Currently Hospitalized	0	0	0	1	1
Total Currently in Isolation	24	26	27	24	37
Total COVID-19 Related Deaths	1	1	1	1	1
Total Negative Test Results	6517	6604	6703	6781	6958

 

*Our daily update includes the total number of cases in Douglas County, which combines people with positive test results and presumptives. We provide a breakout of the people with positive test results and presumptives in the chart above. Please note there will be times when a presumptive will move to a positive test result, and our total case number will not change because the case has already been counted, instead you will see an adjustment to our breakout numbers for positive test results and presumptives.

 

We Continue to Emphasize Caution Regarding Travel: The majority of our new positives have been directly linked to travel outside Douglas County, and especially those residents that have chosen to travel outside of Oregon.  Whatever your reason for traveling, we encourage you to please consider the risk and travel in a COVID-19 safe manner.  The COVID-19 virus is still here, still infectious and will be around for quite some time. Current data from CDC and OHA shows that traveling and coming into contact with people from other areas DOES significantly increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. So, before you travel, attend a party or invite your relatives from out of state to visit, you need to assess the risk to you, your family and to your local community. The bottom line is that each and every person needs to take personal responsibility for their actions and adopt the proper precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Click here for the link to our article about COVID-19 Travel Advice.

 

It also should be noted that the increase today does not change our overall test percentage of positive and negative results.  OHA expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management to now include presumptive COVID-19 cases in their total case number.  DPHN is reporting the number of people with new positive test results and any new presumptives, and uses 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.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  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 and isolation.

 

Previously, we used the OHA definition for recovered that considered people recovered if they were 10 days from onset and symptoms were improving.  As more is learned about COVID, the clinical definition of recovery is evolving.  Due to the evolving nature of this definition, we have removed the column in our chart listing our recovered cases.  We added the number of those in isolation that roughly correlates with the number of active cases.  The DCCRT noon case and daily update will report the Total Number of COVID-19 Cases, the number of positive test results (as of 12:00 pm that day), the number of presumptive, total currently hospitalized, total currently in isolation, total COVID-19 deaths and total negative test results in Douglas County.  Currently, DPHN is supporting 37 cases in isolation.

 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through testing clinic will be Friday, July 24, 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 1142 people tested in 51 drive-through clinics, while additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics.  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 (OHA) reports new cases once a day on their website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. OHA also releases a daily situation status report and a weekly report that details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within our state.  The daily report details positive and presumptive cases, as well as deaths by county and statewide, while the weekly report is more in depth and includes statistical data related the severity of cases by age, gender, zip codes, ethnicity, as well as information on workplace and senior care facility outbreaks in Oregon. Find additional information on the state or federal COVID-19 response go to Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and 211Info.

 

Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer

Join us Friday, July 24, 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.

 

State Extends Emergency Orders for Most Common Types of Insurance

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Division of Financial Regulation extended thier emergency orders for property and casualty, long-term care, and life and disability insurance.  The orders mean that the most common insurance policies, such as auto, home, term and whole life, and long-term care, provide one-time minimum grace periods for people to pay premiums and protect people by mandating how long claims must be paid. See this chart for details.   Three of the orders - long-term care, life and disability, and the order for all other lines of insurance - will be extended until August 21, 2020.  The property and casualty order will be extended until July 31, 2020. The division is working with industry representatives to update the property and casualty order. Extending the current order through the end of the month provides time to finalize a new order that better reflects current needs while protecting Oregonians who are unable to pay their insurance premiums because of the pandemic. The division plans to issue a new property and casualty order by August 1, 2020.  The emergency order extensions can be found on the division's COVID-19 regulated businesses page.  Consumers can visit the division's COVID-19 consumer page for more information about the emergency orders and additional insurance and financial services topics.

 

Pacific Power Extends Help for Customers Behind on Bills

Pacific Power issued a press release today offering to provide assistance and payment options for paying their electric bills.  With many Pacific Power customers experiencing difficulties paying bills in the wake of the COVID-19 emergency and the associated economic downturn, the company is encouraging customers to speak with a Pacific Power customer care representative who can help provide peace of mind and assistance.  Pacific Power understands the uncertainty many of their customers are facing and already temporarily suspended disconnects earlier this spring. The company has several important resources available for those facing difficulty paying electric bills, including setting up a flexible payment plan, connecting with services offering financial assistance, and evaluating energy usage for insights on reducing costs. When speaking with a customer care representative, customers can request more time to pay bills or set up a payment plan tailored to their circumstances. Customers can also enroll in Equal Pay to even out seasonal bill differences. It’s easy to make payment arrangements online, too.  Customer care representatives can connect customers with energy assistance through Oregon Energy Fund or Project HELP in Washington and California to help pay bills. To make a bigger impact for their neighbors facing financial hardships, Pacific Power matches contributions to these programs 2-to-1 for those wanting to help others in the community.

“Helping customers through this difficult time as we provide safe, reliable power is our number one priority.  Customers can visit www.pacificpower.net/billhelp or call us at 1-888-221-7070. Customer care representatives are always available and ready to help,” stated the press release. 

 

As a reminder, scammers are actively targeting energy customers in our region. If you receive a call, text or email threatening to shut off your power unless you pay immediately, it’s a scam and you should report it immediately to Pacific Power and/or the Oregon FBI Office.

 

Red Cross: Urgent Need for Blood Donations Continues

Summer is historically a season of fewer blood drives and lower donor turnout due to school breaks and travel. Although this summer looks different, the dip in blood inventory remains as hospitals resume surgical procedures and blood drive cancellations continue as some businesses and community organizations remain closed or have limited appointments. The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need. 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.

 

Local Blood Drives:

Appointments are required, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767 to schedule today.

Friday, July 24            9:00 am – 3:00 pm        Roseburg Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Monday, July 27         1:00 pm – 6:30 pm        Roseburg Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Tuesday, July 28         10:00 am – 3:30 pm      City of Oakland Community Drive, 637 NE Locust St., Oakland

Wednesday, July 29    12:30 pm – 6:00 pm      Sutherlin Community Center, 150 S Willamette St., Sutherlin

Friday, July 31            9:00 am – 3:00 pm        Roseburg Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Monday, August 3       1:00 pm – 6:30 pm        Roseburg Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Monday, August 3       12:30 pm – 5:30 pm      LDS Church, 2001 W. Bertha Ave., Roseburg

Tuesday, August 4       9:00 pm – 3:00 pm        Roseburg Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Wednesday, August 5 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm        LDS Church, 340 NW Glenhart Ave., Winston

Friday, August 7         10:30 am – 4:30 pm      Roseburg Blood Donation Ctr., 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

 

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.  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.

 

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans or New Rules?

If you have questions or need more information about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, Sector Specific or other State Orders go to the Governor’s COVID-19 website at https://govstatus.egov.com/reopening-oregon or call Business Oregon's Navigator Hotline at (833) 604-0880. 

 

Who Do You Contact to Report Compliance Issues with the Governor’s Orders?

Please do not call 911, law enforcement or Douglas County offices to report compliance issues with the Governor’s orders.  The Governor has directed the State of Oregon offices for Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) to be the enforcement agencies responsible for ensuring restaurants, bars, and other businesses comply with COVID-related rules.  Read the Governor’s official press release on enforcement here.

 

For more information or to report compliance issues concerning the Governor’s COVID-19 orders directly contact:

OSHA at (800) 922-2689 or log onto the OSHA website

OLCC at (503) 872-5000 or log onto the OLCC website 

 

 

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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