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 – January 15, 2021
DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY UPDATE
(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: As of 12:00 pm Today, Friday, January 15, 2021, there are TWENTY-THREE (23) people with new positive test results 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 1,659*. Currently, there are ELEVEN (11) Douglas County COVID-19 patients that are being hospitalized, eight locally and three out-of-the-area. Our Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, under the direction of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, who administer our local public health program and oversee the work by Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Officer and Douglas Public Health Network, continue to devote all resources available to our local COVID response.
Vaccine Distribution to Local Public Health
The latest round of available vaccines (500) that were sent to Local Public Health less than 48 hours ago, have been deployed to our approved local health care providers (vaccinators) in Douglas County. They are quickly working to vaccinate the current identified list of ELIGIBLE Douglas County residents in accordance with the priority group guidelines and criteria set by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Right now, they are still working through the identified priority populations in the first group; which include health care workers, long term care workers, home care workers, EMS and first responders. (Click here Oregon's most up-to-date list of eligible residents). To date, we have not received enough vaccines to move to the next phase or wave, or to hold a large community event. But, that does not mean that we are not prepared for a local vaccination event. Our team is ready, able and willing to do an event, all we need is the vaccine. So, we ask for your continued patience, as we work through the maze of changes, logistic issues and limited vaccine distribution.
|
Date |
Monday, January 11, 2021 |
Tuesday, January 12, 2021 |
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 |
Thursday, January 14, 2021 |
Today, Friday, January 15, 2021 |
|
Total COVID-19 Cases |
1,575 |
1,596 |
1,622 |
1,636 |
1659 |
|
People w/ Positive PCR or Antigen Test Results |
1,489 |
1,510 |
1,536 |
1,549 |
1572 |
|
Presumptive |
86 |
86 |
86 |
87 |
87 |
|
Total Currently Hospitalized |
8 |
9 |
8 |
11 |
11 |
|
Total Currently in Isolation |
172 |
158 |
173 |
164 |
163 |
|
Total COVID-19 Related Deaths |
42 |
42 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
|
Total COVID-19 vaccines distributed to Local Public Health and Total administered to eligible residents |
--- |
--- |
400/400 |
900/400 |
900/400 |
*Our daily update includes the total number of cases in Douglas County, which combines people with positive test results and presumptives, as well as a breakout of those case numbers. 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. We added a new line to provide an accurate total of the number of vaccines that Local Public Health has received to date, as well as the number we have administered to eligible residents. Our numbers do NOT include other sites like the Roseburg VA, Mercy Medical Center, EMS, Cow Creek Tribe and local care facilities that received their vaccines directly from the Federal and State Government in order to begin direct vaccinations to the first priority group.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Low Supply vs High Demand
We wanted to let you know that even though you have heard reports that the CDC and OHA are making changes to the vaccine eligibility guidelines, it does not mean that the vaccine is available for everyone that is eligible in Douglas County at this time. It is a supply and demand issue, that we have no control over. While there is demand, and far more people that are eligible and want to get the vaccine, unfortunately the supply chain of vaccines has not caught up to the current demand for them. We continue to submit requests to OHA daily for more vaccines to be sent to Douglas County, so we can move forward with vaccinations for everyone that is eligible.
Additionally, as Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, our Douglas County Public Health Official stated yesterday, “We do NOT have guidelines or rules on the changes yet, so we are continuing with the current prioritization levels until we receive those new rules and guidelines. Our focus remains on our most vulnerable populations, including first responders, those who live in nursing homes and health care workers that serve vulnerable populations. We want to distribute vaccine quickly, fairly and in a manner that prioritizes those who are most at risk for serious illness and death from COVID, especially our senior population. But, we also recognize that eligibility for a vaccine, and availability of the vaccine, are not yet aligned. We are working diligently with our state health partners to find a remedy for that. If you want the vaccine, we want you to have it, and are working 24/7 to make that happen.”
Rest assured, that when the new rules are finalized, and we start to receive more vaccines, we will begin to systematically offer them to additional eligible populations in an orderly, fair and equitable manner. DPHN, through our Local Public Health Authority and Administrators, our Douglas County Board of Commissioners, have set up a new email address for questions about COVID-19 vaccines in Douglas County. DPHN will do their best to respond with the most current information we have, sign up vaccinators and volunteers, and connect those that are eligible for the vaccine with those that have the vaccine, as soon as the vaccine becomes available. For answers to questions about vaccine eligibility, availability and volunteer opportunities, please email vaccines@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org
COVID-19 Vaccine Information in Oregon
Again it is important to note that we are not the ones setting the guidelines for vaccines eligibility or distribution. We are following the current priority group guidelines and criteria set by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). We understand that our residents have many questions, so do we. Like you, we are patiently awaiting more vaccines and more information. If you have questions or need more information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon, check out the resources listed below. In the meantime, we ask that you be patient and continue to follow the well documented recommendations for COVID health and safety.
- OHA COVID-19 Vaccine website: https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/
- General Questions: COVID19.vaccine@dhsoha.state.or.us or call 211 or (971) 673-2411
- COVID-19 FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the COVID Vaccine in Oregon
Reminder: All Douglas County Businesses Have the Ability to Be Open
We announced earlier this week that Douglas County residents and businesses would remain in our current State mandated risk level. The State of Oregon notified Douglas County that Douglas County will remain in the High Risk Level for the next two-week period, beginning today, Friday, January 15, 2012, and continuing through Thursday, January 28, 2021. This risk level allows ALL of our local business the opportunity to be OPEN, with some limitations on capacity. We want to continue to thank our residents and businesses for staying within the recommended guidelines, and for making good decisions in order for our communities to continue to stay open. The new risk level does not affect the ability of faith based organizations and local school districts to offer in-person services and classes. They are able to make decisions for their own congregations and educational programs.
Reminder: Please Stay Safe
We will continue to encourage everyone, for the sake of our local businesses, services and residents, to gauge your risk level, and make the best choice in order protect yourself and those around you. We have provided education on the widely proven COVID-19 safety measures, and encourage you to limit your contact with others not from your household, stay home if you are sick and wear face coverings where recommended. We know how important family, businesses and faith are to you, so we ask that you consider all options available in order to eliminate and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities in order to help protect the ones you love, the businesses you love and the places you love to go.
Local Cases Being Supported in Isolation and Quarantine
Currently, DPHN is supporting 163 cases in isolation, as well as another 330 contacts in quarantine in Douglas County. Isolation is recommended for confirmed and presumptive cases, quarantine is recommended for contacts of confirmed or presumptive cases. Currently, staff is supporting an astounding 493 total contacts and cases in isolation or quarantine. This number represents a snapshot of the significant amount of work being done locally to help control the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Information in Oregon
OHA reports new cases daily on their website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. OHA reports include presumptive COVID-19 cases in their total case numbers. The DCCRT separates the number of people with new positive test results and new presumptives, and uses OHA’s definition of presumptive as those 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. DPHN performs their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who test positive, as well as those that may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive while advising and supporting quarantine and isolation. OHA has chosen to no longer report negative test results or recovered cases, so we will no longer be reporting this data in our daily update. Please contact the OHA directly for more information.
Facebook Live with Dr. Bob
Join us Today, Friday, January 15, 2021 at 4:00 pm for the next Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, the Douglas County Public Health Officer. The show is hosted by DPHN on the DPHN Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to submit their questions during the live show or can email questions to: Facebookquestions@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org. Dr. Bob and the DPHN team will do their best to respond to as many questions as they can during the live shows.
Douglas County COVID-19 Hotline (541) 464-6550
Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners and DPHN continue to offer a local resource hotline for Douglas County residents for COVID-19. The hotline provides answer to frequently asked questions, basic information and referrals to resources and services. The Hotline is staffed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.
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ACCESS ACCURATE, LOCAL COVID-19 INFORMATION
Stay up to date with accurate and local COVID-19 information in Douglas County on the Douglas County Government website or Douglas County Facebook page and the DPHN website or DPHN Facebook page. Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer, DPHN and the DCCRT have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.
ACCESS STATE COVID-19 INFORMATION
To access information on the State of Oregon and Federal COVID-19 response go to Oregon Health Authority, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and 211Info. If you have questions or need more information on statewide guidelines or risk levels, go to the State’s Building a Safe and Strong Oregon website or the Governor’s COVID-19 website or call the Business Oregon's Navigator Hotline at (833) 604-0880. Please do not call 911, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office or Douglas County Offices to report compliance issues with the State of Oregon, OHA or 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 guidelines. To report compliance issues contact them directly 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