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 – August 4, 2020
DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE DAILY UPDATE
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: It is Tuesday, August 4, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are TWO people with new positive test results and FOUR new presumptives since our noon case update yesterday. The total number of cases (people with positive test results and presumptive) in Douglas County is now at 140*. Please note that we are listing a new hospitalized COVID patient in our chart below, however they are not a resident of Douglas County, they are from out of state, but they are currently hospitalized locally.
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Douglas County, OR - COVID-19 - Case Update |
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Date |
Friday, July 31, 2020 |
Saturday, August 1, 2020 |
Sunday, August 2, 2020 |
Monday, August 3, 2020 |
Today, Tuesday, August 4, 2020 |
|
Total COVID-19 Cases |
125 |
128 |
132 |
134 |
140 |
|
People with Positive PCR or Antigen Test Results |
120 |
122 |
125 |
125 |
127 |
|
Presumptive |
5 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
13 |
|
|
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|
Total Currently Hospitalized |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total Currently in Isolation |
21 |
19 |
23 |
21 |
24 |
|
Total COVID-19 Related Deaths |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total Negative Test Results |
7762 |
7832 |
7862 |
7970 |
7991 |
*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.
Advisory: Travel, Visiting and Social Gatherings: We continue to stress the importance of accessing your COVID-RISK. (Click here to read our special COVID Report on COVID-RISK issued earlier today). Several of our newest positives test results have been directly linked to travel outside Douglas County, and especially those residents that have chosen to travel outside of Oregon. Reversing the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in our county is really up to YOU, our residents. Contracting the coronavirus is very preventable. The virus is a hazard to your health and the health of those around you. COVID-19 is dangerous in that you could unwittingly expose someone you love to the virus, potentially infect someone with a compromised immune system or cause someone to get seriously ill or die. Data from CDC and OHA show that traveling and coming into contact with people from other areas, especially COVID-19 hot spots, DOES significantly increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Whatever your reason for traveling, going to work while sick, inviting Aunt Sally to come visit or attending a wedding or a party, we encourage you to please reconsider and access the COVID-RISK to you, your family and your community. The COVID-19 virus is still here, still infectious and will be around for quite some time. 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. In addition to limiting travel, not attending social gatherings and staying home if you are sick, we ask you to please follow these simple daily precautions as well: wash your hands, stay six feet apart and wear a mask where recommended.
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 24 cases in isolation.
Getting Tested & Testing Clinics
The next drive-through testing clinic will be today, Tuesday, August 4, 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 1263 people tested in 56 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.
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.
Local Workplace Outbreak to be reported by OHA
The Oregon Health Authority will be reporting a workplace outbreak in Douglas County tomorrow, Wednesday, August 5, 2020. An outbreak of COVID-19 cases has been linked to Mercy Medical Center. OHA started reporting workplace outbreaks of five or more cases in early June, with most cases now reporting as recovered. The OHA weekly report on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 noted that there have been over 110 reported workplace outbreaks in Oregon. OHA’s policy related to workplace outbreaks is to report outbreaks with 5 or more cases and only for workplaces where there are at least 30 employees. Locally, Dr. Bob Dannenhofffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer and the staff at Douglas Public Health Network have been working directly with Mercy and their employees since the first positive case result was returned. Ongoing epidemiology work including communication with contacts of positive cases and additional testing is continuing to happen on site. Both DPHN staff and Mercy officials are supporting their employees that are in isolation or quarantine.
"Douglas Public Health Network has been working closely with Mercy Medical Center providing vital epidemiology investigation and support for this workplace outbreak. We believe it is still safe to seek care at Mercy because they were prepared and they are supporting additional testing while also supporting their staff in quarantine. We are working together to mitigate the transmission to staff, patients as well as the larger community.” stated Dr. Bob Dannenhofffer.
Mercy Medical Center is a rural non-profit community hospital located in Roseburg and is the leading provider of comprehensive healthcare services and programs for the more than 107,000 residents of Douglas County, Oregon. Their history of service in the region dates back more than 100 years to when the Sisters of Mercy raised $12,000 to build Roseburg’s first hospital. The 25-bed Mercy Hospital opened Feb. 22, 1909, on the bank of the South Umpqua River at the intersection of Harvard Avenue and Madrone Street. In 1977, the doors were opened the beautiful new facility on Stewart Parkway. Today Mercy is a sophisticated, 174-bed medical center offering patients throughout the region local access to highly trained medical professionals, advanced technologies and a wide range of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services.
“Since the coronavirus was identified, our organization has been focused on ensuring the safety of our employees and our patients. The employee who tested positive was exposed on their time off, and no patients were exposed due to our PPE protocols. Staff who have tested positive are now in quarantine for two weeks and we will continue to work closely with Douglas Public Health Network as we move forward. I personally want to reassure our community that Mercy remains a safe place to receive health care and we will continue our commitment to safety. From screening everyone who comes facility, limiting visitors, masking both patients, visitors and staff and following the CDC guidelines we are dedicated to ensuring a safe and healing environment.” Kelly C. Morgan, president and CEO.
Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer
Join us tonight, Tuesday, August 4, 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.
Stay Informed Accurate Local Information
Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the Douglas County Government website or the DPHN website. Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team (DCCRT) 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 agencies that make up the DCCRT.
Local COVID-19 Hotline
If you have questions about COVID-19 and available local resources, call the Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline at (541) 464-6550. It is staffed by local volunteers from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.
Questions about Governor’s Reopening Plans or Statewide Rules? If you have questions or need more information about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, Sector Specific Guidelines or her newest Statewide Orders go to the Governor’s COVID-19 website at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19/ or call Business Oregon's Navigator Hotline at (833) 604-0880.
Who Do You Contact to Report Compliance Issues with the Governor’s Statewide Rules?
Please do not call 911, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office 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.
Click here to read the Governor’s official press release on COVID-19 rules compliance.
Click here for the Governor’s latest statewide rules, effective Friday, July 24, 2020.
For more information or to report compliance issues concerning the Governor’s COVID-19 orders contact: OSHA: (800) 922-2689 or OSHA website or OLCC (503) 872-5000 or 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