TESTING UPDATE

Lane County has four (4) positive COVID-19 test results and one suspected COVID-19 death (1) as of 0800 on March 23.

A total of 173 tests (including testing from private labs) have been conducted for Lane County residents.

DAILY KEY MESSAGES

Lane County Public Health is conducting investigations regarding the four positive test cases. At this time there are no known points of public transmission; however, should that change, Lane County Public Health will make a public announcement.

Lane County continues to urge people to stay home. The droves of people visiting the Florence and Dunes City area over the weekend were disappointing. Unnecessary travel to other communities can serve to spread COVID-19 and place more people at risk – especially along the Lane County coast where most residents are in a high risk category.

Please note: Lane County is holding virtual-only press conferences. The press conferences will livestream on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaneCountyGovernment. You can text your questions to 541-515-8833 during the press conference with your name and media outlet. A higher-quality video will be provided following the press conference.

PREVENTION INFORMATION

We recommend all residents take everyday precautions to prevent the spread of many respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched.
• Take care of your health overall. Staying current on your vaccinations (including the flu vaccine), eating well and exercising all help your body stay resilient.
• Consult CDC’s travel website for any travel advisories and steps to protect yourself if you plan to travel outside of the US.

We further recommend all residents practice social distancing whenever possible:

• Don't shake hands. Avoid unnecessary contact by not shaking hands, hugging or kissing as greetings. Find other, non-contact ways to say hello.
• Leave space. Maintain a 6-foot radius between yourself and others in public spaces. (Droplets that may carry influenza and COVID-19 can commonly travel up to 6 feet.)
• Think it through. Is there a good reason to leave your home? Do you need to go to the store? Can you combine trips to reduce the overall number of trips? Avoid making unnecessary trips and minimize the time you spend outside of your home.

Recommendations for residents who are 60+ or have pre-existing conditions:

Residents who are who are 60 or more years old, and residents who have pre-existing cardio or respiratory conditions, or are immune-compromised are urged to stay home and avoid making any trips.

Examples of pre-existing conditions include asthma, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

We encourage everyone to make use of technology (FaceTime, video calls, and other tools) to stay in touch with senior community members. Isolation can be unhealthy, especially for elderly community members who live alone. Staying in touch can help people remain connected to their loved ones and their communities.

MEDIA BRIEFING DETAILS

March 20 at 10:30 a.m. at www.facebook.com/LaneCountyGovernment. Text 541-515-8833 with your name, media outlet and questions during the press conference and they will be answered as part of the livestream.