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 – October 22, 2020
DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY UPDATE
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: The Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team remains committed to our local COVID-19 response. As of 12:00 pm today, Thursday, October 22, 2020, there are FIVE people with new positive test results, THREE new presumptives and ONE death to report since our noon case update yesterday. The total number of cases (people with positive test results and presumptive) in Douglas County is now at 333*. Currently, there are FOUR Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized. One Douglas County patient is being hospitalized out of the area, and three Douglas County patients are being hospitalized locally. Also of note, as of today we have received over 15,000 negative test results and unfortunately, we have also surpassed 300 positive test results for Douglas County residents.
Fifth COVID-19 Related Death of a Douglas County Resident
Our Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, has confirmed the death of our fifth Douglas County resident from the COVID-19 virus. Our fifth COVID related death is a 64-year-old man who was found deceased on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at his residence in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. During the post-mortem investigation conducted in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office, DPHN and the Oregon Public Health Lab, multiple COVID-19 tests were performed and all returned positive test results. Further, it was discovered, unbeknownst to DPHN, that he was directly linked to a positive Douglas County case that is currently in isolation. He apparently had been sick with symptoms of the virus, but had not been tested for COVID-19 prior to his death. He is the first post-mortem COVID-19 related death recorded in our county. In the interest of privacy for the individual’s loved ones, no additional information will be released. Each death related to COVID-19 is painful for all Douglas County residents, and a reminder of the terrible impact COVID-19 has had in our local communities. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN staff and the DCCRT Team continue to extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to all family members, friends, relatives, co-workers and community members of those who have passed after contracting this deadly virus.
“This is an incredibly heartbreaking situation. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners are profoundly saddened by the death of a fifth county resident from the coronavirus. To the family and friends of this beloved community member, on behalf of my family, my fellow Board of Commissioners, Dr. Dannenhoffer, DPHN staff and the DCCRT team, we send our sincere condolences and prayers,” commented Commissioner Tim Freeman. “This is again a solemn reminder that the COVID-19 virus is still active in our communities. We continue to urge all of you, as the citizens of Douglas County to take all the appropriate precautions to protect yourselves, the ones you love, and help stop the spread of this virus!”
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Douglas County, OR - COVID-19 - Case Update |
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Date |
Sunday, October 18, 2020 |
Monday, October 19, 2020 |
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 |
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 |
Today, Thursday, October 22, 2020 |
|
Total COVID-19 Cases |
316 |
319 |
328 |
333 |
341 |
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People with Positive PCR or Antigen Test Results |
282 |
285 |
294 |
298 |
303 |
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Presumptive |
34 |
34 |
34 |
35 |
38 |
|
Total Currently Hospitalized |
4 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
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Total Currently in Isolation |
44 |
49 |
43 |
45 |
49 |
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Total COVID-19 Related Deaths |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
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Total Negative Test Results |
14,692 |
14,752 |
14,843 |
14,930 |
15,049 |
*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.
Please Join Us in Helping to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 In Douglas County
During the difficult times of this pandemic, the DCCRT Team, under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, along with Dr. Dannenhoffer and Douglas Public Health Network, would like to remind residents of the importance of being kind to one another and to take extra care in helping us to slow the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect your health, your family’s health and the health of our communities. Today we had another surge in cases, along with the sad report of another death. We know we keep reiterating this message, but our primary focus is to do everything we can to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our citizens. Today, as noted above, we reported a significant spike in new cases. With the onset of cold/flu season, holiday happenings on the horizon, some schools people yearning for social activities and parents already expressing remote teaching fatigue, it’s important that everyone get back on track with COVID-19 prevention measures. It is definitely not the time to forgo your preventative COVID-19 health and safety measures. If you still want to partake in social activities, we ask that you do so with safety and COVID protection in mind. The DCCRT team continues to encourage residents to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities by practicing prevention measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Residents can help to protect themselves, their families and our communities from the spread of COVID-19 by following these simple, basic health and safety precautions:
- Make a habit of washing and sanitizing your hands. That means washing after you eat, touch new surfaces, go to the bathroom, go to the store, go to the post office or after a meeting. Remember also to try to avoid touching your face as much as possible.
- Stay at least six feet apart from anyone that is not from your immediate household. This means paying attention to the distance stickers at the store, the bank, at restaurants and at businesses. Please be respectful and polite, by giving people ample space.
- Stay home from work, school and play if you are sick. This includes not running errands or going shopping or inviting visitors to your home. If you need help, reach out to friends, family or utilize an app or businesses that offers no contact deliveries.
- Minimize travel, especially out of the state and limit visitors to your home.
- Wear a mask were recommended.
Our recent cases can be attributed to travel and unwitting and unintentional behavior by residents choosing to attend or host social gatherings where COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing, food preparation, hand washing and masks are not being followed. Cases have been linked to social gatherings including: birthday parties, weddings, funerals, prayer groups, play dates, visiting family members and school events. Again, we ask that you take a moment and revisit how you are socializing and please protect yourself and your loved ones from the spread of this virus. Please stay safe and remember to be kind to others. Stopping the increase of COVID-19 cases in our county is really up to YOU, our citizens.
UPDATED: OHA Definition for Recovered
We wanted to let you know that as per the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Investigative Guidelines, the number of recovered is no longer being assessed or reported. Up until May 1st, 2020 recovery from COVID-19 was defined as being afebrile (not feverish), without the use of antiphyretics (medicine to reduce a fever), and having resolution of cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea for at least 72 hours. As more was learned about symptoms, recovery and contagious period, the definition of recovered changed. Beginning May 1st, OHA stopped reporting recovered cases while also separating recovery from contagious or isolation period. Many cases were no longer contagious as they were outside of the contagious period, but still having lingering symptoms. To be consistent with OHA and to adapt as we learn more about this new virus, we removed the column in our chart listing recovered cases. At that point, we added the number of those in isolation, roughly indicating active or infectious cases of COVID-19.
Currently, DPHN is supporting 49 cases in isolation, as well as another 179 contacts in quarantine in Douglas County. Isolation is recommended for confirmed and presumptive cases, quarantine is recommended for contacts of confirmed or presumptive cases. This number represents a snapshot of the significant amount of work being done by our county and our public health to help control the spread of COVID-19.
Getting Tested & Testing Clinics
The next drive-through testing clinic will be Friday, October 23, 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 1682 people tested in 83 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.
Oregon COVID-19 Presumptive
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 or antigen 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.
COVID-19 Travel Caution: Please Limit Travel, Social Gatherings and Visitors
We will continue to encourage residents to be cautious about traveling or inviting people from outside our county, and instead encourage our residents to delay travel, consider stay-cations and reschedule visits from out-of-the-area friends and family to a later date. We continue to identify people with positive test results that have chosen to travel out of Oregon to visit relatives or to take vacations. While traveling those individuals and families have come in contact with someone with COVID-19 and brought it back to Douglas County. We have expanded our list of states directly related to our cases though travel, they include Alaska, Washington, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts and Wyoming. A few other cases were the result of a family member coming to Douglas County to visit, brought the virus with them and infected their host family.
Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer
Join us Friday, October 23, 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. In the meantime, check out Dr. Bob’s latest video with his creative ‘Trick-or-Treat’ candy delivery system. As always, please remember be safe and be kind. https://www.facebook.com/DouglasPublicHealthNetwork/videos/661129401468910/
Oakland School District Announces Positive Case
Shared from the Oakland School District. In a notice posted to their website last night, Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Oakland School District Superintendent Patti Lovemark, announced that they were notified by DPHN and Dr. Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer, that a student at Oakland Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19. Oakland School officials have been very proactive in their approach in dealing with this event to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Below is a copy of the notice that was posted yesterday:
“Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
We were notified by Douglas Public Health Network and Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer, that we have had one student test positive for COVID-19 at Oakland Elementary School. We are also working very closely with local public health and The Oregon Health Authority to notify parents of the children in the cohort that the child that tested positive was in and are asking them to quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. If you have not been contacted, then your family is NOT at risk.
“We’ve had a lot of outbreaks lately, but this is an example of a district and a school that has gone above and beyond to prepare and protect students. They have instituted student cohorts to reduce risk and transmission of COVID-19. Their administration is working very closely with DPHN and myself to care for the one positive case and advise parents, families and staff that are close contacts. We deem that the risk is low to the school community and DPHN continues to be available to support the families that are quarantining.” Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, Douglas County Public Health Officer.
If your child was in the same cohort, or a staff member in the same cohort, and need to quarantine, you will be notified by school officials this evening. If you have concerns or questions about COVID-19, please call the Douglas Public Health Network hotline at 541-464-6550, 7 days a week between 8-5:00 pm.
Sincerely,
Patti Lovemark
Superintendent Oakland School District”
For reference: The Oregon Health Authority issues a weekly COVID-19 report that publishes data on schools with in-person instruction, child/day care centers, businesses and care facilities that meet their outbreak criteria. The cut off for that report is Sunday each week, so this event will not be listed until their Wednesday, October 28, 2020 report. As of last week, OHA’s policy related to school outbreaks is to report outbreaks with 1 or more cases in school settings at any place of learning for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, or a subset, with at least 30 students enrolled. Case counts include all persons linked to the outbreak (epilinks), which may include household members or other close contacts of cases, and not just employees, staff or students at the school. According to OHA, the notice is to inform the public of potential COVID-19 exposure and to provide transparency surrounding COVID-19 in schools. School is defined as any place of learning for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, or a subset, with at least 30 students enrolled. This includes, but is not limited to, public schools, private schools, parochial and charter schools. Staff is defined as any person who works full time or part-time at the school, regardless of their position. A volunteer is defined as any person who volunteers onsite. OHA attributes cases through use of what, they define as an epidemiological link or an epilink. An epilink is a place or person or a group who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 have in common, such as a school, workplace, facility or family member. When OHA declares a school or care facility outbreak, which it does on a weekly basis, it does not mean that the location was the source of the outbreak, only that the worksite is the shared “epilink.”
Cobb Childcare and Preschool Announce Temporary Closure Due to Positive COVID Test
Shared from the Cobb Childcare and Preschool. In a notice posted to their official Facebook page at 3:53 pm, Wednesday, October 21, 2020, Cobb Childcare and Preschool in Roseburg, Oregon, announced that they will be voluntarily closing their childcare center and preschool from October 21, 2020 through November 3, 2020, due to a staff member notifying them of a positive test result. Cobb Childcare and Preschool officials, although not required and not considered an outbreak under OHA guidelines, are being very proactive in their approach in dealing with this event to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Below is a copy of the notice that was posted yesterday:
“Cobb Childcare and Preschool is closed through November 3rd in a proactive response to a confirmed case of COVID-19. On October 20th, a staff member notified administration of their positive test result and we immediately took action in accordance with our COVID-19 Action Plan.
While we have not been required by any agency to close, the health and safety of our staff and students are of utmost priority, and we make this closure decision as part of our predetermined protocol and out of an abundance of caution; full closure will allow all families and staff to monitor for symptoms and ensure we are all able to return safely on November 4th.
We are continuing to work closely with the Douglas Public Health Network and are pleased that our stringent health and safety measures and preparedness allowed us to take swift action in response to this isolated incident.
If you have any questions about COVID, please call the DPHN Hotline at 541-464-6550, 8-5:00 seven days a week.”
Further, Cobb Childcare and Preschool Executive Director, Jessica Gaul, stated, “While we have not been required by any agency to cease operating, the health and safety of our staff and students are of utmost priority. We made our temporary closure decision in accordance with our existing COVID-19 Action Plan and out of an abundance of caution. A full closure will allow all families and staff to monitor for symptoms and ensure our return on November 4th. We are pleased that our stringent health and safety measures and preparedness allowed us to take swift action in response to this isolated incident. We look forward to welcoming our families back and continuing to provide high-quality care and early education for Douglas County families upon our reopening. Additionally, we would like to stress the continued importance of consistent health and safety measures such as increased frequency of environmental sanitation, consistent mask-wearing in shared spaces, frequent hand washing, and accurate daily health checks as our community continues to navigate this pandemic."
REMINDER: Aviva Health: North Douglas County Free Flu Shot Clinics
Shared from Aviva Health. Flu season is upon us and the Aviva Health’s North County Clinic will be hosting free, no appointment necessary flu shot clinics on Friday, October 23, 2020, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and again on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Aviva Health North County Clinic is located at 316 West A Avenue in Drain. Click here for the event flyer. For more information about the free flu shot clinics contact Aviva Health at (541) 672-9596, or by email at info@aviva.health or by logging onto their website at www.aviva.health or their social media at www.facebook.com/avivahealthor
REMINDER: Drive-Thru Flu Clinic October 30 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Douglas Public Health Network, partnering with emergency management and medical personnel from around Douglas County, will be conducting a second drive-thru point of dispensing (POD) emergency preparedness exercise to practice rapid dispensing of medications during a public health emergency on Friday, October 30, 2020 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The first exercise was on October 16, 2020. The exercise will include dispensing free flu vaccines to community members 6 months and older to the first 300 participants each day. If a widespread disease or other emergency were to occur, it may be necessary for the local health department to activate PODs to dispense large amounts of vaccinations, antibiotics or other medicines to the community. This POD exercise is a great opportunity or community members to get vaccinated against the flu and be involved in emergency preparedness planning in Douglas County. POD participants will receive a free flu vaccination administered by area health professionals. They will remain socially distanced in their vehicle throughout the exercise. During the event, participants will be directed through the exercise with local officials and community volunteers. They will be asked to complete a brief intake form, receive medical screening if indicated, proceed to a vaccination station for a free flu vaccine and then exit the exercise. The intake form may be completed and printed prior to arrival by using the Dispense Assist website at https://www.dispenseassist.net/flu.html. These exercises help our community prepare for public health emergencies and are in partnership with several local and state agencies including Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Oregon Health Authority, Aviva Health, Mercy Medical Center, Umpqua Community College and Red Cross.
REMINDER: Aviva Health Offering Veterans Free Flu Shots at 2020 Veterans’ Day Parade
Shared from Aviva Health. Aviva Health is providing area veterans free flu shots at this year’s Douglas County Veterans’ Day Parade Wednesday, November 11, at 11:00 am. Organizers of this year’s event are planning a reverse parade, where floats and other elements of the parade will remain stationary while visitors to the event drive by them in their cars. Proper social distancing and masking guidelines will be followed to protect people from COVID-19. Aviva Health typically hosts a Veterans’ Day event at its Roseburg campus called Vets and Their Pets, but the pandemic forced the organization to cancel this year’s festivities. Still, Aviva Health intends to honor and assist those who have served in a meaningful way.
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LOCAL COVID-19 INFORMATION |
Stay Informed with 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, DPHN 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.
Douglas County Resource/COVID-19 Hotline: (541) 464-6550:
Douglas County Commissioners and Douglas Public Health Network have added a resource and referral service to the current COVID-19 hotline for Douglas County residents. The added service will help residents get connected to resources and services due to the local wildfires. Referral and resource information will be available about local emergency shelters, livestock and animal boarding options, donation locations, volunteer opportunities, welfare check referrals, food and water resources and help with health and wellness questions. This is NOT the hotline for Fire Updates or Evacuation information. Please contact or follow DFPA and DCSO for the most up-to-date wildfire information. The Resource/COVID-19 Hotline is (541) 464-6550. It is staffed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week until further notice.
Questions about Governor’s Reopening or Statewide Rules? If you have questions or need more information go to the Governor’s COVID-19 website at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19/ or call the Business Oregon's Navigator Hotline at (833) 604-0880. For information on COVID-19 in Oregon, call 211 or visit 211info
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 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. For more information or to report compliance issues 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